A 25 Day Hike may be Included in the Proposed Great Koala National Park

A new long-distance walk within the proposed Great Koala National Park on the mid-north coast would stretch 217km through changing landscapes and past a tonne of spectacular waterfalls.

 

Got a spare 25 days to do some walking? The committee advocating for the creation of a Great Koala National Park on NSW’s mid-north coast have proposed the inclusion of a 217km track within the park, that hopes to attract local, national and international tourists and hikers to the area. 

The track plans to stretch from the Coffs Coast, up north to the Dorrigo Escarpment, before meandering back down through Dungirr National Park, to end in the historic town of Bowraville. 

It would pass through coastal forests, Gondwana rainforest, valleys and past plenty of dramatic waterfalls. Many of these forests are home to some of the densest populations of koalas along the coast. So keep your eyes peeled!

The track climbs around 1400 metres to its highest point and offers those brave enough to tackle it, an impressive tour through changing ecosystems and terrains. It’d also give hikers access to canyoning in the region. 

Many of the areas the track passes through are quite remote, so you’ll probably need to arrange a few food and supply drops along the way. 

If 217km is a little too long for you, there’s always the option of picking and choosing your favourite section to tackle over a few days, or even a few hours, instead. The track is divided up into nine sections, ranging from just under 9km, up to 42km in length. There are also several loop tracks planned to be included as well. 

The committee is currently in consultation with Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal organisations, families and groups as the track would pass through several culturally significant Gumbaynggirr areas. There are also ongoing discussions to come up with an appropriate Gumbaynggirr name for the track too.

The walk, along with the proposition for the Great Koala National Park was recently presented at the Parliament of NSW inquiry into koala populations and habitat at the start of the month.

Feature photo by Henry Brydon