Crystal Shower Falls walk
Dorrigo National Park
Overview
Walk through lush rainforest to reach Crystal Shower Falls in Dorrigo National Park near Coffs Harbour. Enjoy spectacular views from the rocky cavern behind the waterfall.
- Where
- Dorrigo National Park in North Coast
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Distance
- 3.2km return
- Time suggested
- 1hr - 1hr 30min
- Grade
- Grade 2
- Please note
Remember to check the weather before you go because it can change quickly.
Crystal Shower Falls walk is a short but stunning waterfall walk in Dorrigo that takes you behind the waterfall itself. It's easily combined with Walk with the Birds boardwalk.
Part of the Wonga walk circuit, Crystal Shower Falls walk starts from Dorrigo Rainforest Centre. Lush rainforest towers above you on the walk to the falls, and you might hear the call of fruit doves and other rainforest birds.
Once you reach the falls, a suspension bridge carries you across the valley in front of the falls for fantastic views of the waterfall dropping into the pool below. A short side track leads behind the waterfall into a rocky cavern, where you can look through the veil of falling water.
If you're feeling energetic, continue to Tristania Falls and loop back to the Rainforest Centre on Wonga walk. For a shorter walk, you can also reach Crystal Shower Falls from The Glade picnic area.
Also see
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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.
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Walk with the Birds boardwalk
Wind through the trees on wheelchair-accessible Walk with the Birds boardwalk and spot some of the 150 bird species found in Dorrigo National Park.
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The Glade picnic area
The Glade picnic area is part of Dorrigo National Park near Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast. This pretty rainforest clearing offers a great spot for a picnic or barbecue and lots of rainforest walks.
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Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is the best place for Dorrigo National Park visitor information and school excursion visits. Book a guided tour, take the Skywalk for stunning views out to Coffs Harbour or relax in the Canopy Cafe.
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/walking-tracks/crystal-shower-falls-walk/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 Dorrigo National Park in the North Coast region
Dorrigo 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 Crystal Shower Falls walk.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
3.2km return
Time
1hr - 1hr 30min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Gentle hills
Steps
Occasional steps
Quality of path
Formed track
Getting there and parking
Crystal Shower Falls walk starts at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre 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
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.
Parking
Parking is available at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, including several designated disabled spots.
Best times to visit
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.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Prohibited
Drones
Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.
This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.
Commercial filming and photography
Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.
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.
Visitor centre
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Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
142 Dome Road Dorrigo Mountain NSW 2453 - May to August 9am to 4pm daily. September to April 9am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 6657 5913
Learn more
Crystal Shower Falls walk is in Dorrigo National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A wide range of animals
Dorrigo National Park plays home to many different animals, including 30 types of mammals, more than 128 kinds of birds and 44 species of amphibians and reptiles. The dense forest is the ideal hiding place for reptiles, so you'll need to be very quiet and patient in order to catch a glimpse. Look for the southern angle-headed dragon clinging to the trunks of trees along the Wonga walk and the red-necked pademelon on the lawn by the Rainforest Centre.
- 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.
Dramatic waterfalls
The area is renowned for its dramatic waterfalls; so much that part of the park was first reserved in 1901 to protect the Sherrard and Newell Falls along the Waterfall Way. Today, there are a number of great rainforest walks in the park, try the Crystal Shower Falls walk for a journey behind the falls, or the longer Casuarina Falls circuit that offers views of Dorrigo Mountain and Rosewood River Valley.
- 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.
Rich Aboriginal heritage
Dorrigo National Park aims to manage Aboriginal sites, many of which are associated with natural features in the landscape. Involving local Aboriginal custodians in managing their traditional homelands, and continuing their connection to country, is a priority in Dorrigo National Park.
- 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.
World Heritage rainforests
The rainforests in Dorrigo National Park are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area; the most extensive strip of diverse rainforest anywhere on earth. The World Heritage Area is a direct window into the past and the future, providing a link to the ancient pre-human world and a stunning and irreplaceable record of life on our planet. You can explore the rainforest on one of the many walking tracks, like the Lyrebird Link that leaves from the Rainforest Centre.
- 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.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
Environments in this park
Education resources (1)
School excursions (6)
- Sensing the rainforest at Dorrigo, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography
- Venture to the falls, Stage 4 (Years 7-8), Geography
- Ecosystems at risk, Stage 6 (Years 11-12), Geography
- Sensing the rainforest at Dorrigo National Park, Stage 3 (Years 5-6), Geography
- Sensing the Rainforest, Stage 1 (Years 1-2), Geography
- Venture to the falls at Dorrigo, Stage 3 (Years 5-6), Geography