Urumba National Park

Urumba National Park is a rugged wilderness of ancient sandstone escarpments, deep gorges, and shimmering waterfalls, tucked away in the northern reaches of New South Wales. This is a place where the bush feels untamed—wallabies dart through scribbly gum forests, and the air smells of eucalyptus and damp earth. For travellers seeking a genuine off-the-beaten-track experience, Urumba rewards with dramatic lookouts, serene swimming holes, and a profound sense of isolation that few parks can match.

Highlights & What to See

• Urumba Gorge Lookout – A short walk leads to a vertiginous platform overlooking the park's namesake gorge, with sheer cliffs plunging into a ribbon of green below. Best at golden hour when the sandstone glows.
• Warrigal Falls – A tiered cascade that plunges into a deep, cool pool perfect for a refreshing dip after a bushwalk. The 2 km return track meanders through rainforest pockets and past mossy boulders.
• Bunyip Cave – A massive overhang sheltering Aboriginal rock art and grinding grooves; the short, signposted walk offers insight into the area's Indigenous heritage.
• Nightcap Drive – A scenic unsealed loop through the park's interior, passing through towering blackbutt forests and offering glimpses of lyrebirds and kangaroos. A 4WD is recommended after rain.
• Pademelon Creek Walk – A gentle 1.5 km circuit along a clear creek, where you can spot red-necked pademelons and listen to the whipcrack call of the eastern whipbird.

Suggested Time to Spend

Two days is ideal to experience Urumba's highlights without rushing. Spend the first morning walking to Warrigal Falls and exploring Bunyip Cave, then drive the Nightcap Drive loop in the afternoon, stopping at lookouts. The second day can be a longer hike into the gorge itself (allow at least 4–5 hours for the 8 km Urumba Gorge Trail). If you only have a day, focus on the gorge lookout and a short walk to a waterfall. The park is best visited between April and October when the weather is mild and the creeks are flowing.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Dorrigo National Park – A lush Gondwana rainforest with skywalks and waterfalls, just an hour's drive south.
• Guy Fawkes River National Park – Wild, remote gorges and excellent canoeing on the Guy Fawkes River; a 90-minute drive east.
• Ebor Falls – Stunning multi-tiered falls on the Waterfall Way, about 45 minutes south-west of Urumba.
• New England National Park – High-altitude forests and the dramatic Point Lookout, reachable via a scenic two-hour drive.
• Coffs Harbour – Coastal hub with beaches and dining, roughly 1.5 hours east—a good base for supplies and accommodation.

Please check official sources for current details.