Sea Acres Rainforest after dark spotlight tour

Sea Acres National Park

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Overview

Many have walked the Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk by day, but here’s a chance to discover the rainforest’s secret life after dark. Book now for this family-friendly night-time guided tour near Port Macquarie.

When

Friday 11 September, 6.30pm to 8pm, meet at 6.15pm

Where
Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk, Sea Acres National Park
Accessibility
Medium
Time suggested
1hr 30min
Grade
Easy. Suitable for adults and children 6 years and over. You'll be walking in the dark with only torch light on an even boardwalk with a slight incline.
Price
Fees per person: Adult $25. Concession $21. Child $18. A 10% family or group discount applies for 4 or more people. Terms and conditions apply.
Meeting point
Sea Acres Rainforest Centre carpark
What to
bring
Torch, insect repellent, sturdy shoes, clothes for all weather conditions, raincoat, drinking water
Bookings
Bookings required. Phone 1300 072 757 for more information or book online.
Availability
Tour also available on request for private groups. Email us for more information and a quote.
Please note
  • There is no access to Sea Acres Rainforest Centre during this outdoor tour, so there will be no toilet or cafe facilities open. If needed, visit the public toilets at nearby Shelly Beach before or after the tour.
  • The Sea Acres Rainforest Centre carpark will be locked after the tour begins.
Book now

Join your NPWS guide for a gently-paced guided spotlighting adventure through the unique subtropical coastal rainforest in Sea Acres National Park. You’ll meander through the rainforest mid-storey in search of the rarely seen creatures who emerge for the night shift.

As you make your way along the elevated boardwalk, follow the beam of the guide’s spotlight and keep watch for some of the park’s nocturnal wildlife, including gliding microbats, elusive possums and owls hunting silently overhead. Down on the forest floor and in the understorey, join in the search for creatures going about their night-time routines.

Bring a torch, lace up your sturdy footwear and step into an after-dark rainforest experience that’s both intimate and unforgettable.

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/guided-tours/sea-acres-rainforest-after-dark-spotlight-tour/local-alerts

Bookings

Operated by

Image of: NSW National Parks logo
  • NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Sea Acres Rainforest after dark spotlight tour.

Getting there and parking

The Sea Acres rainforest boardwalk starts at Sea Acres Rainforest Centre carpark.

Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is located at the entry to Sea Acres National Park.

To get there:

  • From Port Macquarie, head south along Pacific Drive.
  • Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is on the left just after Shelly Beach Road.

Parking

Free carparking is available at Sea Acres Rainforest Centre in a bitumen carpark, including 2 accessible parking spots.

The carpark will be locked after the tour begins.

Maps and downloads

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

  • Some assistance may be required to access the boardwalk from the carpark.
  • Paths are sealed but there are some gradual slopes, a short section of uneven ground and grassy surfaces. You may require a little assistance to get around in some areas.
  • There are designated disabled parking spots in the carpark.

Visitor centre

Learn more

Sea Acres Rainforest after dark spotlight tour is in Sea Acres National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Ancient connections

    Rocky coastline with a distant lighthouse, Sea Acres National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

    Sea Acres National Park is the traditional country of the Birpai People. The park's landscape has provided a rich source of food, medicines and shelter for thousands of years. Evidence of Aboriginal inhabitants has been found in Sea Acres National Park, and it's likely that the Birpai used the area for fishing, hunting and gathering.

    • Bush tucker in Sea Acres National Park Discover bushtucker secrets with our Aboriginal guide on this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) Geography excursion in Sea Acres National Park. An easy stroll along a boardwalk will reveal this area’s naturally occurring ‘supermarket’, and ‘hardware store’.
    • Sea Acres Aboriginal coastal tour Take a walk to Shelly Beach in Sea Acres National Park on this Aboriginal ranger-guided activity. Discover bush tucker and other useful plants in the rainforest as you learn about Aboriginal culture.
    • Sea Acres Aboriginal culture tour Join this ranger-guided Aboriginal cultural tour along the rainforest boardwalk in Sea Acres National Park. You’ll go on a journey of discovery. Great for adults and children aged 5 years and over.

    Find out more about this special place

    Rainforest boardwalk, Sea Acres National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

    If you are looking for an educational experience within Sea Acres National Park then take some time out to have a look at The Spirit of the Land exhibition. This multimedia exhibition takes you on a virtual tour of Birpai Country and introduces you to key Birpai stories.

    • Port Macquarie coastal walk You'll pass historic sites, stunning coastal scenery, beaches, and rainforest along the Port Macquarie coastal walk. It can be enjoyed as a full day walk or broken up into several short walks.
    • Sea Acres Rainforest Centre Close to Port Macquarie, Sea Acres Rainforest Centre is the gateway to your rainforest experience. Friendly staff provide information and there is a café where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast and lunch.

    Midnight feast

    Brush tail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), Sea Acres National Park. Photo: Ken Stepnell/OEH

    In the evening, when all the visitors have left, the rainforest of Sea Acres comes alive as bats, possums and bush rats start their day. Rats forage for food in the forest undergrowth, possums hang from trees to munch on berries and leaves, and flying foxes swoop from one tree to another. The park is also the occasional home to koalas which feed on the eucalypts along the western boundary. The park is an important habitat for koalas in the Port Macquarie area as it is one of the largest naturally-vegetated areas remaining and contains some of their favourite food.

    • Rockpool ramble: Shelly Beach Join this 2-hour guided tour to learn about the coastal biodiversity of Sea Acres National Park. You’ll explore the rockpools of Shelly Beach, near Port Macquarie.
    • Sea Acres Aboriginal coastal tour Take a walk to Shelly Beach in Sea Acres National Park on this Aboriginal ranger-guided activity. Discover bush tucker and other useful plants in the rainforest as you learn about Aboriginal culture.
    • Sea Acres Aboriginal culture tour Join this ranger-guided Aboriginal cultural tour along the rainforest boardwalk in Sea Acres National Park. You’ll go on a journey of discovery. Great for adults and children aged 5 years and over.
    • Sea Acres Rainforest after dark spotlight tour Many have walked the Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk by day, but here’s a chance to discover the rainforest’s secret life after dark. Book now for this family-friendly night-time guided tour near Port Macquarie.
    • Sea Acres rainforest boardwalk tour If you’re near Port Macquarie, come along to this unique ranger-guided tour in Sea Acres National Park. You’ll enjoy a walk under the lush canopy of this rare and spectacular coastal subtropical rainforest.
    • Sensing the rainforest Join us and explore the rainforest in this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) Geography excursion at Sea Acres National Park. Students will experience the wonders of this coastal environment through sensory activities.
    Show more

    Worlds away

    Rocky coastine in Sea Acres National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

    When you venture out on the boardwalk, immersed in the still beauty of the rainforest, you’ll really believe you've travelled back in time. And you're right. The environment here has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Engage your senses and let the rainforest and its residents take you away to another place. The rainforest is a haven for myriad birds, so look out for the colourful wompoo fruit dove and rose crowned fruit dove and listen for the distinctive yowl of the green catbird. You're bound to see a brush turkey or two foraging on the forest floor.

    • Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk The Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk is an easy 1.3km walk through the rainforest canopy. You’ll see rainforest birds and animals. It's a great walk for all ages.

    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.

    • White-bellied sea eagle. Photo: John Turbill

      White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

      White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

    • 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.

    Environments in this park

    School excursions (2)