Platypus Pool walking track
Werrikimbe National Park
Overview
Don’t miss Platypus Pool walking track when you’re staying at Mooraback campground in Werrikimbe National Park, near Walcha. You might spot a shy platypus as you walk alongside the Hastings River.
- Where
- Werrikimbe National Park in North Coast, Country NSW
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Distance
- 5km loop
- Time suggested
- 1hr 30min
- Grade
- Grade 3
- What to
bring - Drinking water
Platypuses are elusive, but this walk beside the river’s headwaters presents a rare chance of spotting one in the river pools. There’s a good population of this extraordinary monotreme here.
Platypus Pool walking track starts at Mooraback campground. On this 5km loop walk, you’ll journey alongside the river before heading up a gradual incline into remnant eucalypt forest and then back to the river. Along the way you’ll pass a hut, a legacy of Mooraback station, an early settlement in the area. Linger in the shade of ribbon gums, snow gums, New England blackbutt and wattle-leaved peppermint in the forest before heading back to the river and Mooraback campground.
Keep an eye out for the huge variety of wildlife in this area. You could see bandicoots, eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies and, if you’re very lucky, the rare parma wallaby. A range of forest birds make their home here, including eastern yellow and scarlet robins, grey and rufous fantails, varied sitella, brown thornbills and white-throated treecreepers. Birdwatchers, keep an eye out for rare species like the olive whistler, rufous scrub-bird and sooty owl.
Also see
-
Mooraback walking track
Mooraback walking track is in Werrikimbe National Park near Mooraback campground and picnic area. It’s a great way to enjoy snow gum forest and see native wildlife.
-
Mooraback campground
Escape the crowds at Mooraback campground, near Walcha, tucked among the snow gums. Explore nearby walking tracks and enjoy the tranquility of this isolated spot.
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/platypus-pool-walking-track/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 Werrikimbe National Park in the North Coast and Country NSW regions
Werrikimbe 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 Platypus Pool walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
5km loop
Time
1hr 30min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Flat
Steps
Occasional steps
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles
Getting there and parking
Platypus Pool walking track is in the Mooraback area of Werrikimbe National Park. To get there:
- Follow the Oxley Highway 55km east of Walcha or 150km west of Port Macquarie
- Turn onto Kangaroo Flat Road
- After approximately 19.5km, turn onto Mooraback Road and follow for 7km to the park entrance.
- After entering the park, Mooraback campground is another 7km along Mooraback Road.
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at Mooraback campground.
Facilities
There are no facilities available on this walk:
- There are no bins, so you’ll need to take all rubbish away with you.
- There are toilets, picnic tables and barbecues at Mooraback campground, at the start of this walk.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
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
Platypus Pool walking track is in Werrikimbe National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Abundant landscapes
You'll find three different rainforest types; cool temperate, warm temperate and subtropical. The park also contains significant endangered ecological communities, like at Bishops Swamp and Racecourse Swamp. Head to Mooraback campground to see the snow gum woodland that is slowly regenerating from over 100 years of grazing.
Thousands of species
There are close to 1,000 plant species found in Werrikimbe, including nearly 30 that are listed as rare or threatened. The diverse landscapes of Werrikimbe are home to a wide range of wildlife including around 52 species of mammals, over 120 bird species and 48 species of reptiles and amphibians. You'll see bandicoots, eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies including the rare parma wallaby, sometimes seen around Brushy Mountain. You'll also find a range of forest birds such as eastern yellow robins, scarlet robins, grey and rufous fantails. If you're lucky, you might spot rare species such as the olive whistler, rufous scrub-bird and sooty owl.
- King Fern walking track King Fern walking track in Werrikimbe National Park near Wauchope is a great introduction to World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. A 2km loop, it also offers waterfalls and vibrant birdlife.
Traditional lands of the Dungutti People
When you're exploring the beautiful mountains, rivers and bushlands of Werrikimbe National Park, you're on the traditional lands of the Dungutti Aboriginal People. Aboriginal groups continue to have an active role in the management of the park. There are a number of important sites in the park that show that Dungutti people are the original inhabitants of this land, including several stone arrangements and surface deposits of stone artefacts.
World Heritage wonder
The rainforests in Werrikimbe National Park are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area; the most extensive strip of diverse rainforest anywhere on earth. This World Heritage Area is a direct window into the past and the future, providing a link to the ancient pre-human world and an irreplaceable record of life on our planet. Explore the rainforest on one of the park's many walking tracks, like King Fern walking track from Plateau Beech campground. Discover ancient Antarctic beech trees and listen for the lyrebird whose mimicking calls ring out through the rainforest.
- Carabeen walk Discover World Heritage Gondwana Rainforest on Carabeen walk, in Werrikimbe National Park. This short, family-friendly walk loops past majestic yellow carabeen trees, near Walcha.
- King Fern walking track King Fern walking track in Werrikimbe National Park near Wauchope is a great introduction to World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. A 2km loop, it also offers waterfalls and vibrant birdlife.
- Platypus Pool walking track Don’t miss Platypus Pool walking track when you’re staying at Mooraback campground in Werrikimbe National Park, near Walcha. You might spot a shy platypus as you walk alongside the Hastings River.