Hastings Forest Way touring route
North Coast, Country NSW
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Hastings Forest Way touring route.
Getting there and parking
Hastings Forest Way is in the eastern part of Werrikimbe National Park and the southern part of Willi Willi National Park. It starts in Wauchope and continues up to Brushy Mountain. To get there:
- From Wauchope, drive through town to the west along the Oxley Highway, turn right towards Beechwood on Beechwood Road, sign posted as Werrikimbe National Park 63kms.
- At Beechwood, turn right onto Bellangry Road, signposted as Werrikimbe National Park 56km
- After 17km the road changes from tar to gravel and becomes known as Hastings Forest Way
- From the start of the gravel travel 37.7km to the intersection of Cockerawombeeba Road and bear right along Hastings Forest Way for 2km. The entrance for Brushy Mountain is on the right.
Please note that access to Werrikimbe National Park is on roads managed by other land holders. Road conditions in these locations may not be suitable for 2WD vehicles.
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as Hastings Forest Way can become boggy when it rains.
Parking
Parking is available along the Hastings Forest Way touring route.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Werrikimbe National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Bathe in warm days and huddle around the campfire on cool nights at one of the remote campgrounds.
Spring
See the bushland burst with colour as the spring wildflowers attract a range of birds.
Summer
Escape the crowds and the coastal heat and enjoy walking in cool temperate rainforest.
Winter
Experience crystal clear days and crisp early morning frosts. Listen out for the night-time territorial calls of large forest owls from your tent.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
16°C and 29°C
Highest recorded
42.2°C
Winter temperature
Average
5°C and 20°C
Lowest recorded
-5.1°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February
Driest month
July
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
706.8mm
Facilities
- You'll need to bring your own drinking and cooking water
- Firewood is not supplied and may not be collected from the park
- You are encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
If you're travelling through a national park or reserve on a public road you can have pets inside your vehicle. However, you must keep them inside your vehicle while driving through national parks or reserves. You must also comply with any conditions in the park’s plan of management, and you cannot stop to visit the park or use park facilities (unless for safety reasons, or to use publicly accessible toilets).
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Operated by
- Kempsey office
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6561 6700
- npws.hastingsmacleay@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 247 Old Station Rd, Verges Creek NSW 2440
Park info
- in Willi Willi National Park in the North Coast and Country NSW regions
Willi Willi National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- in Werrikimbe National Park in the North Coast and Country NSW regions
Werrikimbe National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.