Rainforest loop
Dooragan National Park
Overview
This relaxing walk close to Laurieton and Port Macquarie loops through rainforest to a remote lookout with coastal views, before returning to Dooragan Summit picnic area.
- Where
- Dooragan National Park in North Coast
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Distance
- 0.6km loop
- Time suggested
- 15 - 30min
- Grade
- Grade 4
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water, binoculars, insect repellent
- Please note
- At times, as with anywhere in the bush, ticks, leeches, and other biting insects may be about, and it’s a good idea to wear light-coloured clothing and insect repellent if you’re sensitive to such bites.
Rainforest loop is a relatively relaxed walk leading to the furthest end of the loop, where a small remote lookout platform gives lovely views of Diamond Head.
On the southern side of the loop, the rainforest - with its suspended gallery of birds nest ferns - plunges you into an amazing green cathedral. You can see epiphyte orchids and other plants on this part of the loop walk. There’s also an amazing example of a strangler fig near the carpark.
The northern end of this loop track is wheelchair-accessible.
Surprisingly few people use this track, so the casual picnic visitor to the lookouts could easily find a little piece of solitude and serenity in the cool harmony of the rainforest here. Starting and ending at Dooragan Summit picnic area, enjoy scenic views over the coast and watch hang-gliders launch themselves from the summit.
Take a virtual tour of Rainforest loop captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Nearby
-
Laurieton track
This challenging walk from Laurieton town to scenic Dooragan Summit picnic area on North Brother Mountain is not to be missed. The views are some of the best across northern New South Wales.
-
Dooragan Summit picnic area
Enjoy Dooragan Summit picnic area near Laurieton for its stunning panoramic scenery. After gazing at coastal vistas, have a picnic or walk to more fantastic viewpoints.
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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
Operated by
- Port Macquarie office
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6588 5555 for general enquiries only, no bookings.
- npws.hastingsmacleay@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 22 Blackbutt Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Park info
- in Dooragan National Park in the North Coast region
Dooragan National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
What's nearby:
Things to do (18)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (8)
- Canoeing/paddling (1)
- Fishing (3)
- Historic heritage (1)
- Photography (1)
- Picnics and barbecues (8)
- Sailing, boating and cruises (1)
- Sightseeing (8)
- Surfing (5)
- Swimming (2)
- Walking (8)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (2)