Border Ranges National Park is a national park in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.
Understand
[edit]History
[edit]Border Ranges National Park was established on 8 June 1979 with an area of 317 km2 (122 sq mi), adjoining Lamington National Park on the Queensland side of the border which was established six decades prior. It marked an end to extensive logging in the region that occurred during the early 20th century, as nearby areas were in need of timber.
In 1986, the park was declared a 
UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia property which spans multiple parks in New South Wales and South East Queensland. It is part of the Shield Volcano group along with Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park across the border, as well as Nightcap National Park and Mebbin National Park on the NSW side.
Landscape
[edit]Border Ranges National Park consists of various smaller ranges: the McPherson Range, Tweed Range, Lamington Plateau, and Levers Plateau. They were formed over millions of years through the erosion of the ancient Tweed Volcano with several volcanic plugs still remaining within Border Ranges National Park.
The park is notable for its extensive stands of Nothofagus moorei (Antarctic beech) and features a 64-km (40-mi) gravel road circuit that passes through subtropical, cool temperate, and warm temperate rainforests.
Flora and fauna
[edit]The area lies on the base of the extinct Tweed Volcano. Today, it offers magnificent views of Mount Warning and the Tweed Valley with plenty of unspoilt subtropical rainforests. A unique feature is the presence of the southern beech forests, which reaches its northern limit here, and the rare but striking beech orchid, which blooms with a strong fragrance in spring.
Observing mammals in the rainforest is difficult. Possums and gliding possums are the most likely to be encountered, and so are echidna tracks. Other noteworthy animals include the brown-backed lyrebird and the southern frog species Assa darlingtoni.
Climate
[edit]Visitor information
[edit]Get in and around
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Border Ranges National Park by train
You might not be able to visit the bulk of the national park by train, but the Brisbane XPT does pass through parts of the park allowing you to see some incredible scenery along the way. Unfortunately, though, there is only one passenger train a day where you can do this and only in the southbound direction (as it will be pitch dark in the northbound direction), leaving Roma St at 6AM (NSW time) and passing Border Ranges around 7–7:30AM. Although NSW TrainLink does not allow for seat selections through online bookings, look to your left (i.e. the east) to see the park's scenery. If you want, you can call NSW TrainLink for seat selection. |
Border Ranges National Park is only accessible via car. There are two entrances to the main section of the park: Creegans Road and Forest/Lynches Creek Road. Both of those roads through run, meaning you can enter the park one way and exit the other, completing one giant loop. Getting around the park requires driving on this single road – as well as Brindle Creek Road, which deviates from the main road – that connects almost all of the main points of interests in the park.
The Forest Road entry is the more northern entry and can be reached via the Summerland Way (B91) at Wiangaree, a few dozen kilometres north of Kyogle. From Wiangaree, the road is sealed until a few kilometres before the park. The road continues as Forest Road and then reaches the park entry.
The Creegans Road entry is considerably closer to Kyogle. From the town centre, head east on Kyogle Road. After about 23 km (14 mi), turn left onto William Road and then turn right onto Creekgans Road. You should then reach the park entrance soon after.
Fees and permits
[edit]There is a fee of $8 per vehicle.
See and do
[edit]Lookouts
[edit]- 1 Bar Mountain Lookout, Bar Mountain Track. Has stunning views of the Black Hand Mountain.
- 2 Blackbutt Lookout, Tweed Range Scenic Drive. A picnic area with great views over the surrounding escarpment range.
- 3 Border Loop Lookout, Border Loop Rd, Cougal. Here at this lookout you'll see one of the only railway spirals on a main line in New South Wales (with the other being in Bethungra) and perhaps one of the most remote lookouts purpose-built for rail spotting. However, only two passenger trains run on this spiral per day, and only one during daylight – which can be any time between 7:30AM and 8AM headed southbound.
- 4 Brushbox Falls Lookout, Booyong Walk.
- 5 Pinnacle walk and Lookout, Tweed Range Scenic Drive. An easy 600-meter (return) walk with an amazing 360° view including down below (and partially into neighboring Mebbin National Park). Good for sunrise viewing.
Walks
[edit]- Bar Mountain Circuit – a 4-km loop that winds its way through the Gondwana forests, stopping along Bar Mtn Lookout along the way.
- Brindle Creek Walking Track
- Border Loop Walk
- Booyong Track – a 9-km walk (one way) with great canopies.
- Falcorostrum Loop Walking Track
- Helmholtzia Loop Walking Track
- Palm Forest Walking Track
- Red Cedar Loop
- Rosewood Loop
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]You will need to bring food with you.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Lodging
[edit]Camping
[edit]There are two campgrounds within the park.
- 1 Forest Tops campground, Tweed Range Scenic Drive. 3 campsites. It is next to the start of the Booyong Track. $24.60/night.
- 2 Sheepstation Creek campground, Sheepstation Creek Rd/Forest Rd. Contains 25 campsites, all of which are marked. It's a good base for exploring the three nearby walks surrounding it (Palm Forest walking track, Rosewood loop and Booyong walking track) $24.60/night.