Dorrigo National Park
World Heritage rainforest with a walkway projecting out over the canopy and waterfalls on the tracks below.
Updated 18 October 2026
AI illustration
UNESCO World Heritage
Dorrigo protects subtropical and warm temperate rainforest on the escarpment behind Coffs Harbour, part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage area, and its most-photographed feature is the Skywalk, a boardwalk that runs out from the rainforest centre and projects over the escarpment so that visitors stand level with the canopy and above the valley. Below, the Wonga Walk descends about six kilometres through the forest past Crystal Shower Falls, where the track passes behind the water, and Tristania Falls. The forest is dense with strangler figs, buttressed trees, vines and epiphytes, and birds include regent bowerbirds, brush turkeys and paradise riflebirds.
History
The park lies in Gumbaynggirr country and is of great significance to the Gumbaynggirr people. It was established as a national park on 1 October 1967, belongs to the New England group of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, inscribed as World Heritage in 1986, and was added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2007; since 2019 the New South Wales government has been planning a new visitor centre, the Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre (Wikipedia, Dorrigo National Park).
What you'll find
- The Skywalk - the boardwalk projecting out over the escarpment canopy.
- Crystal Shower Falls - a fall the track passes behind, on the Wonga Walk.
- The rainforest - strangler figs, buttress roots and epiphytes throughout.
- The birdlife - bowerbirds, brush turkeys and riflebirds along the tracks.
When to go
Year-round; rainforest is at its best in and after rain, though tracks become slippery. Summer is humid with leeches on the walking tracks. Winter is cool and clear. The rainforest centre keeps daily hours.
Before you go
Leeches are common on the tracks in wet weather and catch visitors unprepared. The Wonga Walk is a solid two to three hours with a long climb back up. Cloud and rain frequently reduce the Skywalk view to white.
Nearby
Bellingen lies down the mountain east; New England National Park is west along Waterfall Way.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q524956, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Dorrigo National Park
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
- Binoculars - The single best wildlife tool - even a compact pair transforms a sighting. Find on Amazon
- Strong insect repellent - DEET or picaridin; the jungle is where bites and disease risk are highest. Find on Amazon
- Layers + a waterproof shell - Mountain weather turns fast; a packable rain jacket saves the day. Find on Amazon
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