Border Ranges National Park

Border Ranges runs along the New South Wales side of the Tweed caldera rim, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area, protecting Antarctic beech forest on the tops and subtropical rainforest in the gullies. The Tweed Range Scenic Drive, a sixty-four-kilometre gravel loop, follows the rim past lookouts at Blackbutts, Pinnacle and Antarctic Beech, several of which give the definitive view down into the caldera with Wollumbin standing at its centre, the eroded plug of the original volcano. Short walks lead to Brindle Creek, Selva Falls and stands of ancient beech with trunks up to two thousand years old in their root systems.

What you actually see

• The caldera view - lookouts over the Tweed valley with Wollumbin at the centre.
• The Antarctic beech - ancient Gondwanan trees on the high rim.
• The scenic drive - a sixty-four-kilometre gravel loop along the escarpment.
• Brindle Creek - rainforest walks and small falls off the drive.

When to go

April to November for the driest roads; the gravel drive becomes slippery and dangerous in wet weather and is sometimes closed. Cloud frequently covers the rim, particularly in summer. Winter mornings are clear and cold at altitude.

Honest expectations

The scenic drive is entirely unsealed, narrow with steep drops and slow, taking several hours; caravans are not permitted. There is no fuel, food or phone coverage. Cloud can hide the caldera view completely.

Nearby

Murwillumbah and Wollumbin lie east; the Queensland border and Lamington are north.