The Glade picnic area is in the western precinct of Dorrigo National Park. To get there:

From Armidale:

• Drive east along the Waterfall Way for approximately 90 minutes
• Turn left into Dome Road approximately 2km after you pass through Dorrigo
• Continue past the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre along Lyrebird Lane to the end

From Coffs Harbour:

• Travel south along the Pacific Highway
• After crossing the Bellinger River, take the Waterfall Way exit to Dorrigo via Bellingen
• Turn right at Dome Road and continue for approximately 1.6km to the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
• Continue past the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre along Lyrebird Lane to the end

Road quality

• Sealed roads

Vehicle access

• 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

• All weather

Parking

Parking is available in a bitumen carpark at The Glade picnic area, at the end of Lyrebird Lane. It includes 1 accessible parking space.

The weather at Dorrigo National Park can vary from warm to mild to cool, depending on the time of year you visit. The summer months usually have the highest rainfall.

Spring

The rainforest is alive with birdlife - walk the Lyrebird Link for a close up view.

Summer

Escape the summer heat along one of the waterfall tracks and feel the coolness envelope you.

• There is limited water available in this park, so it is a good idea to bring your own supply.
• The temporary path from the carpark into the picnic area has a gravel surface (a gradient of 1:8 for several metres, then more gently sloping) suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them. 

Toilets

There are accessible non-flush toilets set along the paved path that leads through the picnic area.

• Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

• Gas/electric barbecues (free)

Drinking water

Step-free access

The picnic area is gently sloping and step-free with paved pathways that lead past the picnic tables and to the large picnic shelter.

• Step-free outdoor pathways

• The Glade picnic area factsheet
• The Glade picnic area map (1.7MB pdf)

Disability access level - medium

The Glade picnic area is gently sloped and step-free, with the following accessible facilities:

• Paved paths that go past the picnic tables, the large picnic shelter and the toilets
• Accessible non-flush toilets that have a ramp with handrails leading up to the entrance.
• Accessible picnic tables
• 1 accessible parking space in the bitumen carpark

Please note: The temporary path from the carpark into the picnic area has a gravel surface (a gradient of 1:8 for several metres, then more gently sloping) suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them.

There are some picnic tables that aren't set along the paved path - you'll need to cross over a short stretch of flat grass to reach them.

• 14-day coastal tours from Sydney to Cairns Unleash your spirit of adventure on a sweeping East Coast tour with Via Travel Australia. Let each new day bring more enchanting sites to discover and enjoy, from Gondwana Rainforests to cascading waterfalls and sublime surf beaches.
• Dorrigo rainforest Aboriginal cultural tour Bring the family on this tour in Dorrigo National Park, near Coffs Harbour. Meet a Gumbaynggirr Ranger who will share language and culture as they guide you through the rainforest.
• Dorrigo Rainforest birds revealed self-guided audio tour Go on a self-guided audio tour through Dorrigo Rainforest and discover some of the interesting birds that call this place home. As you follow the track, you'll learn about the quirky habits, colourful personalities and unique calls of some of the park’s most prominent birds.
• Dorrigo rainforest ranger-guided tour Experience the rainforest like never before, on a ranger-guided walk through World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park. It's only 1hr from Coffs Harbour, but you'll feel worlds away.
• Junior ranger: Dorrigo Rainforest kids nature play Looking for something for the kids to do these school holidays? Join us for a fun tour in Dorrigo National Park, near Coffs Harbour. Kids aged 5 to 12 years can reconnect with nature through play.
• Lyrebird Link track Lyrebird link is an easy walking track in Dorrigo National Park near Coffs Harbour. It is a great spot for birdwatching and there are picnic and barbecue areas nearby.
• Satinbird stroll Satinbird stroll is an easy access trail through Dorrigo’s World Heritage rainforest, ideal for all the family, and offers birdwatching and a great place to picnic.
• Sensing the rainforest at Dorrigo National Park Join us and explore the rainforest in this Stage 3 (Years 5-6) Geography excursion in Dorrigo National Park. Students will experience the diverse features and characteristics of this subtropical Gondwana Rainforest of Australia.

• Volunteer at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre Join a fun and passionate team of people when you become a volunteer at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre shop. Help show off Dorrigo National Park to visitors from around world. Explain the park’s activities and offer information about the nearby town of Dorrigo.

• Dorrigo rainforest Aboriginal cultural tour Bring the family on this tour in Dorrigo National Park, near Coffs Harbour. Meet a Gumbaynggirr Ranger who will share language and culture as they guide you through the rainforest.

• 14-day coastal tours from Sydney to Cairns Unleash your spirit of adventure on a sweeping East Coast tour with Via Travel Australia. Let each new day bring more enchanting sites to discover and enjoy, from Gondwana Rainforests to cascading waterfalls and sublime surf beaches.
• 8-day NSW North Coast and Tablelands walking tour Join ParkTours for an 8-day walking holiday and discover the spectacular sights of the NSW North Coast and Northern Tablelands. Explore country towns, see stunning landscapes and go wildlife spotting.
• Dorrigo rainforest Aboriginal cultural tour Bring the family on this tour in Dorrigo National Park, near Coffs Harbour. Meet a Gumbaynggirr Ranger who will share language and culture as they guide you through the rainforest.
• Dorrigo rainforest ranger-guided tour Experience the rainforest like never before, on a ranger-guided walk through World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park. It's only 1hr from Coffs Harbour, but you'll feel worlds away.
• Junior ranger: Dorrigo Rainforest kids nature play Looking for something for the kids to do these school holidays? Join us for a fun tour in Dorrigo National Park, near Coffs Harbour. Kids aged 5 to 12 years can reconnect with nature through play.
• Lyrebird Link track Lyrebird link is an easy walking track in Dorrigo National Park near Coffs Harbour. It is a great spot for birdwatching and there are picnic and barbecue areas nearby.
• Sensing the Rainforest Sensing the rainforest is a Stage 1 (Years 1-2) school excursion in Dorrigo National Park, focusing on Geography. Students will explore the wonders of Dorrigo Rainforest - observing, listening, touching, smelling and searching to discover this special environment. It is a fun program for all ages, adults included.
• Wonga walk Take a walk amongst subtropical rainforest and 600-year-old trees along the Wonga walk in Dorrigo National Park, home to the Tristania and Crystal Falls.

Animals

• 

  Satin bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus)

  With vibrant blue-violet eyes and curious antics, the satin bowerbird is a favourite for bird watching and easy to spot as it forages for food in open forest. Relatively common across eastern Australia, in NSW they’re found in coastal rainforests and adjacent woodlands and mountain ranges.

• 

  Australian brush turkey (Alectura lathami)

  The Australian brush turkey, also known as bush or scrub turkey, can be found in rainforests along eastern NSW. With a striking red head, blue-black plumage and booming call, these distinctive Australian birds are easy to spot while bird watching in several NSW national parks.

• 

  Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)

  With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.

• 

  Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

  Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.

• 

  Wompoo fruit-dove (Ptilinopus magnificus)

  The wompoo fruit-dove is a marvellously multi-coloured pigeon that makes its home in rainforest along coastal ranges from mid-north NSW to southern Queensland. It’s protected as a vulnerable species in NSW.

Plants

• 

  Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum)

  Coachwood trees are Australian native plants that grow in warm temperate rainforests along coastal NSW. Also known as scented satinwood, the mottled grey bark of the coachwood has horizontal markings and a delicate fragrance.