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.
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/rainforest-loop/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 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.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Rainforest loop.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
0.6km loop
Time
15 - 30min
Quality of markings
Limited signage
Experience required
No experience required
Quality of path
Well-formed track
Gradient
Gentle hills: The northern part of the walk is bitumen for 200m. The track then becomes hard-packed gravel as you turn the bend to the southern part of the loop.
Steps
Occasional steps: As the loop turns and heads south, there are sets of timber steps ranging from between 1 to 5 steps each.
Other barriers
Pinch points: In the southern part of the loop, there are points where the track narrows due to rocks, tree roots and vegetation.
Accessible options
The northern end of this loop is around 200m of bitumen seal path that takes you on a gentle downhill through coastal rainforest to a lookout. It's suitable for wheelchairs, prams and people with reduced mobility.
Some assistance may be required on gentle hill sections and there may be occasional obstacles on the path.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
On entering Dooragan National Park:
- Enter the park via Captain Cook Bicentennial Drive, just north of the main part of Laurieton.
- Travel 5km up Captain Cook Bicentennial Drive to Summit picnic area (there’s a carpark at the terminal end of this dead-end road access point)
- Enter Rainforest loop from the western side of the picnic area, opposite the toilet block and shelter shed.
- Either ends of this loop walk are about 30m apart, off the edge of the western picnic area.
Parking
Parking is available in asphalt carparks at Summit picnic area, where this walk begins, including an accessible parking space.
It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited at times.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Dooragan National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
A colourful burst of wildflowers spring into bloom under the forest canopy, particularly in the open, grassy forest. Hill-topping butterflies start to use the summit area of the mountain, and on warm calm days, they spend all day dancing around near the lookout. .
Summer
This is the best time for north-easterly winds, favoured by hang-gliding enthusiasts. Watch the amazing spectacle of these masters of the sky launching themselves from the summit.
Winter
This is the best time to tackle the strenuous Laurieton track, with the weather cool enough to make the exercise a pleasant way to keep warm, and a great time to hear lyrebirds chortling away in the cool gullies nearby.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
23°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
40.2°C
Winter temperature
Average
16°C and 20°C
Lowest recorded
-5°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
310.6mm
Facilities
There are accessible toilets and picnic tables at Summit picnic area, where this walk begins.
Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
The northern end of Rainforest loop is around 200m of sealed bitumen path that leads gently downhill through coastal rainforest to a lookout. It's suitable for wheelchairs, prams and visitors with limited mobility.
There are gentle hill sections on this part of the walk and there may be occasional obstacles on the path.
Some assistance may be required in the southern part of the loop:
- There are timber steps
- The track narrows at points due to rocks, tree roots and plants
There's an accessible parking space, accessible toilets and picnic tables for resting at Summit picnic area where this walk begins and ends.
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
Rainforest loop is in Dooragan National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A choir of birdsong
While most visitors may see certain species around the lookouts - like cheeky magpies, currawongs and kookaburras - those with an ear for birds will find the forest has a greater diversity than their eyes would have them believe. Occasionally, a lucky birdwatcher may spot the dramatic flash of rainbow colour as a wompoo fruit-dove darts from place to place in search of rainforest fruits. Overhead, resident wedge-tailed eagles demonstrate their clever use of up-drafts, watching for where their next meal might come from.
- 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.
- Rainforest loop 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.
Dreamtime stories
The local Aboriginal people tell a Dreamtime story of three brothers in the Birpai tribe who were killed and buried where the mountains stand. The youngest of the three brothers was Dooragan, hence the park's name. Coincidentally, 'Three Brothers' was also a name given to the three mountains by Captain James Cook as he sailed past in 1770, without any knowledge that the local Aboriginal people referred to them in such a similar way.
Soar like an eagle
Popular for almost 30 years as a hang-gliding site, most park visitors leave launching themselves off the summit to the professionals, and just enjoy watching the awesome spectacle as experienced pilots lift off from and soar around the lookout area.
- Rainforest loop 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.
The lifeblood of Laurieton
Sixty or so years after Captain Cook passed by, the forests of North Brother Mountain and good access to waterways for easy transport and shipping, meant that timber harvesting contributed to the establishment of the Camden Haven area, and pioneer settlements developed around them.
- 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.