How to Hike Gidjuum Gulganyi – Northern NSW’s Newest Multi-Day Hike

Wind your way through prehistoric rainforests, waterfalls, and rivers on the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, a newly-opened four day trail in northern NSW.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Widjabul Wia-bal and Minjungbal People of Bundjalung Nation, who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Unlike some multi-night hikes, Gidjuum Gulganyi isn’t a suffer-fest that’ll have you collapsing into your sleeping bag as soon as it’s dark.

Here, you’ll follow the pathways that have connected people through the ridges and valleys along the Tweed Byron Hinterland for thousands of years on a hike that invites you to slow down and immerse yourself in nature, as Lisa Gilbert discovered.

This 42km trail follows the pathways of the Traditional Owners – linking Mount Jerusalem and Nightcap national parks. Gidjuum Gulganyi, meaning Old People’s Track, is a reminder that this is a journey through living cultural landscapes where you’ll encounter stunning views, and wander through Gondwanan rainforest and towering eucalypts – finishing at the jaw-dropping Minyon Falls.

What a way to finish!

Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk Facts

Distance: 42km
Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Stay: At three designated campsites, which must be booked in advance
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,800m cumulative gain
Nearest Towns: Uki, Mullumbimby, Byron Bay

About the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

One of NSW’s newest Great Walks, the Gidjuum Gulganyi follows traditional pathways that once connected communities across the Tweed Caldera. 

This hike showcases some of Australia’s most significant remaining subtropical and warm temperate rainforest. You’ll follow volcanic ridgelines, pass beneath towering Blackbutts, ancient beech forests and palm groves, and be rewarded with panoramic views toward Wollumbin (Mount Warning), the Tweed Valley, and the Pacific Ocean.

On more than one occasion, I found myself humming the theme from Jurassic Park as I walked, half expecting to encounter a stegosaurus among the giant strangler figs and rope-sized vines or find a raptor peering into my tent at night.  

Panoramic escarpment views and Wollumbin in the distance

History of the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

The history of the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk stretches back thousands of years, but the current trail was developed between NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Widjabul Wia-bal Gurrumbil Aboriginal Corporation, and the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council. 

Only around 19km of the 42km route required completely new trail construction, with much of the walk following existing historic pathways and management trails.

The trail officially opened in April 2025 as part of the NSW Great Walks network.

A yarning circle at camp hints at the Aboriginal consultation involved when creating the walk

How to Get to the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

How to Get to Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk by Car

The walk is a 42km one-way route starting at Manns Road Trackhead near Mount Jerusalem National Park and finishing at Minyon Falls Lookout in Nightcap National Park.

You can add on another 6km and finish at Minyon Grass at the base of the Falls for a swim. 

As this is a one-way hike, transport logistics are one of the biggest planning considerations.

There are dedicated shuttle services between the trailheads with companies like Vision Walks who offer pick up and drop off from Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, Ballina, and Gold Coast Airport. 

We used a driver and left our car at Rummery Park Campground, which is a couple of kilometres before the Falls, and an easy walk back. 

The trailhead is around a 30 minute drive from Mullumbimby and one hour from Byron Bay.

How to Get to Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk by Public Transport

The closest public transport is at Byron Bay and Mullumbimby, but you’ll need a transfer or taxi to get to the trailhead and back to town. 

Where to Stay Along the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

Campsites are pre-booked through NSW National Parks. You can only book for the full walk and are allocated a tent platform. It’s $173 for three nights for the ‘self-guided’ option. You can also book guided pack free hikes with cooked meals included with Connect Adventures   

My friend and I both have hiking pole tents, which are tricky to set up on platforms at the best of times, so we opted for a platform each. You’d squeeze two freestanding tents on one platform but take cord to secure the lines in case there aren’t enough chains. 

Ultralight shelters work but it’s harder to squeeze two onto a platform

I’m not a fan of over-developed campsites in national parks (give me a patch of dirt and I’m happy), but I was pleasantly surprised with the set-up of these three sites. 

Read more: Australia is Among Worst in the World for Expansion of Private Tourism in National Parks, Expert Warns

Elevated tent platforms are well spread out, there’s a shelter, toilet, rainwater tanks, lock boxes for food at two sites and even ‘yarning circles’ where you can sit and have a yak with your fellow hikers.

Night One: Sand Ridge Campground

Night Two: Yelgun Kyoomgun Campground

Night Three: Weeun Weeun Campground

Shelter, water tanks and lock boxes for food at Weeun Weeun Campground

Skill Level

Intermediate

I’d rate the walk itself as beginner – the distances are manageable, and apart from day two, quite short. But you will need to be self-sufficient for three nights, carrying all camping equipment, food and your water for the day and be prepared for some steep climbs.  

The route includes:

• Long sustained climbs
• Steep descents
• More than 1,000 stairs in some sections
• Creek crossings
• Remote rainforest terrain

There is also limited phone reception throughout most of the route.

Lisa and her mate enjoyed bulk down time on the shorter days

Essential Gear for the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

• 55L+ hiking pack
• Tent suitable for platform camping
• Sleeping bag and mat
• Hiking clothes including long pants and sleeves 
• Rain jacket
• Water bottles and water filtration system or purification tablets
• Hiking poles
• Headtorch
• First aid kit
• Power bank
• Sun protection
• Insect repellent – you need the good stuff to keep leeches away and tick spray
• A knife or credit card to remove leeches
• Food for four days and dry bag to store or hang your food
• PLB 
• Pack your bathers for a river or waterfall dip 

Water tanks are available at campsites but you should always treat the water before drinking.

Read more: 7 Water Purification Methods for the Outdoors

What It’s Like to Hike the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

For a hiker most at home in the Victorian High Country and around Tasmania, I knew I’d be hot, despite walking in early May. 

If you’re walking after heavy rain you’ll get wet boots as your criss cross the river on day one and four, and it does get muddy in sections. 

We experienced two days of hot, humid weather and two days of torrential tropical rain. And rain in a tropical forest means leeches! 

Lucky the Kingdom of Leeches is so pretty

Day three is almost entirely rainforest, or as we christened it, The Kingdom of Leeches. I recommend wearing long pants tucked into your socks and long sleeves – we did this and still had a few hitchhikers at the end, including two on my butt cheek (eternal apologies to the man having a nice quiet caravan stay at Rummery Park Campground who witnessed two women in their underwear, laughing uncontrollably and picking leeches off each other). 

Read more: Leeches: How To Remove, Avoid, and Appreciate Them

You’ll also encounter bush rats and other food thieves at camp. I hung my food in double dry bags and still had a critter eat my muesli bar. There are lock boxes at camp two and three to store your food from hungry animals. 

Day 1: Manns Road Trackhead to Sand Ridge Campground

Distance: 8.5km
Time: 3–5 hours

The first day of the hike is quite short, so you can start the day with a stop in Mullumbimby before hitting the trial. 

The track winds its way through tall eucalypt forests and you’ll cross Whisky Creek multiple times (there are stepping stones, so you won’t get wet feet unless it’s been raining heavily). 

The real Jurassic Park adventure begins here as you climb to Sand Ridge Campsite, passing huge strangler figs, ropey vines, and rainforest ferns. 

A couple of kilometres before camp you’ll find Unicorn Falls, which is perfect for a dip on a warm day. We had every intention of going back for a swim, but with the whole campsite to ourselves we spent a lazy afternoon reading and playing cards before an early night, falling asleep to the sounds of rainforest. 

The A+ dunny at Sand Ridge Campground

Day 2: Sand Ridge Campground to Yelgun Kyoomgun Campground

Distance: 16km
Time: 6–8 hours

This is the longest day of the hike, and it’s a good idea to start early to beat the heat. Today you’ll climb around 1000 stairs and 900m of elevation, but you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views from numerous lookouts over the Tweed Caldera with Wollumbin rising in the distance. 

While steep, the trail is even and offers reprieve just when you’re about to bust a lung. 

As you cross Doon Doon saddle (which is well worth the 250m side-trip scramble for the cliff top views) you’ll leave Mt Jerusalem National Park and walk onto a historical trail, which passes through private property, before climbing back up into the forest. 

Keep your eye out for the giant, burnt out Postman’s Tree, which was used as shelter by travelling posties in the 1800s and early 1900s. 

The campground is just inside Nightcap National Park and offers tent platforms tucked away in tea tree shrubs. There are lock boxes at the two shelters here, and it’s strongly advised to store your food here away from hungry critters. 

Yelgun Kyoomgun Campground’s yarning circle

Day 3: Yelgun Kyoomgun Campground to Weeun Weeun Campground

Distance: 11–12km
Time: 4–6 hours

Day three starts and ends with jaw-dropping views – or so I’m told. We walked in torrential rain all day, with fog so thick we could only see a few metres ahead of us. 

Regardless, this was my favourite day. We wove our way through skinny fern-lined tracks, collecting leeches as we went. Surrounded by Gondwanan rainforest and listening to the calls of lyrebirds and the rhythmic patter of rain, this was literal forest bathing. 

In clear weather Weeun Weeun campground would be spectacular, with views across the tree-lined valley to cascading waterfalls. The camp itself is set amongst towering blackbutt trees. 

We don’t just do it for the views, right?

Day 4: Weeun Weeun Campground to Minyon Falls

Distance: 6km
Time: 2–3 hours

Your final day is another short trip, crossing a river for some easy maintenance track walking before you dip back into lush subtropical rainforest. 

You’ll pass through the super cute Rummery Park Campground before ending the hike at Minyon Falls. 

This waterfall is epic in every sense of the word, and it was the absolute highlight of the walk. 

Water rushing to plunge 100m off Minyon Falls

Minyon Falls plunges more than 100 metres over cliffs that used to form part of Tweed Volcano, and the lookout provides endless views of the palm-covered gorge below.  

If you’ve still got some energy, walk the extra few kilometres to finish at the base of the falls. 

Tips for Hiking the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

• Book campsites well in advance
• Start day two early as it’s the most physically demanding day
• Carry enough food for four days
• Expect wet, muddy conditions after rain
• Pack leech protection during warmer months
• Download an offline map as back-up
• Treat all collected water, even from the tanks
• Arrange transport logistics before starting
• Allow extra time for Unicorn Falls and Minyon Falls side trips
• Weather changes quickly on the caldera rim and when it rains, it’s heavy
• Consider hiking poles for the long descents and stair sections
• Bring a book or journal and enjoy the downtime on the shorter days

Complete rainforest immersion, enjoy!