Dorrigo National Park: Best Walks, Skywalk and Waterfalls

Published 26 October 2026

Looking out through the curtain of Crystal Shower Falls from the rock cavern behind it in Dorrigo National Park

Photo: Poidabro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) says Dorrigo National Park is about an hour from Coffs Harbour, "yet it feels worlds away". It's part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, and NPWS describes it as having "breathtaking waterfall walks, picnic spots and excellent birdwatching". You can walk behind Crystal Shower Falls, look out from the Skywalk 21 m above the rainforest, or hike down to the park's biggest waterfall. This guide covers the best walks, using NPWS details checked on 25 October 2026.

Dorrigo National Park walks at a glance

Walk	Distance	Time	Grade	Starts at
Skywalk lookout	70 m boardwalk	A few minutes	Easy	See NPWS map
Walk with the Birds boardwalk	0.65 km return	15–30 min	Grade 1	The Glade picnic area
Satinbird stroll	0.6 km loop	15–30 min	Grade 2	Near The Glade
Lyrebird Link track	0.4 km one way	15–30 min	Grade 5	Park entrance car park
Crystal Shower Falls walk	3.2 km return	1–1.5 hr	Grade 3	The Glade picnic area
Wonga walk	5.8 km loop	2–3 hr	Grade 3	The Glade picnic area
Casuarina Falls circuit	4.8 km loop	1.5–2 hr	Grade 4	See NPWS map
Rosewood Creek walking track	5.5 km loop	1.5–2.5 hr	Grade 4	Never Never picnic area
Red Cedar Falls walking track	8 km return	3–3.5 hr	Grade 5	Never Never picnic area

Start at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre

The Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is at 100 Lyrebird Lane, Dorrigo Mountain. NPWS calls it Maam ganiyaygamba, "our meeting place". Staff can help you pick a walking track that suits you, and there's a heritage exhibition, a shop, and a grassy picnic area with electric barbecues.

Opening hours: 9 am to 4.30 pm from September to May, and 9 am to 3.30 pm from June to August. Closed Christmas Day.
Safety: you can fill in a trip intention form and hire a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) here at no charge, according to NPWS.
Bring your own food: NPWS asks visitors to bring their own lunch, snacks and water.

Skywalk lookout

The Skywalk lookout is the park's most famous view. It's a 70 m boardwalk that juts over the edge of the escarpment about 21 m above the rainforest. NPWS says the views take in the Bellinger Valley to the coast, across deep rainforest gorges and the Rosewood rainforest basin.

The view is dominated by the double peak of McGraths Hump, which locals call "old man sleeping". NPWS notes there are several Gumbaynggirr stories about the mountain's silhouette, which looks like the profile of a face. The Skywalk is rated easy. It's open during the day and closes between 10 pm and 5 am. Look out for regent bowerbirds, topknot pigeons and grey goshawks.

Crystal Shower Falls walk

3.2 km return · 1–1.5 hours · Grade 3 · no wheelchair access

The Crystal Shower Falls walk is Dorrigo's signature short walk. It starts at The Glade picnic area and passes through tall rainforest, where you may hear fruit doves. At the falls, a suspension bridge crosses the valley in front of the waterfall. A short side track then leads behind the falls into a rocky cavern, where you can look out through the curtain of water. NPWS says the weather can change quickly, so check it before you go.

Wonga walk

5.8 km loop · 2–3 hours · Grade 3

The Wonga walk links Crystal Shower Falls with Tristania Falls in one loop from The Glade. NPWS calls it "one of the most popular walks not only in Dorrigo National Park, but also in Australia". Expect 600-year-old trees, an elevated boardwalk, colourful fungi and lots of birdsong. There are some steeper sections, a few steps and some boulder crossings, but you can split the walk into shorter sections. NPWS warns that afternoon storms in the warmer months can be severe, so check the forecast.

Easy walks for families

Walk with the Birds boardwalk (0.65 km return, Grade 1, open 5 am–10 pm). A fully accessible elevated walkway from The Glade. NPWS says around 150 bird species are found in the park. Look for paradise riflebirds, green catbirds and lyrebirds.
Satinbird stroll (0.6 km loop, Grade 2). A 600 m sealed trail near The Glade. It can take wheelchairs and strollers with a little help, and is named after the satin bowerbird.
Lyrebird Link track (0.4 km one way, Grade 5). It's short but steep, linking the entrance car park to the Wonga walk. Extend 160 m to the Balaminda viewing platform for a chance to see wompoo fruit-doves and king parrots.

Longer hikes from Never Never

The Never Never picnic area is the start of Dorrigo's tougher walks.

Red Cedar Falls walking track

8 km return · 3–3.5 hours · Grade 5

NPWS says the Red Cedar Falls walking track leads to the largest waterfall in Dorrigo National Park. Follow the Rosewood Creek walking track for 2 km to the turn-off. From there the track descends steeply for 1.2 km past towering red cedars and bangalow palms, to where the water "plunges over the escarpment creating a mighty roar". Take care on slippery rocks near the falls. NPWS recommends a trip intention form and notes limited mobile reception.

Rosewood Creek walking track

5.5 km loop · 1.5–2.5 hours · Grade 4

This loop is best walked anticlockwise. It passes huge blackbutt and tallowwood trees on the way to Coachwood Falls, with sparkling pools along Rosewood Creek. In spring, look for the Dorrigo waratah in flower.

Casuarina Falls circuit

4.8 km loop · 1.5–2 hours · Grade 4

This energetic loop traces the ridgeline of the Dorrigo plateau, with glimpses of the pools and falls on Sassafras Creek. It reaches the top of Casuarina Falls, with views deep into the park. NPWS suggests bringing your swimmers for the creek pools.

Wildlife in Dorrigo National Park

NPWS says the park's mix of forest types protects a huge variety of animals and birds. Look for red-necked pademelons, wompoo fruit-doves and regent bowerbirds. Satin bowerbirds and black-faced monarchs (September to March) are found along the Satinbird stroll. After dark, listen for the "mo-poke" call of the southern boobook owl from the Walk with the Birds boardwalk.

Planning tips

Getting there: NPWS says the park is about an hour from Coffs Harbour. It also promotes the Waterfall Way scenic drive in the area.
Mobile reception is limited. Download the NPWS map before you go.
It's cooler in the rainforest. NPWS suggests bringing a jacket.
Opening: the park is always open but may close in poor weather or fire danger. Check NSW National Parks alerts before you go.
No pets in NSW national parks, apart from certified assistance animals.

Heading back to south-east Queensland? Keep the Gondwana rainforest theme going with the Border Track quest in Lamington. You can also browse every Active Quests trail, or read our Mount Coot-tha Summit Track guide.

Related guides

New NSW quests nearby

Frequently asked questions

How far is Dorrigo National Park from Coffs Harbour?

NPWS says Dorrigo National Park is about 1 hour from Coffs Harbour.

How long is the Crystal Shower Falls walk?

It's 3.2 km return, takes 1–1.5 hours and is Grade 3. You can walk behind the falls into a rocky cavern.

What is the Dorrigo Skywalk?

The Skywalk lookout is a 70 m boardwalk over the edge of the escarpment, about 21 m above the rainforest. It has views over the Bellinger Valley toward the coast.

What are the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre opening hours?

It opens 9 am to 4.30 pm from September to May, and 9 am to 3.30 pm from June to August. It's closed Christmas Day.

What is the biggest waterfall in Dorrigo National Park?

NPWS says Red Cedar Falls is the largest. The Red Cedar Falls walking track is 8 km return and Grade 5.

Is Dorrigo National Park good for kids?

Yes. The Walk with the Birds boardwalk (Grade 1), the Satinbird stroll and the Crystal Shower Falls suspension bridge are all family favourites.

Earn as you explore

Active Quests turns walks into GPS check-in quests where you earn ACTIVE Coins on the trail. Get it on the App Store.