Bar Mountain lookout
Border Ranges National Park
Overview
Bar Mountain lookout in World Heritage-listed Border Ranges National Park offers scenic views out over Warrazambil Wilderness Area.
- Type
- Lookouts
- Where
- Border Ranges National Park in North Coast
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- Opening times
Bar Mountain lookout is always open, but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- Please note
- This park is in a remote location, so please be well-prepared and tell a family member or friend about your travel plans.
- Consider having reasonably full fuel tanks before arriving as there are no service stations near the park. The closest fuel is at Kyogle, Nimbin or Mount Burrell.
Part of Bar Mountain circuit, this scenic lookout sits atop an escarpment over Collins Creek, offering spectacular views of Black Hand Mountain and beyond to Mount Lindesay and Mount Barney.
The lookout is located about halfway along the track, a walk of approximately one hour from Bar Mountain picnic area. As a result, it’s particularly popular with keen bushwalkers and birdwatchers.
Keep your eyes open for carpet pythons sunning themselves on the track, as well as lyrebirds, land mullets, and the quickly darting red-necked pademelon.
The rainforest gives way to tall wet forest at the escarpment edge near the lookout, which is dominated by flooded gum and blackbutt. Below in Collins Creek, subtropical rainforest flourishes, with the bright red blooms of flame trees visible amongst the canopy in summer.
Map
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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/lookouts/bar-mountain-lookout/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Border Ranges National Park in the North Coast region
Border Ranges National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. The park uses a self-registration fee collection system at entry. Please bring the correct change and display your receipt.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Bar Mountain lookout.
Getting there and parking
Bar Mountain lookout is in the eastern precinct of Border Ranges National Park. To get there:
From Murwillumbah:
- Travel south-west on Kyogle Road to Lillian Rock, then turn right onto Williams Road.
- Travel along Williams Road 2.7km to Creegans Road. Travel 5.8km along Creegans Road to the park boundary.
- From the park boundary, continue 7.3km along Tweed Range Scenic Drive to Bar Mountain picnic area, which is clearly signposted on your left.
From Lismore:
- Travel north to Nimbin, then continue north on Blue Knob Road to Kyogle-Murwillumbah Road.
- Turn left (west) towards Kyogle, continue for 5km to Williams Road, then turn right onto Williams Road.
- Travel along Williams Road 2.7km to Creegans Road. Travel 5.8km along Creegans Road to the park boundary.
- From the park boundary, continue 7.3km along Tweed Range Scenic Drive to Bar Mountain picnic area, which is clearly signposted on your left.
From Kyogle:
- Travel north along Summerland Way 14km to Wiangaree
- At Wiangaree, turn right onto Lynchs Creek Road, then travel east along Lynchs Creek Road 12km to Forest Road, following the signs to Border Ranges National Park.
- Turn right onto Forest Road and continue 4.5km to the park boundary
- From here, continue on Tweed Range Scenic Drive for 25km to Bar Mountain picnic area, which is clearly signposted on your right.
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- 4WD required in wet weather
Parking
Parking is available at Bar Mountain picnic area. Access to the start of the walking track is directly opposite.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Border Ranges National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
A picnic at Border Loop lookout and picnic area is a must during autumn. It's also a popular spot to see the historic Border Loop railway line.
Spring
The perfect time to get away from it all on a family camping trip. Sheepstation Creek campground is a great base for exploring Border Ranges National Park.
Summer
Watching the sunrise from Pinnacle lookout offers the best views of the crater escarpment, Wollumbin-Mount Warning and the coast. You're bound to find it a breathtaking experience.
Winter
Take in the park's scenery from the comfort of your car or motor home as you drive along the Tweed Range Scenic drive. Be sure to take some breaks along the way though – you don't want to miss the views.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
18°C and 30°C
Highest recorded
42.9°C
Winter temperature
Average
8°C and 22°C
Lowest recorded
-0.3°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
321mm
Facilities
Toilets and picnic facilities are available at Bar Mountain picnic area, where this walk begins.
Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Maps and downloads
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.
Learn more
Bar Mountain lookout is in Border Ranges National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal heritage
The dramatic landscapes of the Border Ranges National Park echo the historical ties connecting the region's Aboriginal people to Country. The Githabul People trace their identity and spirituality to this Country and it is central to their Dreaming. The park protects many ancient sites and continues to be a place of great significance today.
Abundant wildlife
Being part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, makes this park a truly special place to visit. This region has the highest concentration of marsupial, bird, snake and frog species in Australia, so you're bound to come across a cute creature or two during your visit. While you're in the heart of this remarkable rainforest make sure you listen out for the call of the Alberts lyrebird, and while you're picnicking, keep your eye out for the rare, local fauna that thrive in this lush, protected wilderness.
- Border Loop walk Walk the short and easy Border Loop walk through World Heritage-listed rainforest. Enjoy spectacular views from the lookout and finish with a picnic at the end.
- Border Ranges 360 experiences Discover some of the rare and remarkable animals, plants and habitats that make Border Ranges National Park special, with our interactive 360-degree experiences.
Picture perfect
A landscape photographer's dream, you'll be spoilt for choice in trying to capture the sheer scale and beauty of this epic rainforest from the many lookouts dotted throughout the park. Be sure to carry your camera up to the Pinnacle lookout at sunrise for a breathtaking birds-eye view of the crater escarpment all the way down to the NSW coastline. Don't forget to change your camera setting to panoramic for the perfect mantelpiece shot.
World Heritage wonder
The rainforests of the Border Ranges National Park are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. World Heritage Areas are irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration - places of such value that the international community has agreed they must be conserved for all time. You can explore this World Heritage-listed rainforest on one of the many walking tracks, like the short Pinnacle walk that provides spectacular views of Wollumbin and the Tweed Valley 1km below.
- Bar Mountain circuit Take the short and easy Bar Mountain circuit walk to the lookout where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of World Heritage-listed rainforest.
- Border Loop walk Walk the short and easy Border Loop walk through World Heritage-listed rainforest. Enjoy spectacular views from the lookout and finish with a picnic at the end.
- Border Ranges 360 experiences Discover some of the rare and remarkable animals, plants and habitats that make Border Ranges National Park special, with our interactive 360-degree experiences.
- Brindle Creek picnic area Pack up a picnic and set off along the Tweed Range Scenic drive to explore Border Ranges National Park. Stop off at Brindle Creek picnic area for a picnic and walk.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Albert's lyrebird (Menura alberti)
The Albert’s lyrebird is much rarer than the superb lyrebird. Distinguished by its richer brown plumage and less elaborate tail feathers, it’s protected as a threatened species in NSW.
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Spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus)
The spotted-tailed quoll is the largest remaining carnivorous marsupial on the Australian mainland. It’s protected as a vulnerable species in NSW.
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Satin bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus)
With vibrant blue-violet eyes and curious antics, the satin bowerbird is a favourite for bird watching and easy to spot as it forages for food in open forest. Relatively common across eastern Australia, in NSW they’re found in coastal rainforests and adjacent woodlands and mountain ranges.
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Wompoo fruit-dove (Ptilinopus magnificus)
The wompoo fruit-dove is a marvellously multi-coloured pigeon that makes its home in rainforest along coastal ranges from mid-north NSW to southern Queensland. It’s protected as a vulnerable species in NSW.
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Rufous scrub-bird (Atrichornis rufescens)
The vulnerable rufous scrub-bird is a small, ground-foraging bird that lives only in isolated rainforest areas of south-eastern Australia.
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Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.
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Long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta)
A nocturnal marsupial and one of the smaller Australian native animals, the long-nosed bandicoot is found across eastern Australia. Populations in the Sydney region have dwindled since European settlement, leaving only endangered colonies in inner western Sydney and at North Head, near Manly. The long-nosed bandicoot has grey-brown fur and a pointed snout which it uses to forage for worms and insects.
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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.
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Fleay's barred frog (Mixophyes fleayi)
The Fleay’s barred frog is an endangered species restricted to rainforest stream habitats in north-east NSW and south-east Queensland.
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Eastern bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus)
The endangered eastern bristlebird is a shy, ground-dwelling songbird. Less than 2,500 birds are left in the wild, restricted to 3 isolated areas in eastern NSW and southern Queensland.
Plants
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Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)
An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.