Photo: Cgoodwin / CC BY-SA 3.0
Guy Fawkes River National Park is a rugged wilderness in the New England region of NSW, known for its deep gorges, ancient Gondwana rainforests, and dramatic escarpments. This remote park offers a true back-to-nature experience with world-class hiking, swimming holes, and wildlife spotting—including platypuses and soaring peregrine falcons.
Highlights & What to See
- Ebor Falls: A spectacular double-drop waterfall plunging into the Guy Fawkes River gorge—easy access from the main road.
- Guy Fawkes River Gorge: Hike the Wonga Walk for panoramic views of the 600-metre-deep chasm, ancient Antarctic beech trees, and lyrebirds.
- Chaelundi Falls and Campground: A remote gem with a swimming hole beneath the falls; accessed via 4WD-only tracks.
- Wilderness Walking Tracks: The 4.5 km Wonga Walk is the park's signature trail, but serious hikers can tackle the multi-day Guy Fawkes River Walk.
- Platypus Spotting: Dawn and dusk along the Guy Fawkes River offer the best chance to see these shy monotremes.
- Stargazing: With minimal light pollution, the park is a Dark Sky Sanctuary—perfect for Milky Way views.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most visitors come for a day trip, focusing on Ebor Falls and the Wonga Walk (allow 2–3 hours). To fully experience the wilderness, plan for a long weekend: hike to Chaelundi Falls, explore side gorges, and camp overnight. The park's remote tracks require a high-clearance 4WD and self-sufficiency—fuel up in Dorrigo or Ebor before entering.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Dorrigo National Park: Just north, with the Skywalk and iconic Dorrigo Rainforest Centre—a must for lush Gondwana rainforest.
- New England National Park: Further south, offering the Point Lookout viewpoint and alpine walks.
- Coffs Harbour: Coastal base with beaches, the Big Banana, and a relaxed vibe—ideal for a post-hike recovery.
- Bellingen: A quirky artist town with the Bellinger River, great cafés, and the Never Never Creek swimming holes.
- Waterfall Way: The scenic drive linking Dorrigo, Ebor, and Armidale—packed with waterfalls and lookout stops.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
Explore more
Image credits
- Ebor Falls — Amos T Fairchild / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Dorrigo National Park — Cgoodwin / CC BY-SA 3.0
- New England National Park — Shiftchange ( talk ) / Public domain
- Coffs Harbour — Paul Lakin / CC BY 3.0
- Bellingen — Wikistellar01 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Waterfall Way — Cgoodwin / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Chaelundi Falls — Cgoodwin / CC BY-SA 4.0