Dunggir National Park

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Dunggir National Park is a small reserve with some big draws: scenic driving routes, quiet picnic spots, a stellar lookout, and bushwalking for serious hiking.

Read more about Dunggir National Park

Dunggir is the Gumbaynggirr word for ‘koala,’ which tells you a great deal about what sort of national park this is – one with deep Aboriginal roots and precious native habitat. Indeed, the connection of Dunggir National Park to its traditional owners runs back countless generations; there are many sites of spiritual significance scattered throughout the rugged ridges of the landscape, and Gumbaynggirr People still visit them today for bush foods and medicine.

There are also at least twelve threatened animal species (including koalas and yellow-bellied gliders), 400 native plants, and three types of rainforest, though Dunggir is otherwise a low-key sort of place. It’s great for hiking and for visitors looking for a quiet picnic spot. A place of spectacular extremes, the park offers a stunning forest drive past tallow woods and ironbarks, and a must-see scenic lookout with wide views over the Nambucca Valley all the way to the coast. Not to mention some of the best birdwatching opportunities in the region.

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/visit-a-park/parks/dunggir-national-park/local-alerts

Contact

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Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Dunggir National Park.

Map


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Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    From Bowraville:

    • Follow North Arm Road west from Bowraville for 2km
    • Turn left into Buckra Bendinni Road and follow this for 7km
    • Turn left into Hanging Rock Road and follow it for 11km to reach the park boundary

    By bike

    Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.

    By public transport

    Dunggir National Park is not accessible by public transport.

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you in Dunggir National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

    Spring

    Spring offers the most comfortable temperatures to visit the park, and some hillsides bloom in the unmistakable red of flame trees, particularly around Kosekai lookout.

    Winter

    The crisp air of winter provides the clearest views of the surrounding region, so photographers should come mid-year or in late Autumn.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    17.4°C and 28.8°C

    Highest recorded

    43°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    6.3°C and 20.3°C

    Lowest recorded

    -1.8°C

    Facilities

    Picnic tables

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    However you discover NSW national parks and reserves, we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Our park and reserve systems contrast greatly so you need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

    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).

    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.

    Nearby towns

    Macksville (35 km)

    Macksville is a relaxed fishing and oyster-farming town centre of a rich rural district. It's on low-lying land around the Nambucca River.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Nambucca Heads (43 km)

    If you are looking for a sunny beach holiday, the climate in Nambucca Heads is close to perfect, with highs of around 27°C in summer, and 18°C in winter. The beach itself is great for learning how to surf, as the waves are mostly small. And when the surf life savers are out, you can enjoy a dip in the ocean.

    www.visitnsw.com

    South West Rocks (83 km)

    South West Rocks is a sleepy coastal retreat at its barefoot best. It's an oceanfront holiday town on north-facing Trial Bay.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Learn more

    Dunggir National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

      Rich in Aboriginal culture

      Views from Kosekai lookout, Dunggir National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

      Dunggir National Park lies within the territory of the Gumbaynggir People - a territory extending from Grafton all the way south to Nambucca River. The park is named in respect to their Traditional Owners, and Gumbaynggir People continue to visit the area today for bush foods and medicines. Many features of the land and waterways, as well as local plants and animals, contribute to a rich heritage of dreaming stories and cultural learning that is passed down through generations. Bowra Sugarloaf, for example, the highest peak in the park, holds considerable spiritual significance. The NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service works with local Aboriginal communities to protect this heritage for the future.

      Endangered animals

      Rainforest, Dunggir National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

      The steep, often inaccessible terrain means many of the animals that call Dunggir National Park home are difficult to see. But there are a whole range of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and the park features at least twelves species that are threatened or endangered, including the koala, powerful owl, spaghnum frog, and parma wallaby. Keep your eyes open in case you get lucky, and bring a pair of binoculars for superb birdwatching. You're sure to hear lyrebirds and the wompoo fruit-dove as you travel through the varied forest communities and terrain elevations.

      • Kosekai lookout Kosekai lookout offers a scenic lookout over the expansive Nambucca Valley all the way to the coast, with picnic tables and good opportunities for birdwatching.

      Education resources (1)

      What we're doing

      Dunggir National Park has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. Visit the OEH website for detailed park and fire management documents.

        General enquiries

        Contact

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        Links

        In this park:

        Things to do (1)