Werrikimbe National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Introduction

A wild and magnifi cent landscape of rainforests, pristine rivers, cascading waterfalls, rugged escarpment and deep gullies greets visitors to the remote, World Heritage-listed Werrikimbe National Park. Much of the extensive park, on the eastern escarpment of the Great Dividing Range, is a declared wilderness area. Its rich biodiversity supports 22 threatened plant species and at least 24 threatened species of animals.Sprawling across a range of elevations, the vegetation includes cool-temperate and warm-temperate rainforest, fragments of subtropical rainforest, subalpine woodland, and patches of sedge and sphagnum moss and heathland (which fl owers brilliantly in spring) on some higher reaches. Of special note are the ancient Antarctic beech trees. The wild Forbes and Hastings rivers have carved deep gorges on their descent to the coastal plain. Rolling hills sweep across the tableland, canyons gash the landscape and waterfalls spill over the escarpment. At higher altitudes snow can fall in winter and there is heavy rainfall. The varied wildlife includes around 52 species of mammals, over 120 bird species and 48 species of reptiles and amphibians. Kangaroos are regularly seen around the Mooraback camping area.Trails suitable for day walks leave from camping and picnic areas. Mooraback Walk Track leads through lovely snow gum woodlands and heathlands. The Carabeen Walk (1.5 km) from Cobcroft Picnic Area passes temperate rainforest and towering moist eucalypt forest. There is the Brushy Mountain Loop Walk (2.9 km) or, for the more energetic, the Scrub Bird Walk (9 km return) to Spokes Lookout. For 4WD enthusiasts, the 20-kilometre stretch (dry-weather only, 2 hours) of Racecourse Trail cuts across the north of the park and into the adjoining Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Horse riding is permitted on the National Bicentennial Trail.

Fact file

Camping

Mooraback; Plushy Beech; Brushy Mountain; all have wood-fi red barbecues; bush camping permitted

Location and access

500 km north of Sydney; 90 km south-east of Walcha; 80 km north-west of Wauchope via Oxley Hwy, then Hastings Forest Way or Cockerawombeeba Rd (more suited to 4WD) – both routes include gravel roads; can be diffi cult in the wet

Park Information

• NSWNPWS 1300 361 967
• East: NPWS Walcha (02) 6777 4700
• West: NPWS Port Macquarie
• (02) 6586 8300

Size

33 309 ha

Where to Stay

Walcha (02) 6777 1075
Wauchope (02) 6586 4055


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• Campsites

Campsites

Brushy Mountain Campground

In the eastern section of the park, Brushy Mountain Campground is accessed via unsealed Cockerawombeeba Rd or the Hastings Forest Way. The former is 4WD only; the latter only suitable for caravans and 2WD vehicles in dry... Find out more

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Plateau Beech Campground

This campground is in the eastern section of the park on Plateau Beech Rd, 10 km south of Hastings Forest Way. Check with the parks office for road conditions before setting off, and note that the access roads... Find out more

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Mooraback Campground

Mooraback is in the west of the park, accessed by 2WD in dry weather via Mooraback Rd off Kangaroo Flat Rd from the Oxley Hwy. If you have a 4WD, you can access via Racecourse Trail from Brush Mountain. There are a... Find out more

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