our source

This information has been sourced from the National Parks & Wildlife Services, for full details and more Parks & Reserves visit the Northern Rivers section of the National Parks and Wildlife's website www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Arakwal National Park

Highlights: This recreation area stands on the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, Cape Byron, and extends south along Tallow Beach. It is a great spot for watching turtles, dolphins and humpback whales on their annual migration.

Activities: A spectacular clifftop walking track offers panoramic views of the ocean and north coast hinterland. Wind your way along the tracks through diverse coastal plant communities, including rainforest that stretches right down to the beach sands. At Cape Byron Lighthouse you can take a tour (phone 6620 9300 for bookings) and even stay the night in the lighthouse keeper’s quarters (bookings essential, phone 6685 6552).

Access: 2 km east of Byron Bay along Lighthouse Road. Vehicle entry fee of $4 to the Cape Byron Lighthouse precinct.

Local NPWS contact: Byron Bay, 6620 9300

Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve - 204 ha

Highlights: This reserve offers the magical combination of beach, estuary and coastal rainforest.

Activities: The park is the ideal location for bushwalking, swimming, picnicking or a spot of river fishing. A short walk from the carpark takes in the rare coastal rainforest and opens onto the breakwall on the north bank of the Brunswick River. Return to the carpark is along the Brunswick River, which gives a sense of the tranquillity and history of the reserve.

Access: 20 km north of Byron Bay at Brunswick Heads, just off the Pacific Highway.

Local NPWS contact: Alstonville, 6627 0200

Mount Warning National Park - 2379 ha

Highlights: Mount Warning, the heart of this World Heritage-listed park, is the remnant central plug of an ancient volcano. At 1100 metres it has been eroded down to half its original height.

Activities: There is a fantastic walk to the mountain’s summit through rainforest communities, with a challenging final rock scramble rewarding you with 360-degree views of the bowl-shaped Tweed Valley. Car-based and caravan camping is available at the privately run caravan park on the main access road.

Access: 12 km south-west of Murwillumbah off Kyogle Road.

Local NPWS contact: Murwillumbah, 6672 6360

Nightcap National Park - 8080 ha

Highlights: The lush World Heritage rainforests of this park were saved from logging by a determined group of conservationists, meaning you can enjoy the park’s forest ecosystems, containing significant populations of threatened plants and animals.

Activities: Minyon Falls, with its picnic area and awesome 100 metre waterfall, provides a great start to the 30 km Whian Whian Forest Drive (unsealed). This scenic route takes in areas of the park and the nearby state forest. Journey to the lush rainforests of Terania Creek (unsealed roads) with its picnic area and shaded 1.4 km return walk to the breathtaking Protestors Falls. Swimming is not permitted at this spot. No fires are permitted in the park; portable fuel stoves only.

Access: 35 km north of Lismore. Whian Whian Forest Drive (unsealed) is off the Lismore-Mullumbimby road.

Local NPWS contact: Alstonville, 6627 0200

Tyagarah Nature Reserve - 763 ha

Highlights: Visitors to this reserve can expect 8 km of secluded and unspoilt beach backed by coastal heath.

Activities: This is the perfect place for a quiet walk, picnic or spot of birdwatching or fishing. Picnic facilities are provided at the beach, and there is a walking track on the old mining track that leads from Grays Lane to the northern boundary of the reserve. Camping is not permitted.

Access: 10 km north of Byron Bay along Grays Lane (unsealed sections) off the Pacific Highway. Vehicle entry fee of $6.

Local NPWS contact: Alstonville, 6627 0200