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Chaelundi campground

Guy Fawkes River National Park

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Learn more about why this park is special

Chaelundi campground is in Guy Fawkes River National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Gold rush

Adams Hut, Guy Fawkes River National Park: Photo: S Leathers

Major Edward Parke named Guy Fawkes River after camping nearby on Guy Fawkes Day, November 5, 1845. Gold was discovered in the late 1800s at Ballards Flat and Dalmorton, with the latter once supporting a town of 3,000 people during a short gold rush. A couple of building ruins remain today and old stockmen huts and yards are still present throughout the valleys.

Routes of time

Views towards Ebor Falls, Guy Fawkes River National Park. Photo: Tony Karacsonyi

Archaeological sites suggest that Aboriginal people have occupied these valleys for over 10,000 years. The Guy Fawkes and Boyd rivers once served as important traffic and trade routes linking the tablelands to the coast. Ebor Falls was traditionally named 'Martiam', which means 'Great Falls' in Gumbaynggir language.

Unique geology

Views across the escarpment, Guy Fawkes River National Park. Photo: G James

The north-south line of the Guy Fawkes River cuts through the Demon fault line, a 240-million-year-old crack in the landscape. In the south of the park the Ebor volcano spewed lava across the landscape. This created the Ebor Falls, with their unusual organ pipe-like rock formations.

  • Ebor Falls A great stop-off between the coast and Armidale along Waterfall Way, Ebor Falls offers spectacular waterfall views and scenic lookouts.
  • Escarpment walk Escarpment walk in Guy Fawkes River National Park is a forest walk that takes hikers past Chaelundi Falls and Lucifers Thumb, all the way to Spring Gully picnic area.
  • Misty Creek lookout Enjoy scenic views from Misty Creek lookout over Guy Fawkes River Gorge, near Coffs Harbour, and Chaelundi campground.
  • Muurlay Garriirlgundi track Muurlay Garriirlgundi track joins the Upper and Lower Ebor Falls in Guy Fawkes River National Park. This easy 2km return walk features 6 lookouts, offering different views of majestic waterfalls.
  • Upper Falls loop walk With stunning waterfall views, the 360m accessible Upper Falls loop walk is ideal for walking with children. It’s a great way to explore the rugged landscapes of Guy Fawkes River National Park in Ebor...

Wild about species

Ebor Falls, Guy Fawkes River National Park. Photo: Jeremy Little

The park is an incredible biodiversity hotspot. There are over 40 different plant communities and about 1000 plant species in the park, along with 28 threatened plant species, 24 threatened animal species, and significant areas of old growth forest. The endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby can be seen in the rocky areas of the park, while glossy black cockatoos are often spotted throughout the park. The park is also one of the few remaining areas in Australia where purebred dingoes can still be found. The park is a conservation site for one of the most significant areas of wilderness in northern NSW, extending over 84,000ha of the 107,000ha park. This preserves the biodiversity of the park, allowing its natural ecosystems to be kept free from excessive human impact.

  • Ebor Falls A great stop-off between the coast and Armidale along Waterfall Way, Ebor Falls offers spectacular waterfall views and scenic lookouts.
  • Escarpment walk Escarpment walk in Guy Fawkes River National Park is a forest walk that takes hikers past Chaelundi Falls and Lucifers Thumb, all the way to Spring Gully picnic area.
  • Misty Creek lookout Enjoy scenic views from Misty Creek lookout over Guy Fawkes River Gorge, near Coffs Harbour, and Chaelundi campground.
  • Muurlay Garriirlgundi track Muurlay Garriirlgundi track joins the Upper and Lower Ebor Falls in Guy Fawkes River National Park. This easy 2km return walk features 6 lookouts, offering different views of majestic waterfalls.
  • Upper Falls loop walk With stunning waterfall views, the 360m accessible Upper Falls loop walk is ideal for walking with children. It’s a great way to explore the rugged landscapes of Guy Fawkes River National Park in Ebor...

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • A spotted-tailed quoll walks across a moss-covered forest floor at night. Photo: Lachlan Hall © Lachlan Hall

    Spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus)

    The spotted-tailed quoll is the largest remaining carnivorous marsupial on the Australian mainland. It’s protected as a vulnerable species in NSW.

Look out for...

Spotted-tailed quoll

Dasyurus maculatus

A spotted-tailed quoll walks across a moss-covered forest floor at night. Photo: Lachlan Hall © Lachlan Hall

The spotted-tailed quoll is the largest remaining carnivorous marsupial on the Australian mainland. It’s protected as a vulnerable species in NSW.

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