Mount Warning National Park
- Introduction
- Fact file
- NSWNPWS 1300 361 967
- NPWS Murwillumbah (02) 6670 8600
Introduction
The looming presence of iconic Mount Warning is at the heart of this national park, a lush rainforest environment on the state’s far north coast. World Heritage-listed, Mount Warning is a remnant of an ancient volcano formed some 23 million years ago. Captain Cook named the peak on his 1770 voyage, to warn mariners of the dangers of offshore reefs. The warm climate and good soil proved ideal for cultivation – cedar-getting and sugarcane, banana, and dairy farming developed after white settlement. The region was traditionally the domain of the Murwillumbah and Moorung–Moobar people, and their law allowed only chosen people to climb Wollumbin, meaning ‘cloud catcher’. Today’s visitors to the park are asked not to climb the mountain.In the rainforest a tangle of buttressed white booyong trees, bangalow palms, woody vines and large tree-hugging epiphytes flourish. Strangler figs and majestic Moreton Bay figs create a dense canopy, and Illawarra flame trees add an unexpected flash of colour. Take particular care of the giant stinging tree – the large, heart-shaped leaves can inflict a severe sting. On the mountain’s more exposed summit, dry heath, tea-tree and wattle grow. Threatened animals include the spotted-tailed quoll, squirrel glider and several species of bats. Birds include the grumpy-looking marbled frogmouth, the paradise riflebird and Albert’s lyrebird, a ground-dweller that rakes the forest floor in search of insects. An enjoyable stroll is the Lyrebird Walk (200 metres, 15 minutes, easy), which leaves from the Korrumbyn Creek area. There are picnic areas at Breakfast Creek and Korrumbyn Creek. A range of accommodation is on offer nearby.
Fact file
Camping
No camping
Location and access
863 km north of Sydney; 12 km south-west of Murwillumbah via Murwillumbah–Kyogle Rd then Mount Warning Rd
Park Information
Size
2380 ha
Where to Stay
Murwillumbah (02) 6672 1340
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