Visitor Guide Nightcap National Park and Whian Whian State Conservation Area

Copyright OEH Repentence Creek

things to see and do Camp in the forest at Rummery Park. Take a short walk up Boggy Creek to Minyon Falls. Camping fees apply.

All picnic areas have barbeques, toilets and picnic tables with shelters and information.

Mt Nardi Picnic Area is accessed from Nimbin by a 12 kilometre narrow sealed road. Numerous walking tracks start from Mt Nardi including a link track to the Historic Nightcap Track.

Terania Creek Picnic Area, the scene of historic protests to save the rainforests of NSW from further logging, is located at the end of the Terania Creek Road. The narrow twisting dirt road is 14 kilometres in length, originating in the Channon. This area is subject to temporary closures at certain times of year. Please observe signage to avoid inconvenience.

Minyon Grass Picnic Area is accessed from Minyon Drive and offers the most spectacular views of Minyon Falls from a wheelchair accessible platform.

Minyon Falls Picnic Area is situated on Minyon Drive above Minyon Falls. On clear days there are views to the ocean from the waterfall’s edge, which is accessed from a wheelchair accessible nationalparks.nsw.gov.au platform. For your own safety please stay on the walkway and platform. No abseiling or rock climbing is permitted.

Copyright OEH Rummery Park Camping Area history

Lured by the chance for employment in difficult times, GETTING THERE timbergetters began logging in the Whian Whian area in the 1830’s. The rainforest giant, Red Cedar, was particularly sought You can reach the parks by five separate public roads from the after for its beautiful glowing red timber. south. All are unsealed, with the exception of the access to Mt Nardi. Due to the actions of the Terania Native Forests Action Group between 1976 and 1979, national attention was focused on the The parks are approximately 30 kilometres north of Lismore and extent of logging in the Nightcap area. Nightcap National Park 30 kilometres south-east of Murwillumbah. was declared in 1983, with significant additions in 1999. Whian Whian State Conservation Area was created in 2003. CAO RING F R THE PARK • Leave your pets and firearms at home, as they are not Almost 5000 hectares of Nightcap National Park was given permitted. World Heritage status in 1989 when it was added to the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia (CERRA) group. • Enjoy the wildlife but do not disturb plants, animals, Copyright OEH Minyon Falls bushrock, Aboriginal sites or historic places. All are natural landforms protected. a changing view of the land Spectacular features such as waterfalls play an important part • Be careful with fire. Use only fireplaces provided. Observe The parks are located within the traditional lands of the Widjabul in shaping the natural environment. The precipitous drop of any total fire bans. Minyon Falls is the dramatic result of thousands of years of clan of the Bundjalung Nation. Evidence from recorded sites erosion. Exposed rock pinnacles such as the ‘Sphinx’, which is suggests Aboriginal use of the Nightcap Range for at least the • Use only firewood provided or better still use gas stoves. last 4000 years. visible from Lismore and surrounding areas, are probably the • Firewood is not provided. Bring your own firewood or better result of wind erosion. This area is of major significance to the local Aboriginal people still use gas stoves. and is respected for its rich tradition and value. Minyon Falls • Drive carefully and keep to public roads. All vehicles must are part of a greater cultural landscape that includes other features be registered and drivers licensed. major landmarks such as Mount Warning (Wollumbin) and the Nightcap National Park and Whian Whian State Conservation Pinnacle, in the Border Ranges. • Keep the park clean and safe for wildlife. Please take your Area are situated in far north-eastern New South Wales rubbish home. between Murwillumbah to the north-east and Lismore to the south. Together they encompass about 10500 hectares of the • Observe all signs, as they are there for your safety and to Nightcap Range. help you enjoy your visit. • Keep to walking tracks, as they are designed to have minimal The parks are located on the southern rim of the caldera of impact. the Mount Warning shield volcano. The dominant massifs, sheer cliff walls, lush green gullies and spectacular waterfalls, • Be considerate of other park users – keep your noise to a which make up the parks, are relics of the area’s volcanic minimum. past. • Please do not feed the wildlife. • Drinking water is not provided. natural communities Basalt and rhyolite lava flows from the Mount Warning volcano more information have influenced the vegetation communities in the area. Warm temperate rainforest is found throughout the parks on soils with a rhyolitic base while sub tropical rainforest is supported by NPWS Richmond River Area Office, nutrient rich basalt soils. 7 Northcott Crescent Alstonville NSW 2477. The Nightcap Range has the highest annual rainfall in New South Wales. The subtropical and warm temperature rainforest Tel: 6627 0200 communities found in the parks have links to the ancient Email: [email protected] supercontinent of Gondwana. Nightcap National Park is one of 50 reserves in north-east NSW and south-east QLD which make up the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia World geneRal inquiRies: Heritage area. All of these reserves contain similar vegetation t: 13000PARKS (1300 072 757) communities and provide an insight into the past. Copyright OEH Epiphytes are abundant such a this Elkorn www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

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VISITOR GUIDE Camping facilities

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Lookout Features Caring for the park All access – a broad, hard surface with Nightcap access ramps Nightcap National Park and Whian ● Leave your pets and firearms at home, as they Whian State Conservation Area are N A TIONAL PARK are not permitted. and Whian Whian State Conservation Area Graded – a hardened surface with situated in far north-eastern New South ● Enjoy the wildlife but do not disturb plants, minimal formed steps Wales between Murwillumbah to the animals, bushrock, Aboriginal sites or historic Walking – sections may be hardened north-east and Lismore to the south. places. All are protected. with steps and uneven ground Together they encompass about 10 500 ● Be careful with fire and use only fireplaces Hiking – there is no hardening of the hectares of the Nightcap Range. provided. Bring your own firewood. ground with fallen debris likely The parks are located on the southern ● Drive carefully and keep to public roads. rim of the caldera of the Mount ● Keep the park clean and safe for wildlife. Take Warning shield volcano. The dominant your rubbish home. massifs, sheer cliff walls, lush green ● Observe all signs, as they are there for your Walking tracks 4. Boggy Creek Walk (2 km one way, 45 For reasons of public safety and gullies and spectacular waterfalls, which safety and to help you enjoy your visit. minutes, easy) Starting at Rummery threatened species conservation there make up the parks, are relics of the 1. Big Scrub Loop (1.5 kilometres, Park, this track leads to Minyon Falls is no access to the top of Tuntable Falls. ● Keep to walking tracks, as they are designed area’s volcanic past. walking t r ac k 45s min, moderate). Starting off along beautiful Boggy Creek. The track starts in Access to the bottom of the falls is also to have minimal impact. Gibbergunyah Range Road, visitors Blackbutt forest and includes a series of small Minyon Falls along beautiful Boggy Creek. The track starts in not possible as (4it kilometresis through return, private 1½ hours, moderate). ● Be considerate of other park users – keep your 1. canBig S strollcrub L amongstoop (1.5 kilometres, some of 45 the min, best moderate). waterfalls and pools along the quiet creek. 7. Pholis Gap Getting there Blackbutt forest and includes a series of small waterfalls and property.The track was named after Athol Pholi who was killed noise to a minimum. Startingexamples off Gibbergunyah of remnant Range rainforest Road, visitors in NSW. can stroll amongst some of the best examples of remnant pools along the quiet creek. by a 7. tree Pholis fall while Gap working (4 kilometrein the area. Beginning You can reach the parks by five separate ● Please do not feed the wildlife. rainforestSee large in NSW. figs, Seeabundant large figs, birdlife abundant and birdlife crystal and 5. Historic Nightcap Track (16 kilometres at Mt Nardi the track meanders through rainforest 5. Historic Nightcap Track (16 kilometres one way, return, 1 1/2 hours, moderate). public roads from the south. All are ● Drinking water is not provided. crystal clearclear creeks. creeks. one way, 1 1/2 days, moderate – hard). for a kilometre before splitting off the Mt Matheson Loop and unsealed, with the exception of the 1½ Thisdays, moderatewalk goes - hard). between This walk Mt goes Nardi between and descending towards The track the escarpment was named edge. afterDrier vegetation 2. Rocky Creek (2 kilometres Dam Walk one way, � Mt Nardi and Rummery Park and can be started at Athol Pholi who was killed by a tree access to Mt Nardi. 2. Rocky Creek Dam Walk Rummery Park and can be started at either end. dominated by grass trees and New England Blackbutt typify More information: 45 min, moderate).(2 kilometres Begin at Rocky one Creekway, Dam45 ��� picnic either end. The track overlaps parts of the original trail fall while working in the area. Beginning The parks are approximately 30 The track overlaps parts of the original trail used the walk to Pholis Gap which offers views of Mt Warning and area. Walk throughminutes, regenerating moderate) rainforest Begin on the at dam’s usedby by travellers travellers and and postal postal workers workers between between Lismore Lismore and surroundingat Mt Nardi valleys. the track meanders through kilometres north of Lismore and 30 National Parks and Wildlife Service shoresRocky into Creek large untouched Dam picnic forest before area. emerging Walk Murwillumbahand Murwillumbah in the late 1800’s in and the early late 1900’s. 1800’s Bush and camping early rainforest for a kilometre before splitting kilometres south-east of Murwillumbah. Northern Rivers Region, through floodedthrough gum plantationregenerating at Gibbergunyah rainforest Range on theRoad. is permitted1900’s. on Bush this walk camping but visitors is permitted must use portable on this stoves walk off the8. Protesters Mt Matheson Falls (1.4 Loop kilometres and return, 45 min, easy). 75 Main Street ALSTONVILLE NSW 2477 Retrace yourdam’s steps toshores the Rocky into Creek large Dam untouched picnic area. forest andbut carry visitors out their mustown rubbish. use portable stoves and carry descendingVisit Protester towards Falls at the Terania escarpment Creek Picnic Area. This A changing view of the land before emerging through flooded gum easy walk winds its way through Bangalow Palms to the Tel: (02) 6627 0200 3. Minyon Loop (7.5 kilometres, 4½ hours, moderate - out their6. Mt Mownatheson rubbish. Loop (3 kilometres, 1½ hours, easy baseedge. of the falls.Drier Swimming vegetation is not dominatedpermitted in the by area as it is hard).plantation Beginning at at Gibbergunyaheither Minyon Grass Range or Minyon Road. Falls - moderate). Originating at Mt Nardi, the Mt Matheson grass trees and New England Blackbutt The parks are located within the Email: 6. Mt Matheson Loop (3 kilometre, home to the endangered Fleay’s Barred Frog. [email protected] picnicRetrace areas yourthis walk steps takes to visitors the Rocky through Creek changing Loop heads out through the lush rainforest encircling Mt typify the walk to Pholis Gap which traditional lands of the Widjabul clan vegetationDam picnic to the basearea. of the falls past a large unlogged Matheson. 1 1/2 Drierhours, vegetation easy – communitiesmoderate). are Originating found near NB: Please observe all warning signs for walking tracks. at Mt Nardi, the Mt Matheson Loop offers views of Mt Warning and of the Bundjalung Nation. Evidence Brushbox stand and along the escarpment edge. For visitors the cliff edges. The Pholis Gap and Historic Nightcap tracks split surrounding valleys. from recorded sites suggests Aboriginal wishing to walk only 3. to theMinyon base of LoopMinyon (7.5Falls thekilometre walk begins off headsfrom this out walk. through the lush rainforest encircling at Minyon Grass and 4is 1/2a 4 kilometre hours, return moderate walk taking – hard). around 2 Mt Matheson. Drier vegetation communities are 8. Protester Falls (1.4 kilometre use of the Nightcap Range for at least For foundreasons nearof public the safety cliff and edges. threatened The speciesPholis conservation Gap and the last 4000 years. This area is of major hours. Both walks have Beginning steep climbs at out.either Minyon Grass return, 45 min, easy). Visit or Minyon Falls picnic areas this walk thereHistoric is no access Nightcap to the top tracks of Tuntable split Falls. off fromAccess this to the walk. Protester Falls at Terania Creek significance to the local Aboriginal 4. Boggy Creek Walk (2 kilometres one way, 45 mins, bottom of the falls is also not possible as it is through private takes visitors through changing vegetation property. Picnic Area. This easy walk winds its people and is respected for its rich easy).to the Starting base at ofRummery the falls Park, past this atrack large leads to way through Bangalow Palms to the tradition and value. Minyon Falls are unlogged Brushbox stand and along the base of the falls. Swimming is not part of a greater cultural landscape that General inquiries: 43 Bridge Street Hurstville NSW 2220 escarpment edge. For visitors wishing to permitted in the area as it is home to includes other major landmarks such Phone: 1300 36 1967 or 02 9585 6444 walk only to the base of Minyon Falls the the endangered Fleay’s Barred Frog as Mount Warning (Wollumbin) and Fax: 02 9585 6555 Web Site: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au walk begins at Minyon Grass and is a 4 the Pinnacle, in the Border Ranges. kilometre return walk taking around 2 NB: Please observe all warning signs Printed on Australian recycled paper May 2010 hours. Both walks have steep climbs out. for walking tracks..

801112 Nightcap revised IMPO.indd 1 11466 DEPT ENVIRO NIGHTCAP.indd 2 9/9/0811/06/10 10:42:54 8:57 AM AM