World Heritage Rainforest
“One of our favorite spots to visit, Dorrigo is a beautiful, peaceful and slightly isolated country town on the plateau of Dorrigo Mountain. Access to the National Park, which is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, is found through Dorrigo. You can walk above the rainforest canopy on an elevated boardwalk to the Skywalk lookout. Anticipate spectacular views and breathtaking atmosphere.”
ABOUT DORRIGO
Only an hour’s drive away from Coffs Harbour along the delightful Waterfall Way, Dorrigo is on the doorstep of the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park. Experience breathtaking lookouts, captivating waterfalls and fascinating walks in the beautiful rainforest on the Mid North Coast of NSW.
The lovely, peaceful town of Dorrigo is a perfect starting point for exploring the many incredible natural attractions of the area. You’ll find a number of local accommodation options including sweet retreats, B&B homes, self-contained cottages, the local hotel and the Heritage Hotel Motel, which is a heritage-listed hotel built in 1925.
Or else, for pure luxury, stay at the luxury retreat that is Hermitage Estate, and be chauffeured to area visits. You can enjoy only a 30 minute scenic country drive to spend the day in Dorrigo. You could come and go in a day.
Dorrigo Information Centre is the perfect place to begin your discovery of the local areas to explore. Or you can assess some of the information online beforehand:
Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is the best place to begin your discovery of the ancient World Heritage wilderness. With its superb bush-walking trails and many intriguing animals, a hike through the Rainforest will enlighten and invigorate you. One of the features includes lyrebirds, a native bird with the ability to imitate almost any sound! The Skywalk lookout is breathtaking, and highly recommended.
A popular yearly event is the three-day Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival. Also, with plenty of Trout fish swimming along in the mountain streams, the Trout fishing season begins in October, and lasts for 8 months. That gives you plenty of time to catch up! Among the various tours in the Coffs Harbour region is a two-day long Dorrigo trail bike adventure with Coffs Harbour Detour, which sounds like an exciting adventure.
MUST DO
- Explore World Heritage rainforest
- Visit breathtaking Skywalk lookout
- Drive along the scenic Waterfall Way
- Discover the Crystal Shower Falls
- Spot birds on the Lyrebird Link
FLY INTO COFFS HARBOUR AIRPORT
Coffs Harbour Airport is situated only 4km from Coffs Harbour’s town center. You could take the shuttle bus or a taxi service at the front of the terminal, to make the short journey. Alternatively, rent a car from the hire services available at the airport and explore the region at your own pace. *If you’re a guest staying at Honeysuckle Estate, a private chauffeured luxury car will be waiting to collect you.
Direct flights operate to and from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. There are three operators servicing the region – QantasLink, Virgin Australia and of course Fly Corporate for your own chartered option. Helicopters are also an option, and can land at Hermitage Estate if you are a guest.
GREAT ATTRACTIONS IN DORRIGO
Blackbutt walking track
Watch the ever-changing landscape as you hike along Blackbutt walking track in Dorrigo National Park. Not for the faint hearted, this challenging hike has a couple of steep climbs that will really get your heart racing. Winding through lush bushland, you’ll be captivated. You can read more on their website.
Boutique Shopping
Dorrigo offers local fashions, delightful gifts and a lovely little shopping village for visitors and locals alike. Savour the friendly, relaxed country environment, as you browse the quaint and specialty shops. View more details on this website.
Casuarina Falls Circuit
If you’re feeling energetic, Casuarina Falls circuit traces the ridge line of the Dorrigo plateau, before joining the aforementioned Blackbutt walking track. This wonderful yet very challenging walking track showcases the lush rainforests and enticing scenery of the area. Find out more on their website.
Crystal Shower Falls Walk
Walk through lush rainforest to reach Crystal Shower Falls in Dorrigo National Park, near Coffs Harbour. Enjoy spectacular views from the rocky cavern behind the waterfall.
The walk to Crystal Shower Falls may be one of the shortest waterfall walks in the Dorrigo area, however it is also one of the most captivating, because you can go behind the waterfall itself! Lush rainforest looms above you on the way to the falls, and you might even hear the call of rainforest birds, like fruit doves.
To get to Crystal Shower Falls you’ll need to take the first part of the Satinbird stroll, and then join the Wonga walk. You can leave from The Glade picnic area. If you feel you’d like to explore the rainforest more, you can carry on walking along the Wonga walk. You can find out more a their website.
The Glade Picnic Area
Located not far from the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, The Glade Picnic Area is a fantastic spot for open air barbecues and picnics. It’s set in a peaceful clearing, surrounded by amazing rainforest. The area has great peaceful atmosphere, and you can either wander through the rainforest, or enjoy the spectacular views from the lookout. Find out more on the website.
Don Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes Historical Society Museum
This Museum is Dorrigo’s porthole to the district’s interesting past, and houses the collection of fascinating district and personal histories, artifacts and photographs. The building is open to the public for the purpose of study and research. You can find out more on their website.
Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
You can learn about the National Park’s wonderful flora and fauna in the fascinsating education area at the Dorrigo National Park Rainforest Centre. The centre provides information, a shop, an exhibition and cafe. For more details, you can visit their website.
Dorrigo National Park
Dorrigo National Park is only an hour from Coffs Harbour, yet if feels as if you’re miles and miles away from anywhere. Visit World Heritage listed rainforests on a day trip; it’s a great idea for a school excursion. Magnificent waterfall walks, scenic barbecue areas and lush scenery will captivate you. Find out more on the website.
Lyrebird Link Track
This easy, quick walk from the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is a great place to start your exploration of the World Heritage listed rainforests of Dorrigo National Park. A gently sloping walkway takes you on your way, and is suited for the less adventurous and energetic; families, children etc. Find out more on their website.
Sakura Bonsai Gallery – Dorrigo
Sakura Bonsai Gallery houses some 100 mature and ‘in-progress’ trees; some more than 70 years old! Most are 25 to 40 years old; still very impressive. Most of the bonsai have been started as cuttings or seedlings, field grown. Find out more on their website.
Satinbird Stroll
Bird-watching enthusiasts and visitors looking for an easy introduction to Dorrigo’s wonderful rainforest can’t go past Satinbird stroll, near the popular The Glade picnic area. The rainforest’s abundance of flora and fauna will captivate you. Find out more on their website.
Rosewood Creek Walking Track
The peaceful Rosewood Creek walking track loops through astonishing World Heritage-listed rainforest, waterfalls, and creeks. Start at the Never Never picnic area, and circle counter-clockwise for the best enjoyment. You can view more on the website.
Waterfall Way
The 191km Waterfall Way is one of the world’s most beautiful and interesting scenic drives. The road winds up from the Pacific Highway near Coffs Harbour, through Dorrigo Mountain, and all the way to Armidale on the New England Tablelands. This breathtaking journey is a must-do! Find out more on their website.
Wonga Walk
Enjoy a walk amongst subtropical rainforest and 600-year-old trees along the Wonga walk in Dorrigo National Park! It is home to the Tristania and Crystal Falls. The Wonga walk delivers all the delights of the rainforest – you can find out more on the website.
Dangar Falls
2kms north of Dorrigo town centre is the incredible, breathtaking Dangar Falls. A beautiful 30-metre waterfall set amidst scenic agricultural and dairy farmland, you will be captivated by its power and natural beauty. There’s a convenient car park available, a viewing platform, picnic tables and a walking trail. Read more on their website.
Never Never Picnic Area
While most visitors to Dorrigo National Park visit the Glade Picnic Area, those who prefer a more private and secluded area will enjoy the Never Never Picnic area (Not related to the Never Never River in Gleniffer). Tucked away in the gorgeous interior is a quieter alternative, just past Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. Never Never picnic area is an ideal spot for a real getaway or a private ‘party’! While it’s a bit more of a drive, and preferably accessed with a four wheel drive, it’s a perfectly lovely location. You can read more on the website.
Moonpar Forest drive – Nymboi-Binderay National Park
Gaze in wonder at the giant Tallowwood trees, go for a refreshing swim in Nymboida River and choose between several easy bushwalks while exploring Moonpar Forest drive. This half-day circuit through Nymboi-Binderay is a wonderful tour; find out more on the website.
Red Cedar Falls Walking Track
The rather strenuous hike to Red Cedar Falls is one of suspense, with glimpses of incredible vistas and dramatic World Heritage-listed rainforest. The waterfall is the largest in Dorrigo National Park, accessible by Red Cedar Falls. For the adventurous, you can find out more on the website.
Skywalk Lookout
Directly connected to Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, Skywalk Lookout offers a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding landscape. Perched right on the edge of the escarpment, the views take in Bellinger Valley to the coast. Find out more on the website.