Of the thousands of walking trails in national parks, nature reserves and world heritage areas across NSW, none show the diversity of our forests more than this collection of 10 of the most popular forests walks.
Breadknife and Grand High Tops Walk, Warrumbungle NP
Bring a packed lunch for this one: you’ll have earned it, along with 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.
- Time/distance/grade: 5hr/12.4km/moderate.
- Type of forest: Dry eucalypt forests and grassy woodlands
- How to get there: Warrumbungle NP is near Coonabarabran, a six-hour drive from Sydney.
- This loop walk starts and ends at Pincham carpark. Entry fees of $7 per vehicle per day apply.
Rainforest Loop Walk, Budderoo NP
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.
- Time/distance/grade: 1hr/1.6km/easy
- Type of forest: Rainforests
- 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.
- How to get there: Budderoo NP is near Kiama, a two-hour drive from Sydney. The walk begins and ends at the Minnamurra Rainforest Visitor Centre. Entry fees of $11 per vehicle per day apply.
The Wonga Walk, Dorrigo NP
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.
- Time/distance/grade: 2.5hr/5.4km/easy
- Type of forest: Rainforests
- How to get there: Dorrigo NP is near Coffs Harbour, an eight-hour drive north of Sydney. This circuit walk begins and ends at the Glade Picnic Area. Entry to Dorrigo NP is free.
Crystal Shower Falls, Dorrigo NP
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. Distance: 1.5km each way (one-way route), time: 45 minutes each way.
- Time/distance/grade: 1.5hr round trip/1.5km each way/easy
- Type of forest: Rainforests
- How to get there: Dorrigo NP is near Coffs Harbour, an eight-hour drive north of Sydney.
- The walk begins at the Glade Picnic Area. Entry to Dorrigo NP is free.
Honeysuckle Forest Track, Barrington Tops NP
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.
- Time/distance/grade: 30min/1km/easy
- Type of forest: Antarctic beech forest
- 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. Entry to Barrington Tops NP is free.
Grand Canyon Walk, Blue Mountains NP
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.
- Time/distance/grade: 3.5hr/5.km/easy
- Type of forest: Dry eucalypt forest
- How to get there: The Blue Mountains is a 90-minute drive from Sydney. The walk begins from the intersection of Grand Canyon Loop carpark and Neates Glen Track. Entry fees are $7 per vehicle per day. Vehicle entry fees only apply in the Glenbrook area.
National Pass, Blue Mountains NP
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 Stairway.
- Time/distance/grade: 3.5hr/4.4km/easy
- Type of forest: Dry eucalypt forest
- 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. Entry fees are $7 per vehicle per day. Vehicle entry fees only apply in the Glenbrook area.
Washpool Walk, Washpool NP
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.
- Time/distance/grade: 3.5hr/8.5km/moderate
- Type of forest: Rainforest, dry forests
- How to get there: Washpool NP is near Glen Innes, a seven-hour drive north of Sydney. The walk begins and ends at the Coombadjha camping area. Entry fees of $7 per vehicle per day apply.
Charlotte's Pass to Snowy River, Kosciuszko NP
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 herb fields 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. Plant communities include grassy woodlands, grasslands, alpine plant communities, freshwater wetlands and heathlands.
- Time/distance/grade:1.5hr each way/4.5km each way (one-way route)/moderate
- Type of forest: Alpine
- How to get there: Kosciuszko NP is near Jindabyne, a five-hour drive south of Sydney.
- The walk begins at Charlotte’s Pass. Entry fees per vehicle per day apply.
Main Range Track, Kosciuszko NP
This track is considered one of Australia’s great walks. Above the treeline 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 Carruthers Peak 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 wildflowers are in bloom. 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 PLB.
- Time/distance/grade: Dawn to dusk/22km/challenging
- Type of forest: Alpine
- How to get there: Kosciuszko NP is near Jindabyne, a five-hour drive south of Sydney.
- The walk begins at Charlotte’s Pass. Entry fees per vehicle per day apply.
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