Guy Fawkes 50th anniversary walk and talk

Guy Fawkes River National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Put on your walking shoes for this special 7km anniversary event to celebrate 50 years of Guy Fawkes River National Park. Learn about the rich biodiversity and history of this spectacular area.

When

Sunday 9 October 2022, 10am to 12pm.

Where
Lucifers Thumb lookout, Guy Fawkes River National Park
Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Grade
Easy. Suitable for adults and children 12 years and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The walk to the waterfall is a fairly level, easy walk for young children. Children must be supervised as there are steep cliffs.
Meeting point
Under the main sign at Chaelundi campground
Bookings
Bookings required. Email or phone the Glen Innes office on 02 6739 0700.

We'll start our exploration at Chaelundi campground, before walking out to the stunning Lucifers Thumb lookout. As we follow the scenic Escarpment walk to Chaelundi Falls, you'll take in amazing views of the falls tumbling down into the valley.

As we continue a little further along the track, we'll arrive to Lucifers Thumb, a finger of rock that spreads out into the gorge. After enjoying breathtaking 180-degree views out over the park and Guy Fawkes River, we'll turn return to the campground.

Please remember to bring drinking water, a hat, suitable clothing and sunscreen.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

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/things-to-do/events/guy-fawkes-50th-anniversary-walk-and-talk/local-alerts

Operated by

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Guy Fawkes 50th anniversary walk and talk.

Getting there and parking

Chaelundi campground is in Guy Fawkes River National Park. To get there:

From Dorrigo:

  • Take the Tyringham Road through to the Grafton/Armidale Road
  • Turn right onto the Grafton/Armidale Road, travel 4km and turn left at Dundurrabin onto Sheepstation Creek Road (gravel road starts).
  • 6km along Sheepstation Creek Road, turn left onto Chaelundi Road
  • Travel 17km along Chaelundi Road, then turn left onto Misty Creek Road.
  • The campground is 11km down Misty Creek Road

From Grafton:

  • Take Grafton/Armidale Road, travel 81km and turn right at Dundurrabin onto Sheepstation Creek Road (gravel road starts).
  • 6km along Sheepstation Creek Road, turn left onto Chaelundi Road.
  • Travel 17km along Chaelundi Road, then turn left onto Misty Creek Road.
  • The campground is 11km down Misty Creek Road

From Ebor:

  • Take Grafton/Armidale Road east for 15km
  • Turn left at Hernani onto Marengo Road and proceed for 11km (gravel road starts).
  • Turn right onto Hardens Road and proceed for 12km
  • Turn left onto Chaelundi Road and proceed for 7km
  • Turn left onto Misty Creek Road
  • The campground is 11km down Misty Creek Road

Parking

Parking is available at Chaelundi campground.

Maps and downloads

Accessibility

Disability access level - no wheelchair access

Learn more

Guy Fawkes 50th anniversary walk and talk is in Guy Fawkes River National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Gold rush

    Adams Hut, Guy Fawkes River National Park: Photo: S Leathers

    Major Edward Parke named Guy Fawkes River after camping nearby on Guy Fawkes Day, November 5, 1845. Gold was discovered in the late 1800s at Ballards Flat and Dalmorton, with the latter once supporting a town of 3,000 people during a short gold rush. A couple of building ruins remain today and old stockmen huts and yards are still present throughout the valleys.

    Routes of time

    Views towards Ebor Falls, Guy Fawkes River National Park. Photo: Tony Karacsonyi

    Archaeological sites suggest that Aboriginal people have occupied these valleys for over 10,000 years. The Guy Fawkes and Boyd rivers once served as important traffic and trade routes linking the tablelands to the coast. Ebor Falls was traditionally named 'Martiam', which means 'Great Falls' in Gumbaynggir language.

    Unique geology

    Views across the escarpment, Guy Fawkes River National Park. Photo: G James

    The north-south line of the Guy Fawkes River cuts through the Demon fault line, a 240-million-year-old crack in the landscape. In the south of the park the Ebor volcano spewed lava across the landscape. This created the Ebor Falls, with their unusual organ pipe-like rock formations.

    • Ebor Falls A great stop-off between the coast and Armidale along Waterfall Way, Ebor Falls offers spectacular waterfall views, scenic lookouts and a picnic area.
    • Escarpment walk Escarpment walk in Guy Fawkes River National Park is a forest walk that takes hikers past Chaelundi Falls and Lucifers Thumb, all the way to Spring Gully picnic area.
    • Guy Fawkes 50th anniversary campfire yarns Sit around the campfire alongside an NPWS Ranger to celebrate 50 years of the beautiful Guy Fawkes River National Park.
    • Guy Fawkes 50th anniversary walk and talk Put on your walking shoes for this special 7km anniversary event to celebrate 50 years of Guy Fawkes River National Park. Learn about the rich biodiversity and history of this spectacular area.
    • Misty Creek lookout Enjoy scenic views from Misty Creek lookout over Guy Fawkes River Gorge, near Coffs Harbour, and Chaelundi campground.

    Wild about species

    Ebor Falls, Guy Fawkes River National Park. Photo: Jeremy Little

    The park is an incredible biodiversity hotspot. There are over 40 different plant communities and about 1000 plant species in the park, along with 28 threatened plant species, 24 threatened animal species, and significant areas of old growth forest. The endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby can be seen in the rocky areas of the park, while glossy black cockatoos are often spotted throughout the park. The park is also one of the few remaining areas in Australia where purebred dingoes can still be found. The park is a conservation site for one of the most significant areas of wilderness in northern NSW, extending over 84,000ha of the 107,000ha park. This preserves the biodiversity of the park, allowing its natural ecosystems to be kept free from excessive human impact.

    • Ebor Falls A great stop-off between the coast and Armidale along Waterfall Way, Ebor Falls offers spectacular waterfall views, scenic lookouts and a picnic area.
    • Escarpment walk Escarpment walk in Guy Fawkes River National Park is a forest walk that takes hikers past Chaelundi Falls and Lucifers Thumb, all the way to Spring Gully picnic area.
    • Guy Fawkes 50th anniversary campfire yarns Sit around the campfire alongside an NPWS Ranger to celebrate 50 years of the beautiful Guy Fawkes River National Park.
    • Guy Fawkes 50th anniversary walk and talk Put on your walking shoes for this special 7km anniversary event to celebrate 50 years of Guy Fawkes River National Park. Learn about the rich biodiversity and history of this spectacular area.
    • Misty Creek lookout Enjoy scenic views from Misty Creek lookout over Guy Fawkes River Gorge, near Coffs Harbour, and Chaelundi campground.

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