Mount Warning National Park

A sunrise hike to the top of Mt. Warning, the world's largest extinct shield volcano, rewards the visitor with a view of the first rays of sunlight to hit the Australian mainland. Mt Warning and the surrounding rainforest starred as the feature location of the animated film FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992).

History

The name Mt Warning was given by Captain Cook in May 1770 during his voyage up the east coast of Australia - as a landmark to warn of the reefs that lie to the north. To the local Aboriginal Bundjalung community it is known as Wollumbin. Wollumbin National Park includes the former Mount Warning National Park (the parks were combined in August 2009). Under Bundjalung traditional law, only certain people can climb Wollumbin, so consider choosing to respect their wishes before you climb. The NSW government acknowledges and publishes the tribal concerns at the beginning of the track but does not ban climbing.

Climate

Take the Pacific Highway to Murwillumbah. Kyogle Road runs west for 12 km to Mount Warning Road. The park entrance is 6 km.

No fees or permits are required.

The base of Mt. Warning is a lush rainforest reaching up to the cliff-like rim of the crater. The park contains sub-tropical flora and fauna including numerous tropical birds and occasional sightings of the pademelon wallaby.

• The hike to the summit is 2 hours up and 2 hours back. The track is a steep 9-km return trip, with a challenging rock scramble with a chain at the end.

• World Heritage Rainforest Centre

  phone: +61 2 6672 1340
  address: Cnr Tweed Valley Way & Alma St, Murwillumbah
  Features a theatrette and rainforest interpretive centre. Maps, posters and souvenirs. Accommodation, tour and cruise booking service. Open every day. http://www.tweedtourism.com.au

Water, water and water. Take at least 2 litres of water.

No camping is allowed inside the park.

Lodging

• Hillcrest Mountain View Retreat

• Gold Coast