Explore NSW on foot this summer
THE NSW NATIONAL PARKS and Wildlife Service has compiled a list of the 10 best day walks in NSW as part of the International Year of Forests initiative. These tracks highlight the diversity of forests in the state, including rainforests, alpine forests, eucalypt forests, and mangroves.
This collection of walks has something for every level of fitness, including an easy afternoon on the Blue Mountains National Pass walk, or the more challenging Warrumbungles’ Grand High Tops walk.
“They’re a great introduction to the things you can see, do, and discover in our forests,” says NSW National Park Ranger Jacqueline Reid.
There are more than 870 National Parks and Reserves in NSW, protecting 10 per cent of the state and 150 different types of forest. The 2011 International Year of Forests is all about raising awareness of the importance of these and all other forests.
“The livelihoods of 1.6 billion people worldwide depend on forests, along with countless species of plants and animals, so it’s incredibly important for us to protect and nurture them,” said Jacqueline. “National Parks is helping more people fall in love with our forests and hopefully helping us spread the word that these special places are worth protecting – for us, for future generations, and their own sake.”
There are plenty of other ways to explore these forests alongside bushwalking. “From cycling and mountain bike trails to wildlife spotting, scenic drives and incredible accommodation, there’s an experience for everyone,” says Jacqueline.
Here are the 10 best day walks in New South Wales:
Warrumbungle National Park – Breadknife and Grand High Tops Walk
Bring a packed lunch for this one – you’ll have earned it and the extraordinary view from the Grand High Tops, after following the wildflower-mottled banks of Spirey Creek, before climbing to the base of The Breadknife. You’ll have opportunity to get close to this sliver of rock as you follow the narrow spur created by erosion to surrounding rock formations over millions of years.
Type of forest: Dry eucalypt forests and grassy woodlands
Walking distance: 12.5km
Time: Allow five hours
Difficulty: There are some steep inclines to tackle on this walk; average fitness levels are recommended
Price: Entry fees of $7 per vehicle per day apply
How to get there: Warrumbungle National Park is near Coonabarabran, a six-hour drive from Sydney. This loop walk starts and ends at Pincham car park.
Budderoo National Park – Rainforest Loop Walk
The rainforest loop – and its longer cousin, the Falls Walk – is an easy introduction to rainforests. The elevated timber boardwalk makes it a cinch, while also providing a literal bird’s-eye view of one of the best examples of subtropical and warm temperature rainforests in the state.
Type of forest: Rainforests
Walking distance: 1.6km
Time: One hour
Difficulty: Easy. While the first 900m is suitable for all ages and abilities, there is a mid-section of the walk that does not offer wheelchair access
Price: Entry fees of $11 per vehicle per day apply
How to get there: Budderoo National Park is near Kiama, a two-hour drive from Sydney. The walk begins and ends at the Minnamurra Rainforest Visitor Centre.
Dorrigo National Park – The Wonga Walk
This subtropical rainforest track in the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest is shaded by a tall, lush canopy and follows natural terraces and waterways. Highlights include the view of Crystal Shower Falls from the suspension bridge, Tristania Falls, 600-year old trees, colourful fungi and strangler figs.
Type of forest: Rainforests
Walking distance: 5.4km
Time: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy. This trail does have some steeper sections, steps and boulder crossings.
Price: Entry to Dorrigo National Park is free.
How to get there: Dorrigo National Park is near Coffs Harbour, an eight-hour drive north of Sydney. This circuit walk begins and ends at the Glade Picnic Area.
Dorrigo National Park – Crystal Shower Falls
This is considered one of the most beautiful short rainforest walks in NSW. Lush rainforest towers above you on the descent to the falls and when trees are fruiting, the haunting calls of rainforest fruit doves echo in the valley.
This track actually takes you behind the cascading Crystal Shower Falls, where an eroded volcanic ash bed has created a cavern. The rocky roof above is a bold reminder of the eruptive force of a volcano; you can see boulders that were catapulted out on to the volcanic bed before being smothered by lava flows.
Type of forest: Rainforests
Walking distance: 1.5km each way
Time: 1.5 hour round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Price: Entry to Dorrigo National Park is free
How to get there: Dorrigo National Park is near Coffs Harbour, an eight hour drive north of Sydney. The walk begins at the Glade Picnic Area.
Barrington Tops National Park – Honeysuckle Forest Track
From the Honeysuckle day use area on the Barrington Tops Forest Road, this sheltered circuit walk loops through magnificent Antarctic beech forest and thickets of soft tree fern. It’s a special delight in the misty rain, common on the Barrington tops.
Type of forest: Antarctic beech forest
Walking distance: 1km
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Price: Entry to Barrington Tops National Park is free
How to get there: Barrington Tops is near Gloucester, a five-hour drive north of Sydney. The walk begins at the Honeysuckle day use area.
Blue Mountains National Park – Grand Canyon Walk
This classic walk in the world heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park was first established in 1907, taking walkers along the path of a canyon. In places, it avoids deeper and more dangerous sections of the canyon by following a path cut halfway up the cliff – a feat that today offers spectacular views of the valley.
Type of forest Dry eucalypt forest
Walking distance: 5.4km
Time: 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Price: Entry fees are $7 per vehicle per day. *Vehicle entry fees only apply in the Glenbrook area.
How to get there: The Blue Mountains is a 90 minute drive from Sydney. The walk begins from the intersection of Grand Canyon Loop car park and Neates Glen Track.
Blue Mountains National Park – National Pass
National Pass celebrated its 100th anniversary a couple of years back, and it’s still one of the best. This walk offers fantastic views of the Jamison Valley and surrounding cliffs, not to mention stunning waterfalls at both ends of the walk. Highlights would be the paths cut halfway up the cliff face leading toward a crossing of the incredible Wentworth Falls, right next to the aptly named Giant Staircase.
Type of forest: Dry eucalypt forest
Walking distance: 4.4km
Time: 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy, with some sections – such as the Giant Staircase – requiring reasonable fitness.
Price: Entry fees are $7 per vehicle per day. *Vehicle entry fees only apply in the Glenbrook area.
How to get there: Wentworth Falls is also a suburb of the Blue Mountains, a 90-minute drive from Sydney. National Pass is a loop walk, accessible via Conservation Hut.
Washpool National Park – Washpool Walk
Starting from the Coombadjha camping area, this loop walk climbs through rainforest and dry forest then descends to cross the beautiful Coombadhja Creek. You’ll see rare giant red cedar trees, with signs explaining their historical significance. There are many places for quiet contemplation including the pretty Summit Falls. The changing plant life – rainforests of coachwood, crabapple, figs and lilly pillies – is a special feature of this walk.
Type of forest: Rainforest, dry forests
Walking distance: 8.5km
Time: 3.5 hours
Difficulty: There are some steeper sections of this walk which, along with the distance, require moderate fitness
Price: Entry fees of $7 per vehicle per day apply.
How to get there: Washpool National Park is near Glen Innes, a seven-hour drive north of Sydney. The walk begins and ends at the Coombadjha camping area.
Kosciuszko National Park – Charlotte’s Pass to Snowy River
This walk follows the old Summit Road – which has been closed to public vehicles since 1976 – to Mount Kosciuszko. The walk passes through snow gums, heath and herbfields and provides sweeping views of the Main Range and Snowy River. After crossing the Snowy River (4.5km) the walk climbs gradually to Seaman’s Hut (6km), Rawson’s Pass (8km) and the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. A further trail heads back from Mount Kosciuszko to the chairlifts of the Thredbo Alpine Village.
Type of forest: Alpine, grassy woodland
Walking distance: 4.5km each way
Time: 3 hour return
Difficulty: This walk incorporates steep inclines and descents; moderate fitness is recommended.
Price: Entry fees of $16 per vehicle per day apply
How to get there: Kosciuszko National Park is near Jindabyne, a five-hour drive south of Sydney. The walk begins at Charlotte’s Pass.
Kosciuszko National Park – Main Range Track
This track is considered one of Australia’s great day walks. Above the tree-line in the alpine area of Kosciuszko is a 22km loop walk which begins and ends at Charlotte Pass. The track takes walkers across the Snowy River and up over Mt Caruthers towards the summit of Kosciuszko itself, then by Rawson’s Pass and down the hill back towards the starting point. Along the way, visitors will see Blue Lake, Club Lake, Albina Lake, Cootapatamba and Headley Tarn. The best time to do this walk is between December and March when the wild flowers are in bloom.
Type of forest: Alpine
Walking distance: 22km
Time: Dawn to dusk
Difficulty: High levels of fitness are required for this walk. Visit the Snowy region Visitors Centre in Jindabyne to check conditions, register for the walk and hire a Personal Locator Beacon.
Price: Entry fees of $16 per vehicle per day apply
How to get there: Kosciuszko National Park is near Jindabyne, a five-hour drive south of Sydney. The walk begins at Charlotte’s Pass.
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