Rainforest walk

Coramba Nature Reserve

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

Rainforest walk in Coramba Nature Reserve, near Coffs Harbour, is a great place to take a delightful stroll and enjoy birdwatching through a rare protected rainforest.

Distance
0.8km return
Time suggested
15 - 27min
Grade
Grade 4
Please note
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching

Few rainforest walks are as lovely as this walk found in Coramba Nature Reserve. A relaxing 800m return walk will take you down to Orara River, following under the cool canopy of the rainforest and past majestic old-growth trees.

The rainforest here is one of a few remaining stands of lowland rainforest along the Orara River and has been listed as endangered. Thankfully, a regeneration program has protected and preserved it for visitors to enjoy.

This is also a wonderful place to go birdwatching, as here you’ll spot the many native birds of the area, including rose-crowned fruit doves, figbirds, noisy pittas, brown cuckoo doves and white-headed pigeons.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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-walk/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Rainforest walk.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

0.8km return

Time

15 - 27min

Quality of markings

Limited signage

Experience required

Some bushwalking experience recommended

Gradient

Flat

Steps

No steps

Quality of path

Rough track, many obstacles

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    Rainforest walk is in Coramba Nature Reserve. To get there:

    From Coffs Harbour:

    • Travel 10km northwest via Coramba Road
    • Turn left into Coramba Recreation Ground

    From Coramba:

    • Travel 2.5km north along Orara Way
    • Turn right into Coramba Recreation Ground

    Parking

    Parking is available on the Coramba Recreation Ground carpark adjacent to the reserve. 

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you in Coramba Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.

    Spring

    Take a walk along Orara River and bring your binoculars to spot native birds, such as wompoo fruit doves, rose-crowned fruit doves, figbirds, noisy pitas, brown cuckoo doves and white-headed pigeons.

    Summer

    Escape the heat with a tranquil stroll through the rainforest down to the river, enjoying cool canopy shade.

    Winter

    When the weather is wet, the mushrooms are in full bloom in the reserve and you'll be able to spot some amazingly bright and beautiful colours.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    17°C and 29°C

    Highest recorded

    43.3°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    5°C and 20°C

    Lowest recorded

    -3.2°C

    Rainfall

    Wettest month

    March

    Driest month

    August

    The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

    388.2mm

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    Bushwalking safety

    If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    River and lake safety

    The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

    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 walk is in Coramba Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Aboriginal culture

    Entrance to the Rainforest walk, Coramba Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

    The reserve's name is taken from the name of the nearby town of Coramba, which is in turn derived from the local Aboriginal Gumbaynggirr name for mountain. The land has once served as a fringe dwelling site and meeting place for the Gumbaynggirr people.

    Interesting wildlife

    Fungi, Coramba Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

    The reserve is the only patch of lowland subtropical rainforest in the Clarence Valley that features white booyong, along with other flood-tolerant species, such as pepperberry, giant stinging tree, and one of the best stands of turnip wood in the area.

    • Rainforest walk Rainforest walk in Coramba Nature Reserve, near Coffs Harbour, is a great place to take a delightful stroll and enjoy birdwatching through a rare protected rainforest.

    Protected rainforest

    Orara River, Coramba Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

    The reserve, though small, is an important ecological community, as it is one of only a very few remaining stands of lowland rainforest along Orara River and is listed as endangered under the Threatened Species Conservation (TSC) Act. A successful rainforest regeneration program has been carried out to protect the reserve's natural resources.

    • Rainforest walk Rainforest walk in Coramba Nature Reserve, near Coffs Harbour, is a great place to take a delightful stroll and enjoy birdwatching through a rare protected rainforest.

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • Long-nosed bandicoot, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Narelle King

      Long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta)

      A nocturnal marsupial and one of the smaller Australian native animals, the long-nosed bandicoot is found across eastern Australia. Populations in the Sydney region have dwindled since European settlement, leaving only endangered colonies in inner western Sydney and at North Head, near Manly. The long-nosed bandicoot has grey-brown fur and a pointed snout which it uses to forage for worms and insects.

    • Profile view of a grey-headed flying-fox flying past eucalupt trees. Photo: Shane Ruming © Shane Ruming

      Grey-headed flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

      The grey-headed flying fox is Australia's largest native bat, with a wingspan up to 1m. This threatened species travels up and down south-eastern Australia and plays a vital role in pollinating plants and spreading seeds in our native forests.

    Education resources (1)