Whian Whian mountain biking trails
North Coast
Overview
Suitable for bushwalkers, cyclists and horseriders, Whian Whian mountain biking trails near Byron Bay offer stunning views of waterfalls and rainforest.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Distance
- 46km of trails
- Time suggested
- 1 to 5 hr
- Grade
- Medium. There are 6 trails to choose from and each trail has a different length and difficulty level. Some have steep uphill sections.
- What to
bring - Drinking water, sturdy shoes, suitable clothing, clothes for all weather conditions, raincoat, hat, helmet, bike repair kit, snacks, first aid kit, sunscreen, topographic map, compass, gps, personal locator beacon
- Please note
- This is a multi-use trail network so some trails are shared by horse riders, bushwalkers and cyclists.
- There are 6 trails and each one ranges from 4km up to 19km. There’s a trail map sign installed at Telephone Road trailer carpark.
- Advanced riders can choose to return from Rocky Creek back to Rummery Park campground via Nightcap Range Road. Allow an extra 1.5 hours and take care as cars share this road.
- Bookings are required for camping at Rummery Park campground
- Cooler autumn and winter months are best for long rides. The waterfalls are most spectacular in summer and autumn.
This 46km network of dirt roads, fire trails and paths passes through the dense rainforests of Whian Whian State Conservation Area and Nightcap National Park in the Byron Bay hinterland. Cycle, horse ride or walk the gently undulating terrain with ancient kauri, bunya and hoop pines towering above you.
With 6 trails to choose from, there’s something for all ages and experience levels. Families will enjoy the shorter 1 to 2hr loops starting from Telephone Road carpark. Cycle along Baldwin Road and be sure to take the short detour to check out beautiful Quondong Falls.
From Rummery Park campground try the 1.5hr loop starting on Eastern Boundary Trail. It has steep sections but rewards you with views of Minyon Falls. Take care because cars share the Minyon Drive section.
Advanced riders can tackle the 4 to 5 hour one-way trail from Rummery Park campground. Head up Peates Mountain Road and enjoy spectacular cliff top views of Wanganui Gorge and the waterfall at Goonengerry Escarpment. You’ll ride the park’s highest track before descending to Rocky Creek Dam for pickup.
Base yourself at Rummery Park campground if you’re keen for more riding and walking adventures in these neighbouring parks.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/cycling-trails/whian-whian-mountain-biking-trails/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Whian Whian State Conservation Area in the North Coast region
Whian Whian State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather.
- in Nightcap National Park in the North Coast region
Nightcap National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather, fire danger or management operations.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Whian Whian mountain biking trails.
Getting there and parking
Whian Whian mountain biking trails are in the eastern area of Whian Whian State Conservation Area and Nightcap National Park. To get there:
From the eastern park entrance (via Rosebank):
- Take Minyon Drive and continue past Minyon Falls picnic area and over the causeway
- Turn right on Peates Mountain Road and continue to Rummery Park campground carpark
From the southern park entrance on Nightcap Range Road (via Dunoon):
- On Dunoon Road continue north up Nightcap Range Road to the top of the range
- Park at Telephone Road trailer parking
If driving with horse floats take Nightcap Range Road and then park at Telephone Road Trailer Parking.
Cycling trail access
- 2 of the trails start from Telephone Road trailer parking
- The other 4 trails start from Rummery Park campground carpark
Road quality
- Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Vehicle parking is available at:
- Telephone Road trailer parking (corner of Nightcap Range Road).
- Rummery Park campground.
- Minyon Falls lookout.
- Minyon Grass picnic area.
- Rocky Creek Dam (outside the park).
Horse float parking is only available at the Telephone Road trailer parking area. To get there enter via Nightcap Range Road.
Facilities
Toilets
Located at Rummery Park campground, Minyon Grass and Minyon Falls day use areas.
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Located at Telephone Road Trailer Carpark, Rummery Park campground, Minyon Grass and Minyon Falls day use areas.
Barbecue facilities
Located at Rummery Park campground.
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Permitted
Bushwalking is permitted on this multiuse trail network.
Cycling
Mountain biking is permitted on this multiuse trail network.
Drones
You can use a drone only if you have approval from the NSW National Parks area office. But you can’t use a drone at Rummery Park campground or areas with visitors.
Horses
Horse riding is permitted on this multiuse trail network.
Prohibited
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Camping
Fishing
Gathering firewood
Generators
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.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Whian Whian mountain biking trails is in Whian Whian State Conservation Area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
4,000 years of Aboriginal culture
The conservation area is located within the traditional lands of the Widjabal clan of the Bundjalung Nation. Evidence from recorded sites suggests Aboriginal use of the Nightcap Range for at least the last 4,000 years. The area has intrinsic cultural values to the Widjabal People and the land has significant connections with other recorded sites in the adjacent Nightcap National Park.
- Byan Yangala loop walk Travel back in time as you walk through ancient Gondwana rainforest on the Byan Yangala loop walk. Immerse yourself in nature less than 1 hour from Byron Bay.
Historic heritage of timber-getters
Lured by the opportunity of employment in difficult times, timber-getters began logging in the Whian Whian area in the 1830s for red cedar, a particularly sought after timber. In 1871, surveyors identified a track over Nightcap Range to link Lismore with Murwillumbah. This allowed cedar-getters access to previously isolated expanses of forest. The Rummery Park campground was originally a forestry camp, and its use dates back to the 1930s. The inter-war period was the most active period for forestry use of the campground. Peates Mountain Road (now part of the Nightcap track) was built during the depression of the 1920s and 1930s. Sleeper-cutters who claimed timber unsuitable for milling, camped nearby on the other side of Boggy Creek at Rummery Park.
- Historic Nightcap walking track Historic Nightcap walking track leads through World Heritage-listed rainforest, offering scenic views across Nightcap National Park and Whian Whian State Conservation Area, near Byron Bay.
Plant life galore
An astounding 520 plant species have been recorded here – making it an incredibly diverse place when it comes to vegetation. There are 10 broad ecosystems, including subtropical and warm temperate rainforests and various types of wet sclerophyll forest.
- Boggy Creek walk Boggy Creek walk in Whian Whian State Conservation Area takes you through blackbutt forest and along the beautiful Boggy Creek to Minyon Falls. You can swim in the inviting pools along the creek.
- Historic Nightcap walking track Historic Nightcap walking track leads through World Heritage-listed rainforest, offering scenic views across Nightcap National Park and Whian Whian State Conservation Area, near Byron Bay.
Walk with the animals
There’s also an incredible variety of native animal species thriving in these rainforests – over 270 native species, around 50 of which are listed as threatened, including the spotted tailed quoll. Koalas and Albert’s lyrebird, with its distinctive calls and mimicking echoes, can often be heard through the forest in the cooler months.
- Byan Yangala loop walk Travel back in time as you walk through ancient Gondwana rainforest on the Byan Yangala loop walk. Immerse yourself in nature less than 1 hour from Byron Bay.
- Whian Whian mountain biking trails Suitable for bushwalkers, cyclists and horseriders, Whian Whian mountain biking trails near Byron Bay offer stunning views of waterfalls and rainforest.
World heritage worthy
The conservation area has similar vegetation and natural heritage values as those found in the adjoining Nightcap National Park, one of the 50 reserves in northeast NSW and southeast Queensland that make up World Heritage Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves Australia.
- Whian Whian mountain biking trails Suitable for bushwalkers, cyclists and horseriders, Whian Whian mountain biking trails near Byron Bay offer stunning views of waterfalls and rainforest.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Albert's lyrebird (Menura alberti)
The Albert’s lyrebird is much rarer than the superb lyrebird. Distinguished by its richer brown plumage and less elaborate tail feathers, it’s protected as a threatened species in NSW.
-
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.
-
Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.
-
Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.