Myrtle Scrub scenic drive

Cottan-Bimbang National Park

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Overview

Myrtle Scrub scenic drive is a 14km alternative driving route to the highway straight through scenic views of Cottan-Bimbang National Park, tracing a trail past old-growth wet eucalypt forest and rainforest.

Distance
14km one-way
Time suggested
30min
Grade
Easy
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen
Please note
  • There is limited mobile reception in this park
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch

Because Cottan-Bimbang overlays Oxley Highway, it’s possible to get a sense of it without leaving the beaten path. But interested travellers and keen road-trippers will want to take advantage of an additional driving route that threads 14km through the deeper recesses of the park along an unsealed road.

Myrtle Scrub scenic drive, in the western section of Cottan-Bimbang, connects with the highway at either end and offers scenic views of old-growth wet eucalypt forest and rainforest. Take it at your own pace, watching out for lyrebirds or brush turkeys scurrying across the road. At night, you might even catch a glimpse of a bandicoot or potoroo.

Another good idea is to bring lunch and take advantage of the picnic spot next to Cells River, with its magnificent timber bridge – a relic of the former forestry management of the area. Cells State Conservation Area, in the centre of the park, is a great destination for people interested in traces of gold mining history. If you decide to go walking, be sure to plan ahead and bring a GPS.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Current alerts in this area

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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/driving-routes/myrtle-scrub-scenic-drive/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Myrtle Scrub scenic drive.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    Myrtle Scrub scenic drive is in the western precinct of Cottan-Bimbang National Park. To get there:

    • From Walcha, follow the Oxley Highway south east for approximately 65km.
    • The western entrance to the drive is on the right at the entrance to the park

    Alternatively, if beginning from Wauchope:

    • Follow the Oxley Highway north west for approximately 90km
    • The eastern entrance to the drive is on the left, keep an eye out for the signs.

    Road quality

    Check the weather before you set out as the road can become slippery when it rains.

    Parking

    Parking is available at the picnic area next to Cells River.

    Best times to visit

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

    Autumn

    Settle down for a picnic at the clearing by Cells River and the magnificent timber bridge, a relic of former forestry management.

    Spring

    Take Myrtle Scrub scenic drive through old-growth wet eucalypt forest and rainforest, keeping an eye out for lyrebirds and bandicoots.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    17°C and 28.5°C

    Highest recorded

    42.2°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    6.1°C and 19.2°C

    Lowest recorded

    -5.1°C

    Rainfall

    Wettest month

    January

    Driest month

    July

    The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

    236.6mm

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    This park is in a remote location, so please ensure you’re well-­prepared, bring appropriate clothing and equipment and advise a family member or friend of your travel plans.

    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.

    Permitted

    Fishing

    A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.

    Prohibited

    Gathering firewood

    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.

    If you're travelling through a national park or reserve on a public road you can have pets inside your vehicle. However, you must keep them inside your vehicle while driving through national parks or reserves. You must also comply with any conditions in the park’s plan of management, and you cannot stop to visit the park or use park facilities (unless for safety reasons, or to use publicly accessible toilets).

    Smoking

    NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

    Learn more

    Myrtle Scrub scenic drive is in Cottan-Bimbang National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    A potential World Heritage Area

    Waterfall, Cottan-Bimbang National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Rainforest makes up 40% of Cottan-Bimbang National Park, with subtropical rainforest in the centre around the catchment of Cells Creek, and warm temperate rainforest and dry rainforest of myrtle further out. Because of this diverse ecosystem, Cottan-Bimbang has been nominated for inclusion in the Gondwana Rainforest World Heritage Area.

    Aboriginal tracks

    Maxwells Flat campground, Cottan-Bimbang National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    The name 'Cottan-Bimbang' is an Aboriginal word meaning 'walking stick palm', referring to a plant which can be found scattered throughout the national park. Echoes of Aboriginal occupation can also be seen in the routes used by early explorers and settlers, which were probably first used by Aboriginal people to travel between the coast and tablelands.

    Colonial settlers, gold, and bushrangers

    Myrtle Scrub Scenic Drive, Cottan-Bimbang National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Cottan-Bimbang has a rich past filled with colonial settlers and convicts. The famed explorer John Oxley first travelled through the area in 1818, on his way to the coast. In fact, the first convict road linking Port Macquarie to Walcha went through here; keep an eye out for stonework remnants buried in the undergrowth. Loggers came not long after in their search for cedar, the Red gold. Regular gold was sought here too Cells State Conservation Area, deep in the park, contains relics of early mining. And just to top off a dramatic, event-filled history, the bushranger Jimmy Governer (Jimmy Backsmith) travelled through the area with his brother before being captured closer to Port Macquarie.

    • Myrtle Scrub scenic drive Myrtle Scrub scenic drive is a 14km alternative driving route to the highway straight through scenic views of Cottan-Bimbang National Park, tracing a trail past old-growth wet eucalypt forest and rainforest.

    The largest population of parma wallabies

    Parma Wallaby, Cottam-Bimbang National Park. Photo: Phil Spark

    Explore Cottan-Bimbang National Park and you may be fortunate enough to spot the shy parma wallaby in the area. The largest population of parma wallabies reside within Cottan-Bimbang National Park. Approximately half the park is made up of native old-growth forest, making it ideal for a refreshing bushwalk, or just as a means to escape into nature.

    • Myrtle Scrub scenic drive Myrtle Scrub scenic drive is a 14km alternative driving route to the highway straight through scenic views of Cottan-Bimbang National Park, tracing a trail past old-growth wet eucalypt forest and rainforest.

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • Koala. Photo: Lucy Morrell

      Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

      One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.

    • Australian brush turkey, Dorrigo National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

      Australian brush turkey (Alectura lathami)

      The Australian brush turkey, also known as bush or scrub turkey, can be found in rainforests along eastern NSW. With a striking red head, blue-black plumage and booming call, these distinctive Australian birds are easy to spot while bird watching in several NSW national parks.

    •  Superb lyrebird, Minnamurra Rainforest, Budderoo National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

      Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)

      With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.

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