10-Day National Park Hiking and Camping Route from Lennox Head

Sunset: Lennox Head–Seven Mile Beach

Arrive in Lennox Head with enough daylight to stretch your legs along Seven Mile Beach after 6:30 PM. The shoreline walk takes about 45 minutes, but allow extra time at the headland for the broad views over the Pacific—this is a particularly good first taste of the coast after travelling. Park near the beachfront village or along Pacific Parade, checking signs carefully, then keep valuables out of sight in the car. September evenings can cool quickly, so bring a light layer; sunset is around 5:30 PM, meaning this will be an evening coastal walk rather than a true sunset stroll.

Dinner and Camp Setup

After the walk, head into the Lennox Head Cultural Centre area and the village cafés and restaurants for takeaway, budgeting roughly A$20–35 per person. Most dinner options close by about 8:00–9:00 PM, so order promptly rather than leaving it until late; local fish-and-chips, burgers, or Thai are easy choices for a camping night. Collect water and any breakfast supplies before settling in—Lennox Head Holiday Park is convenient to the beach, but nearby shops may have limited hours in the evening. Drive only a few minutes back to the reserved campsite, check in if reception is still open, and organize your tent, sleeping gear, food storage, and headlamp while you still have some light.

Later Evening

Finish with a short stargazing walk near the Lennox Head coastal lookout, provided conditions are clear. Keep to marked paths and avoid standing close to unlit cliff edges; the ocean breeze can be strong even when the village feels calm. From here, return directly to Lennox Head Holiday Park for an early night—tomorrow’s drive to Nightcap National Park is best started around 5:30–6:00 AM, via Bangalow, Federal, and The Channon, with breakfast and fuel handled before leaving the coast.

Early Morning

Leave Lennox Head around 5:30–6:00 AM and head inland toward Nightcap National Park, arriving at the Protesters Falls Track after roughly 1.5–2 hours via Bangalow, Federal and The Channon. Start early for cooler temperatures, better parking and the best chance of having the rainforest mostly to yourself. The track takes about two hours return and leads through lush subtropical forest to the waterfall viewpoint; allow extra time after rain, when sections can be muddy and slippery. Check current alerts and access conditions with NSW National Parks before leaving, and carry water, insect repellent and a rain shell.

Late Morning and Lunch

Drive onward to Whian Whian State Conservation Area, near The Channon, for a slower late-morning stop. Have a picnic and follow one of the short creekside stretches for about an hour—this is a good place to unpack breakfast or an early lunch, since food options are limited once you are deep in the forest. Then continue into The Channon village for lunch at a local café or pub; budget around A$20–35 per person and check the day’s opening hours before relying on a particular kitchen, as rural venues may close between lunch and dinner services.

Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, make your way to Rummery Park campground to check in and set up your tent. Allow about two hours for camp chores, collecting water, cooking and settling in; bring groceries and drinking water from the coast or The Channon, as supplies around the park are very limited. In the late afternoon, take a gentle 45-minute nature walk along the Nightcap National Park forest roads near camp rather than attempting another demanding trail. Return before dark for dinner, secure all food from wildlife and keep the evening quiet—the forest is at its best here after sunset, with cool mountain air and plenty of nocturnal sounds.

Morning

Start at Minyon Falls Lookout around 8:00 AM, when the light is good across the escarpment and the small parking area is usually calmer than later in the day. The lookout itself is a short, easy stop—allow about 45 minutes for the main viewpoint and the nearby viewing platforms. In September, the falls may be flowing strongly after winter rain, but conditions vary, so don’t rely on the water for your lunch or camp supply. National park entry is generally free, though facilities and track access can change after storms; check the NSW National Parks alerts before leaving Rummery Park campground.

From the lookout, continue to the Minyon Falls walking track and allow 3–4 hours for the rainforest hike toward the waterfall base. This is the more demanding part of the day, with steep, uneven sections, exposed roots and potentially slippery rocks, so wear proper hiking shoes and carry at least 2 litres of water per person. Start down early enough to turn around comfortably before afternoon light fades, and avoid entering the creek or attempting closed sections after heavy rain.

Lunch and Afternoon

Have your packed lunch at Minyon Falls picnic area beneath the rainforest canopy, allowing roughly 45 minutes before the return journey. Facilities are basic—typically picnic tables and toilets rather than a café—so bring food, water, rubbish bags and something warm to sit on. Keep the meal simple and secure all food from birds and other wildlife; mobile coverage can be patchy, so download maps before setting out.

Later, drive to The Channon village for an easy hour-long break. The village is compact and best enjoyed slowly: grab coffee or an early meal at a local venue, budgeting about A$8–35 per person, then browse the small collection of galleries and shops around The Channon Road. Trading hours are limited and can vary outside weekends, so treat this as a flexible stop rather than counting on a full dinner service. From there, return to Rummery Park campground for a quiet evening under the trees; allow roughly 30–40 minutes by car, collect any firewood or supplies before arriving, and keep dinner straightforward after the hike.

Morning

Leave Nightcap National Park around 7:00 AM for Border Ranges National Park, allowing 2.5–3 hours via Kyogle and Lions Road. Check NSW National Parks and Kyogle Council alerts before setting off: this route is scenic but narrow, and conditions can change after rain. If Lions Road is closed, use the longer route via Lismore and Kyogle. Bring breakfast, plenty of water and fuel—services become very limited once you leave Kyogle. Arrive at Border Loop Lookout, where a short, easy walk leads to a dramatic view across rainforest-covered escarpments toward the Queensland border; allow about 45 minutes, and expect misty conditions in the morning.

From the lookout, follow the signed Border Loop Walk, a 2–3-hour circuit through tall subtropical rainforest. The track includes stairs, roots and damp sections, so shoes with good grip are worthwhile; take it steadily rather than treating it as a fast hike. There is no reliable mobile coverage, so download maps beforehand and carry a paper route or offline navigation. Keep food sealed in your pack and do not feed wildlife.

Afternoon and Evening

Have a packed lunch at the Forest picnic area near Border Loop, allowing around 45 minutes to eat and refill water. Facilities are basic, so bring all food, drinking water and rubbish with you; treat creek water before drinking. After lunch, drive the short distance to the Border Ranges campground, set up camp and use the remaining daylight for an unhurried two-hour walk around the campground and nearby forest edges. Keep an eye out for lyrebirds and wallabies, but avoid wandering after dark—the forest becomes very quiet, and uneven ground is difficult to see. Check in or pay camping fees as required through NSW National Parks, and keep a headlamp, warm layer and rain shell accessible overnight.

Morning

After arriving in the Wollumbin area, spend about two hours exploring the permitted foothill rainforest around Wollumbin National Park. The summit track remains closed, so don’t plan on climbing Wollumbin Mount Warning itself; instead, use the accessible lowland forest tracks and roadside viewpoints around the mountain. Expect damp, uneven paths, leeches after rain and limited mobile reception. Check the NSW National Parks alerts before setting out, and carry water, snacks and offline maps—there are few services between Kyogle, Uki and Murwillumbah.

Lunch in Uki

Drive roughly 15–20 minutes to Uki for lunch, allowing about an hour to browse the village and eat. Uki Café is a convenient choice for coffee, sandwiches and substantial café meals, while Uki Organic Food is useful for fresh, picnic-friendly provisions; allow approximately A$20–35 per person. Trading hours can be seasonal, particularly midweek, so check on the morning itself and keep a backup picnic in the car. The village is compact and easy to explore on foot, with parking generally available along Kyogle Road and the nearby side streets.

Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, drive to your booked campground near the Mount Warning area—either around Uki or toward South Golden Beach—and allow about two hours to pitch the tent, organize food and rest. Campground facilities vary, so confirm whether you have drinking water, showers, fire restrictions and rubbish facilities; a fuel stop and final grocery run in Murwillumbah is sensible before settling in. Toward sunset, take a gentle 45-minute riverside walk beside the Tweed River at Tumbulgum, where the water, cane fields and surrounding hills catch warm late-afternoon light. Return before dark, as wildlife is active on the narrow rural roads and there is little street lighting.

Early Morning and Drive North

Leave the Wollumbin area around 5:00–5:30 AM for the long drive to Point Lookout in New England National Park. Allow roughly 6–7 hours via Lismore, Armidale and Ebor, with a proper fuel, coffee and grocery stop in Armidale before heading into the high country. The final approach is quiet and increasingly forested; download maps beforehand, as mobile reception can be unreliable around the park. Pack lunch and water in the car, since services near Point Lookout are very limited.

Afternoon at Point Lookout

Arrive at Point Lookout early afternoon and go straight to the lookout for the essential view across the escarpment and gorge country. Allow about 45 minutes, including time on the viewing platforms and a short breather after the drive. From there, follow the signed Gondwana Rainforests walking tracks for a moderate 2–3-hour hike through cool temperate forest. Expect damp boardwalks, tree roots and a noticeably colder climate than the coast; sturdy shoes, a warm layer and rain protection are worthwhile even in September. Keep the pace relaxed—you’ll enjoy this much more than trying to force in another trail after the long transfer.

Evening: Ebor Falls and Camp

Drive back toward Ebor for Ebor Falls, allowing about 45 minutes at the two-tiered waterfall viewpoints. Late afternoon light is often pleasant, and the stop is an easy way to stretch your legs before settling in. Pick up dinner supplies or a simple takeaway meal at an Ebor village shop or nearby roadhouse—budget around A$15–30 per person—and buy anything needed before returning to the park, as there are no useful last-minute shops at the campground. Finish at Point Lookout campground, where setting up under the forest canopy and preparing dinner should take roughly two hours; bring cash or confirm your booking and campground requirements in advance, and expect cool temperatures after sunset.

Early Morning and Arrival

Leave Point Lookout around 6:00 AM for the long drive north to Yuraygir National Park, allowing roughly 5.5–6.5 hours with fuel and coffee stops. Break the journey in Armidale if needed, then make Grafton your final proper resupply stop: buy water, ice, breakfast items and dinner supplies before continuing toward Wooli and Minnie Water, where shops are limited. Expect the final park roads to be slower than the highway, and download maps before leaving Grafton—mobile reception can be patchy. Aim to reach the coast around early afternoon, allowing time to park at the signed trailhead and check weather, tides and national-park alerts.

Afternoon Coastal Walk and Minnie Water

After arriving, walk a 2–4-hour section of the Yuraygir Coastal Walk between the Minnie Water and Wooli area, choosing the section that best suits your energy after the drive. The trail moves through coastal heath, headlands and long beaches; carry at least 2 litres of water per person, sun protection and a windproof layer, as shade is limited and there are few facilities between access points. Finish near Minnie Water for an unhurried swim or beach picnic—allow about an hour, but check conditions carefully and avoid swimming alone, as this is an exposed coastline without regular patrols.

Evening at Camp and Wooli

Allow about 1.5 hours to set up at Minnie Water campground before driving to Wooli for takeaway fish and chips or any last supplies. Small local businesses can have seasonal or variable hours, so arrive before the evening rush and keep a backup picnic plan using the groceries bought in Grafton; budget around A$15–30 per person. Return to Minnie Water beach for the final 45 minutes of daylight, when the coastal heath catches the warm evening light. The sun sets over land rather than directly over the ocean, but the soft light across the beach and headland is excellent. Keep food sealed at camp, follow the campground’s fire rules, and check the exact sunset time and any park fire restrictions on arrival.

Morning

After breakfast, spend the first hour on Wooli Beach, walking north or south from the village while the sand is firm and the light is best for birdwatching. Keep well clear of nesting shorebirds and check the surf before swimming; this is more of a quiet coastal stroll than a beach day. From the beach, allow a few minutes to reach your booked operator for the Solitary Islands Marine Park excursion. A guided snorkel or kayak trip usually takes 2–3 hours and commonly costs about A$80–150 per person, depending on equipment and duration. Book ahead where possible, and confirm the trip is running that morning—wind and swell can cancel water activities even when the beach looks calm.

Lunch and Afternoon

Return into Wooli township for lunch, choosing a local café or seafood venue rather than relying on a packed picnic; expect roughly A$20–40 per person and allow an hour. Trading hours can be seasonal, so check the same morning and carry snacks as a backup. Afterwards, follow the quieter edge of the Wooli River for a gentle 1.5-hour riverside walk, or hire a paddle craft if conditions are calm and you are comfortable on tidal water. Stay close to the bank, allow for changing currents, and bring drinking water, sun protection and insect repellent.

Evening

Head back to your Wooli campground in the late afternoon to shower, dry gear and prepare dinner—camp kitchens and supplies can be limited, so use food bought before arriving in the village. Once the heat eases, take a 45-minute walk through the Wooli coastal dunes for sunset. Keep to marked access paths, avoid walking on fragile dune vegetation, and bring a torch for the return; after dark, settle in early, as the coast is noticeably quieter and cooler than the daytime.

Morning

After breakfast in Wooli, leave around 8:00 AM for Bundjalung National Park, driving via Grafton, Maclean and Iluka. Allow 2.5–3 hours including a fuel stop—Maclean is the easiest place for coffee, groceries and a final top-up before the quieter roads toward the coast. On arrival in Iluka, start with the Iluka Rainforest Walking Track, a relaxed 1.5-hour walk through rare littoral rainforest toward the shoreline. The track is mostly easy, but wear closed shoes after rain and bring water; there are limited facilities once you leave town.

Continue into Iluka Nature Reserve for about an hour, keeping an eye out for honeyeaters, lorikeets and wallabies among the coastal vegetation. The reserve is best enjoyed slowly rather than as a strenuous hike, and the midday heat can build quickly even in September, so carry sun protection and avoid disturbing nesting birds. Parking around the Iluka walking-track entrances is generally free, but spaces are limited on weekends.

Lunch and Afternoon

Head back into Iluka township for lunch—Sedgers Reef Hotel is the dependable pub option for a generous meal, while The Fresh Food Co. is useful for takeaway, salads and supplies if you are camping. Allow A$20–35 per person and roughly an hour; check same-day opening hours, as smaller coastal venues can close between lunch and dinner or operate on reduced midweek schedules. Before leaving town, buy ice, drinking water and anything needed for breakfast, since services near Woody Head are minimal.

Drive about 15–20 minutes to Woody Head campground in Bundjalung National Park and set up camp over the next two hours. Have your NSW National Parks booking confirmation ready, follow the allocated-site instructions and secure food carefully—goannas and other wildlife are accustomed to campsites. The campground has basic amenities but no reliable shop, so keep cooking gear and water accessible rather than buried in the car.

Evening

Finish at Woody Head Beach, just a short walk from camp. Follow the rocky edge and sandy shoreline for about an hour, timing the walk for late afternoon when the light softens across the headlands. Swimming is not recommended unless conditions are clearly calm and lifeguards are present; this is a better spot for a barefoot stroll, quiet photography and watching the sunset. Return to camp before dark, cook dinner and keep a torch handy for the walk to the amenities.

Morning

Finish your camping stay at Woody Head with the Bundjalung National Park coastal track, allowing about 1½ hours for the beach and heath walk. Go early, ideally around 7:30–8:00 AM, while the air is cool and the low light brings out the colour in the coastal scrub. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and stay on the marked route—there is little shade and mobile coverage can be patchy. Pack up afterward and aim to leave the Woody Head area around 11:00 AM.

Drive south to Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome, allowing roughly 35–45 minutes depending on road conditions. The museum and airfield area are best treated as a relaxed stop rather than a quick photo break: allow 1½ hours to see the historic aircraft and learn about the site’s wartime role. Check the museum’s current opening hours before setting out, as regional attractions can operate limited hours outside peak periods; admission is generally modest, often around A$10–20 per adult.

Lunch and Return to Lennox Head

Continue into Evans Head township for lunch, where a café meal or takeaway usually costs about A$20–35 per person. Allow an hour, then take the coastal road via Ballina toward Lennox Head. The drive is approximately 1–1¼ hours, with fuel and supplies easiest to arrange in Evans Head or Ballina before the final stretch. If you have time, pause briefly at a roadside lookout rather than adding another major stop—the point of this last leg is an easy return after several long hiking days.

Arrive in Lennox Head in the mid-afternoon, settle back in, and keep the evening simple with dinner in Lennox Head village. Choose a local restaurant or casual dining spot and budget about A$25–45 per person; booking is sensible on a weekend, especially if you want an early table. It is a good final night to walk the village streets afterward, restock for the journey onward, and keep the pace unhurried after completing the national-park route.