Jump to our list of trails by National Park or State Forest below.
Biodiversity and conservation on the north coast
The North Coast bioregion, extends from just north of Newcastle, to the Queensland border. New England tablelands lies to the west. The North Coast bioregion includes the shoreline, floodplains and foothills to the gorges and escarpments of the Great Dividing Range. The area is remarkable for its diversity, with 18% of the bioregion conserved in national parks and nature reserves.
Taking a different, narrower view of the area, the North Coast water catchment area extends from the Hastings Valley to the Clarence River. Some 16,000 km2 or 38% of this area of the north coast is protected in National Parks and reserves. State forests and town council reserves provide even more green space.
How lucky are we to visit or live in this beautiful area of New South Wales!


National Parks, State Forests – what’s the difference?
State Forests are areas with native growth forests as well as plantations. They are managed to provide timber, but also for recreation, flora conservation, protection of fauna habitat, and cultural heritage protection. Areas within forests may be closed for logging, and you might meet logging trucks on roads (a UHF radio can be useful). Tracks provide lots of opportunities for bushwalking, mountain biking and dog walking (on leash). Camping is usually free, but facilities are non-existent or more basic than National Parks. A great example of a State Forest walk is the Bruxner Park Flora Reserve rainforest walk. Styx Forest Way and Hastings Forest Way are examples of popular 4WD or adventure motorcycle routes in state forests.
Many town councils also provide local walks on public land. Rules vary for these, but often dogs on a leash are permitted, and bicycles may also be allowed. Access by public transport is often possible, and facilities include picnic areas, playgrounds, and cafes. Great examples are the Coffs Creek Walk and the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk.
Regional Parks protect areas that have been modified by humans, and provide recreation opportunities. You may be able to take a dog on a leash on trails in some regional parks. A good example is the Solitary Island Coastal Walk in the Coffs Coast Regional Park.
National Parks are set aside to protect predominantly unspoiled landscape, flora, fauna and cultural heritage. In addition to nature conservation, they also play a role in education, scientific research, nature appreciation and of course recreation. There are many walking trails and campsites in national parks, as well as some mountain bike trails and 4WD touring opportunities (such as the Bindarri route on the Orara escarpment), but dogs and other pets are not allowed. No picking the flowers or gathering firewood. An example of a National Park walk is the ever popular Wonga Walk to Crystal Showers in Dorrigo National Park.
Nature Reserves protect areas and ecosystems with high conservation value. While recreation is not the purpose of nature reserves, there are some walks such as Woolgoolga Creek Falls in Sherwood Nature Reserve.
Wilderness areas are large, natural areas essentially unchanged by modern human activity. They protect biodiversity and allow nature to do its thing, with minimal interference from humans. Tread lightly, definitely no dogs, and don’t expect to find any infrastructure in these areas. The New England Wilderness Walk is an example of a trail in a wilderness area. Wild Rivers protect pristine rivers with high conservation value.


A list of Parks and Forests on the North Coast of New South Wales
A list of National Parks, Nature Reserves and State Forests is provided below, with the number of trails we have mapped shown in brackets.
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National Parks (0)
- Baalijin Nature Reserve (1)
- Bago Bluff National Park (1)
- Bellinger Heads State Park (2)
- Bellinger River National Park (1)
- Bindarri National Park (4)
- Boorganna Nature Reserve (1)
- Bongil Bongil National Park (3)
- Bulagaranda (Mt Yarrowyck) Aboriginal Area (1)
- Bundjalung National Park (1)
- Carrai National Park (1)
- Cascade National Park (3)
- Cathedral Rock National Park (3)
- The Cells State Conservation Area (1)
- Coffs Coast Regional Park (7)
- Coorabakh National Park (1)
- Coramba Nature Reserve (1)
- Cottan-Bimbang National Park (2)
- Crowdy Bay National Park (1)
- Cunnawarra NP (1)
- Dooragan National Park (1)
- Dorrigo National Park (7)
- Dunggir National Park (2)
- Fortis Creek National Park (1)
- Gaagal Wanggaan (1)
- Ganay Nature Reserve (2)
- Garby Nature Reserve (1)
- Gibraltar Range National Park (7)
- Goolawah National Park (1)
- Guy Fawkes River National Park (1)
- Hat Head National Park (3)
- Iluka Nature Reserve (1)
- Jagun Nature Reserve (1)
- Kattang Nature Reserve (1)
- Kings Plains National Park (1)
- Kumbatine National Park (1)
- Limeburners Creek National Park (1)
- Mann River Nature Reserve (2)
- Middle Brother National Park (1)
- Moonee Beach Nature Reserve (5)
- Mummel Gulf National Park (1)
- Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve (2)
- New England National Park (7)
- Ngambaa Nature Reserve (2)
- Nymboi-Binderay National Park (3)
- Nymboida National Park (1)
- Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (10)
- Sea Acres National Park (1)
- Sherwood Nature Reserve (7)
- Tapin Tops National Park (1)
- Torrington State Conservation Area (3)
- Ulidarra National Park (1)
- Warrabah National Park (1)
- Washpool National Park (3)
- Werrikimbe National Park (6)
- Willi Willi National Park (4)
- Yarriabini National Park (3)
- Yuraygir National Park (8)
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State Forests (0)
- Coopernook State Forest (1)
- Bagawa State Forest (1)
- Boambee State Forest (2)
- Bruxner Park Flora Reserve (2)
- Burrawan State Forest (1)
- Cairncross State Forest (1)
- Candole State Forest (1)
- Collombatti State Forest (1)
- Conglomerate State Forest (4)
- Gladstone State Forest (2)
- Glenugie State Forest (1)
- Ingalba State Forest (1)
- Irishman State Forest (2)
- Lower Bucca State Forest (2)
- Madmans Creek Flora Reserve (1)
- Mistake State Forest (1)
- Nambucca State Forest (1)
- Nana Creek State Forest (2)
- Newry State Forest (1)
- Orara East State Forest (13)
- Orara West State Forest (6)
- Scotchman State Forest (2)
- Styx River State Forest (2)
- Tamban State Forest (1)
- Tarkeeth State Forest (2)
- Tuckers Nob State Forest (2)
- Wedding Bells State Forest (4)
- Wild Cattle Creek State Forest (4)
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Towns (0)
- Coffs Harbour (6)
- Corindi (1)
- Dorrigo (1)
- Grafton (1)
- Iluka (1)
- Nambucca Heads (1)
- Port Macquarie (2)
- Red Rock (2)
- Scotts Head (3)
- South West Rocks (2)
- Urunga (1)
- Woolgoolga (1)