Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

Day 1: Manns Road track head to Sand Ridge campground

Distance: 8.5km
Time suggested: 2 to 4 hours
Toilets at: Manns Road track head, Sand Ridge campground
Water at: Sand Ridge campground

Your multi-day walk begins today, leading you into a landscape of diverse forests and tracks that will challenge and excite. Stop by Mullumbimby or Uki for last minute supplies before arriving at Manns Road track head – the last spot with reliable phone coverage until the start of day 2.

Ensure you have at least 3L of water per person for today’s walk and pack a reliable method to treat water for the days ahead. Start your walk at the Manns Road track head, following undulating paths through tall eucalypt forest and subtropical rainforest. Notice the striking contrasts in bark textures – from the rugged grooves of ironbark to the smooth, mottled grey of coachwoods.

Soon after you set out, a 3km return side track offers a chance to visit Unicorn Falls, a peaceful spot where moss-covered rocks frame a quaint waterfall. Continuing along the main track, the ridgeline leads to Whiskey Creek walk. Descending into the lush gully of Whisky Creek, you’ll be greeted by the refreshing sight of clear running waters with a vibrant green canopy overhead. This section includes 7 creek crossings – be mindful of slippery rocks and changing water levels after rain.

Take a moment at one of the creek crossings for a quiet morning tea and watch for the splash of an eastern water dragon. Continue on through eucalypt forest and subtropical rainforest and listen for the calls of the forest’s rare birdlife, including regent bowerbirds, paradise riflebirds and green catbirds. Crossing the creek a final time, you’ll follow an old logging track as it winds through towering palms and giant strangler figs on a gradual climb to the top of Middle Ridge. A little further on you'll descend off the ridge and eventually cross Sand Ridge bridge. A few hundred metres on, the track diverts off the management trail and leads you through creek lines framed by riparian rainforest.

The final ascent brings you to Sand Ridge campground, perched on a lower saddle of the ridge. Here, beneath the canopy of ancient New England blackbutt eucalypt forest, you can rest and reflect on your journey. An early night is recommended – tomorrow’s track will push your endurance with steep climbs but you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views.

Day 2: Sand Ridge campground to Yelgun Kyoomgun campground

Distance: 16km
Time suggested: 7 to 9 hours
Toilets at: Sand Ridge campground, Yelgun Kyoomgun campground
Water at: Sand Ridge campground, Yelgun Kyoomgun campground

Today’s walk is the longest and most challenging, offering sweeping views and a journey through eucalypt woodland and both warm temperate and subtropical rainforest. Prepare for uphill sections, numerous steps and 2 particularly steep sections that will test your stamina. Make sure you check your water supply before setting out, there are no refill points until Yelgun Kyoomgun campground.

Set out from Sand Ridge campground as early as possible, heading past the sheltered picnic table to the marked track at the southern end of the campsite. The walk begins with a steady 2hr climb through eucalypt forest and subtropical rainforest. Along the way, Grasstree lookout rewards you with magnificent views over the Tweed Caldera, with Wollumbin rising in the distance. The path you follow traces the ancient routes of Widjabul Wia-bal ancestors, who walked these lands many years ago while travelling through Country.

As the track winds south of Mount Jerusalem, the rainforest transitions into warm temperate rainforest before opening into eucalypt woodland. Look for lace monitors basking on sunlit tree trunks or moving stealthily through the undergrowth. Be cautious of slippery conditions after rain, particularly on the old Jerusalem Mountain Road. Soon you will arrive at Tweed Valley lookout, where views stretch across Commissioners Creek Valley. Back on the main track, you’ll descend into warm temperate rainforest. A 242m side track (one-way) offers a steep scramble to Jerusalem Cliffs, where dramatic views over Doon Doon await. From this rocky vantage point, look out for Doughboy Mountain and the Pinnacle in Border Ranges National Park. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of a goshawk or other birds of prey soaring overhead.

Crossing the Doon Doon saddle marks your departure from Mount Jerusalem National Park. This section of the track passes through a private property easement, so please respect the landholders by staying on the marked track and avoiding unnecessary stops. 

Soon after crossing into Nightcap National Park you will encounter Byron View lookout. On a clear day you can spot Byron Headland through a miraculous gap between surrounding landforms. The landscape here feels ancient and otherworldly, with dense rainforest and towering trees. Listen for the ‘chip chip’ call of the threatened rufous scrub-bird and watch for flashes of colour from fruit-eating rainforest doves.

The final climb takes you past Doughboy Mountain View lookout, with a spectacular vista to the north over Mount Tarrawyra. After a short walk, you will reach Tea Tree lookout, where fragrant tea tree scrub lines the Historic Nightcap track. To the south of the lookout, you’ll spot Postman’s Tree, a towering burnt-out New England blackbutt that once provided shelter for travelling postmen.

Day 2 comes to an end through temperate rainforest as you approach Yelgun Kyoomgun campground. Yelgun Kyoomgun (yell-gun key-oom-gun) means ‘sun and stars’ to reflect the view from the campground. The camp is nestled in an understorey rich with native mint and Lepidosperma clipeicola, a rare clumping sedge that only occurs in moist eucalypt forests at higher altitudes associated with the Mount Warning shield volcano. If you’re here during spring, vibrant yellow guinea flowers and blue flax lilies will be in bloom, adding bursts of colour to the landscape.

As night falls, watch for mountain brushtail possums and yellow-bellied gliders emerging in the treetops. Unwind as you take in the distant lights of Lismore twinkling far below – a magical close to an unforgettable day on the track.

Day 3: Yelgun Kyoomgun campground to Weeun Weeun campground

Distance: 11.5km
Time suggested: 3 to 5 hours
Toilets at: Yelgun Kyoomgun campground, Weeun Weeun campground
Water at: Yelgun Kyoomgun campground, Weeun Weeun campground

Your walk today will start and end with striking views. As you set out, the route descends along a ridgeline of the Nightcap Range. You’ll journey through landscapes that shift between rainforest and eucalypt forest. Look for bursts of orange fungi peeking through mossy carpets along the forest floor. In the cooler months, the elusive Albert’s lyrebird may be seen scratching through the leaf litter in search of food. The track weaves through shaded rainforest, following the gentle, soft paths of long-dormant logging roads.

You will cross Peates Mountain Road and link up to Perlite Road and Fork Fire Road before reaching the Eastern Fire Break. Midway along Fork Fire Road look out for the cascades which lead you off the track to a secluded creek, perfect for a cool down. Keep an eye on trail markers to stay on track, and take care crossing roads, as management vehicles may be present. Along the way, you might spot red-legged pademelons darting through the undergrowth.

As you approach Weeun Weeun campground, the landscape opens dramatically at Wanganui Gorge lookout. Sweeping views stretch across Coopers Creek and into Goonengerry National Park, framed by cascading waterfalls tumbling through cliffs and trees.  Arriving at Weeun Weeun campground, you’ll find yourself perched on the edge of Wanganui Gorge overlooking Goonengerry National Park. Weeun Weeun (wee-ahn wee-ahn) means ‘home of the cleverman’ in the language of the local Widjabul Wia-bal People.

The lookouts within the campground precinct offer unique perspectives of the Wanganui Valley, where dense rainforest clings to steep slopes featuring waterfalls. As you savour the view, take care to stay well back from the lookout barrier.

At night, go spotlighting to find vulnerable animals like the yellow-bellied glider and marbled frogmouth. Set your torch to a red light to avoid damaging their eyes. Settle in for your final night on the track beneath the towering blackbutt trees. Let the calls of cockatoos and eucalyptus-scented air set the tone for reflection on the incredible journey so far. Rest up – tomorrow’s grand finale at Minyon Falls awaits.

Day 4: Weeun Weeun campground to Minyon Falls lookout

Distance: 6km
Time suggested: 2 to 3 hours 
Toilets at: Weeun Weeun campground, Minyon Falls lookout
Water at: Weeun Weeun campground, Minyon Falls lookout

Day 4 begins with a clifftop path offering sweeping views of Wanganui Gorge and Coopers Creek. The track winds through rainforest and eucalypt forest, crossing creeks on the way to your final destination at Minyon Falls lookout.

The track takes you across creek crossings and wet areas on narrow boardwalks and stepping stones, surrounded by lush subtropical rainforest.

Filtered glimpses of the distant coast and Snows Gully Nature Reserve peek through the trees. Take extra care here, wet conditions can make the track slippery and the crossing can become impassable after or during heavy rainfall.

As you approach Rummery Park campground, you’ll discover a rustic timber walkway (tread carefully on the beams). Arriving at the campground, you’ll be greeted by resting kookaburras perched among the tall Hoop pines.

From here, follow Boggy Creek walk for about 45mins, tracing the clear waters of the creek. The track winds through gullies framed by towering blackbutt and turpentine trees, with short, steep climbs leading to tranquil resting spots beside the creek. As you near Minyon Falls, the crashing roar of the waterfall will guide you to the spectacular lookout. From the lookout platform, pause to take in the view of the deep palm-shaded gorge roughly 100m below – a fitting end to your 4-day adventure. On a clear day, the view stretches all the way to the coast.

If you’re still eager to explore, several short walking tracks await in the Minyon Falls area. Nearby Rummery Park campground provides a peaceful option for those wishing to stay longer. The view from Minyon Falls lookout is the best in the area.

Minyon Falls picnic area has plenty of shady trees and picnic tables to enjoy a snack. If you booked transfers with Vision Walks Eco Tours, meet them at the carpark for your return transfer.