Dorrigo National Park

Dorrigo National Park is a national park in the Mid-North Coast region of New South Wales, home to one of the last rainforests from Gondwana left standing today and by far the most visited of all the UNESCO World Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.

History
Dorrigo National Park is part of the New England Group of the World Heritage Site Gondwana Rainforests of Australia inscribed in 1986 and added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2007. The area protected by the park is recognised for its exceptional natural beauty with significant habitats of outstanding value to science and conservation.

Landscape
The park sits on a plateau, and thus, the large number of waterfalls in this area. Parts of the park are more mountainous, more towards the north, with the south being only so slightly hilly.

Flora and fauna
The park was home to numerous types of fauna, such as the lyrebird, and many other types of native species. Additionally, people of Gumbayngirr country were able to tell which types of flora was poisonous and which weren't, just on sight, even when not in their country! Something that modern humans aren't great at.

The red cedars and bungalow palms aren't found anywhere else like this, anywhere else. Dorrigo National Park also is home to rainforests from when Gondwana existed.

Climate
The climate in Dorrigo is similar to the climate in Orlando or Singapore. Often in the morning, it will be foggy, at noon, a bit more clear and in the afternoon, around 3PM, it almost rains every day. It can get windy here during rain, so all you need is just a small jacket.

Visitor information

 * NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website
 * NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website

By car
Dorrigo National Park is east of the Dorrigo town centre, and a 1-hour drive from Coffs Harbour via the B78 Waterfall Way and half an hour from Bellingen.

By bus
Dorrigo Transit operates a Waterfall Way shuttle from Coffs Harbour - Dorrigo - Armidale. It stops in the Dorrigo CBD, from the park entrance. It will go via the national park on request (bookings essential). Dorrigo Transit also offers an on-demand service for further exploration of the region.

Fees and permits
It's a $2 donation fee if you're passing through the rainforest centre.

The rainforest centre closes at 4:30PM, so entry after 4PM is not recommended. And thus, camping is not permitted on this national park. However, if you're stuck in Wonga Walk after 4:30, you have until 8PM to exist.

Get around
There are two designated carparks in Dorrigo National Park. There are other unofficial carparks as well, but they should only be used in emergencies.

See
Dorrigo National Park can sometimes be referred to, as the park of waterfalls, right next to the town of waterfalls; Dorrigo. Greater Dorrigo contains 5 different waterfalls, and three of them are located right here in Dorrigo National Park. Additionally, Dorrigo National Park also attracts many visitors a day for the skywalk; a bridge with breathtaking views, and really high off the ground, that you can feel the bridge swaying at times.



Buy
There is only one place where you can buy souvenirs, and that is at the rainforest centre. Unlike most NSW national parks visitor centres, DRC has a lot more variety of products, including compasses, postcards, books etc.

Eat
There's only one restaurant/café in the park, and the other being opposite the park.

Drink
There are no bars or pubs in Dorrigo National Park. The nearest ones are in Dorrigo.

Sleep
Unlike most regional National Parks, there are no places to sleep, camp, or lodge in Dorrigo National Park. However, there are motels in Dorrigo and below are a list of motels nearby.



Stay safe
There is limited reception in this park, if you're using any other network provider which is not "Telstra", you should carry a satellite phone with you. Even Telstra has poor coverage, but there's 3G in most of the park.

Go next

 * Head east along Waterfall Way, passing Sherrard and Newell Falls, both alongside the road, towards Bello.
 * Head west to Ebor, home to the Ebor Falls or even further west to Armidale, Australia's highest city.