Rowleys Rock lookout
Tapin Tops National Park
Overview
From Rowleys Rock lookout in Tapin Tops National Park, you can stand over 1000m above sea level and enjoy astonishing scenic views out over the park, Taree and beyond.
- Type
- Lookouts
- Where
- Tapin Tops National Park in North Coast
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- This park is in a remote location, so please ensure you’re well-prepared, bring appropriate clothing and equipment and advise a family member or friend of your travel plans.
- There is no mobile reception in this park.
Feel like a bit of a hike with an incredible reward at the end? Then take the 45-minute trek up the mountain to Rowleys Rock lookout, with its unparalleled views out across the park and the ocean beyond.
Once you’re there, catch your breath while taking a seat on the quartzite rock outcrop, and soaking in the 360-degree panoramic views some 1000m above sea level.
From the viewing platform on top of the mountain, you can see the catchment area of Caparra Creek to the southeast and the extensive forested hinterland toward Nowendoc in the west. Just below the viewing platform lies an outcrop of exposed rocks, which is known as ‘Head and Shoulders Cliff’.
You may even spot a wedge-tailed eagle soaring in the sky above you.
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/lookouts/rowleys-rock-lookout/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 Tapin Tops National Park in the North Coast region
Tapin Tops National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Rowleys Rock lookout.
Getting there and parking
Rowleys Rock lookout is in the northern precinct of Tapin Tops National Park. To get there:
- From Wingham, take Elands Road and Wherrol Flat Road to Wherrol Flat
- Turn left onto Dingo Tops Road and follow to Dingo Tops campground
- Continue north on Knodingbul Road for approximately 2kms
- Turn right into Rowleys Road
- Take the first right into Rowleys Rock Road (vehicles towing trailers / long-wheelbase campervans should be parked at this location)
- Take Rowleys Rock Road for 400m to the carpark
- It’s a 45 minute strenuous walk from here to the lookout.
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at Rowleys Rock lookout.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Tapin Tops National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
The autumn colours in Dingo Tops campground are nothing short of spectacular in autumn, making it a perfect spot for a picnic or a stroll on a crisp, clear day.
Spring
Enjoy the fresh young growth and newborn animals on walks to the spectacular Rowleys Rock lookout with its panoramic views, or wandering through the rainforest along Potaroo Falls walk or Mountain Brush circuit.
Summer
Escape the heat and humidity of the coast and go swimming at the lovely Potoroo Falls, or enjoy the fresh mountain air at Dingo Tops campground.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
18°C and 30°C
Highest recorded
42.2°C
Winter temperature
Average
7°C and 23°C
Lowest recorded
-5.1°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
July
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
234.6mm
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.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Rowleys Rock lookout is in Tapin Tops National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A botanist’s dream
An impressive 20 different forest types have been mapped within the park, providing a fantastic variety of unique plants. The temperate, subtropical rainforest is dominated by corkwood, crabapple, sassafras and booyong with majestic yellow carabeen at higher altitudes. There’s also myrtle-dominated rainforest and viney scrub. This diverse flora habitat has several threatened plants species, such as the endangered climbing vine and a rare, vulnerable orchid. A variety of different eucalypts can be seen in Tapin Tops, including brushbox, tallowwood, blue gum, bloodwood, silvertop stringybark and grey gum.
- Mountain Brush circuit This easy walk through the rainforest is a treat for birdwatchers and botanists alike with its lively array of interesting plants, birds and wildlife
- Potoroo Falls walk Take a walk along Potoroo Falls walk which leads from the picnic area through rainforest to the beautiful Potoroo Falls, with its tranquil swimming hole.
- Rowleys Rock lookout From Rowleys Rock lookout in Tapin Tops National Park, you can stand over 1000m above sea level and enjoy astonishing scenic views out over the park, Taree and beyond.
A long, rich, Aboriginal culture
Tapin Tops National Park is part of the traditional lands of the Biripi People and this incredible landscape has helped them form their identity and spirituality. The name, ‘Tapin’, means ‘dingo’ in their language, as the park provides habitat to native wild dingos.
Part of our forestry past
Prior to becoming a national park, this area was part of Bulga and Dingo state forests, which were logged over the last 80 years. In the campground, you can see fascinating relics of road building and forestry operations that date back to pioneering days.
So many amazing animals
Birdwatchers will want to keep their eyes out for the black and gold regent bowerbird, the green catbird, and the topknot pigeons resting in the treetops. Three threatened species of owls have been recorded here (sooty, powerful and masked owls), although if you spot these rare creatures you are lucky indeed, as they are hardly ever seen. During the day, listen out for the superb lyrebird’s call. Other incredible animals you might be lucky enough to encounter here include the parma wallaby, the spotted-tailed quoll, or brush turkeys scratching on the forest floor. Koalas are present feeding at night, moving between trees in search of the succulent leaves from the eucalypt. They then spend most of the day sleeping in the extensive canopy.
- Mountain Brush circuit This easy walk through the rainforest is a treat for birdwatchers and botanists alike with its lively array of interesting plants, birds and wildlife