destination – Far North Coast

FAR NORTH COAST
Rainforests abound on the far North Coast

With around 40 kilometres of unspoiled coastline and world heritage listed national parks, wetlands, estuarine forests and lush pastoral farmlands, it’s easy to see why the far north coast is regarded as one of New South Wales’ true gems.

All interests are catered for – from outdoor activities to shopping and even the arts. The Tweed River Regional Art Gallery collects works of two main themes: Australian portraits of all eras and mediums, as well as works by regional artists depicting the local area.

>> Destination Far North Coast, Weekends For Two

However it’s the region’s natural beauty which first captivates visitors, especially the dramatic peak of Mount Warning. Named by Captain Cook after having escaped the “dangerous shoals” of nearby Point Danger, the mountain is the remnant magma chamber and central vent of an ancient volcano. Over the centuries wind and rain have carved out some spectacular scenery. Much of it is preserved in the six World Heritage listed areas in the region, including Mt Warning.

One of the best ways to discover the beauty of this area is to follow the Rainforest Way, a meandering loop which drives through the lush, World Heritage-listed rainforests. To make the most of your journey along the Rainforest Way, drop into the Murwillumbah World Heritage Rainforest Centre and you’ll learn more about the rare wildlife and botanic splendours of the region.

Sunrises at Mount Warning are always very special as it’s where the sun first hits the Australian continent. Daytime is also pretty special thanks to the great walks and natural beauty on offer within the park. There’s everything from long treks to short strolls which cover subtropical and temperate rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and heath shrubland. A great introductory walk is the Lyrebird Track which winds through palm forest to a platform set amongst the lush subtropical rainforest.