Murray Scrub lookout

Toonumbar National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

For easily-accessible scenic views of World Heritage-listed landscape in the Northern Rivers, the Murray Scrub lookout is not to be missed.

Type
Lookouts
Accessibility
Easy
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
Please note
  • Check the weather before you set out as the road to Murray Scrub lookout can become boggy when it rains.
  • There is limited/no mobile reception in this park.

Pack a picnic, camera and binoculars for a visit to the Murray Scrub lookout; a magnificent place to take in amazing views over the Gondwana Rainforest World Heritage areas. You’ll get picture perfect panoramas of Murray Scrub, Glassy Mountain and Dome Mountain, the remains of the 23-million-year-old Focal Peak shield volcano.

A visit to the lookout is a feast for all the senses. Fragrant cool clean air rises with the call of the rainforest pigeons echoing up from the rainforest valley below. You’re also likely to enjoy spectacular flashes of red and green as Australian king parrots flitter in the trees around you.

In spring, the rainforest itself is a canvas full of colour, and in cooler months, rising mists turn the scenery into a serene dreamscape.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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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/lookouts/murray-scrub-lookout/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

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Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Murray Scrub lookout.

Maps and downloads

Learn more

Murray Scrub lookout is in Toonumbar National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Living Aboriginal history

Murray Scrub walking track, Toonumbar National Park. Photo: J Atkins

Immerse yourself in Toonumbar National Park’s rich Aboriginal history. The park is part of the historic Githabul Nation native title claim. The area is traditional country of the Githabul People and almost wherever you look from the Murray Scrub and Sherwood lookout, these places are of deep, ongoing cultural significance. The forests and landscapes of the park are as physically rich as they are culturally; food, medicine, tools, weapons and shelter were derived from the land for thousands of years.

Nature’s own twitter

Sherwood Lookout, Toonumbar National Park. Photo: Hamilton Lund

At any time, the peaceful rainforest can erupt in an incredible chorus of song – rare bird species such as sooty owls, white-eared monarchs and the Wompoo fruit-dove, all enjoy tweeting along to their favourite tune. The performance is not only great for birdwatchers to get a closer look at the wonderful birdlife, but also a soothing experience for all nature-lovers. Just don’t forget your binoculars.

  • Murray Scrub walking track Murray Scrub walking track is an easy and beautiful walk through shaded rainforest, accessible from Kyogle in Northern NSW.
  • Sherwood lookout Pack a picnic and spend some time at Sherwood lookout at Toonumbar National Park, Sherwood Ranges, with scenic views of an old volcano.

Rocks of ages

Mountains of Toonumbah National Park. Photo: Robert Ashdown

Twenty-three million years ago, Toonumbar National Park was alive with volcanic activity. Now, the dormant, eroded volcano is the bedrock of a landscape that’s one of the most spectacular parks in New South Wales. The peaks of Dome Mountain (915m), Glassy Mountain (920m) and Edinburgh Castle (893m) are eroded remains from the Focal Peak shield volcano, the same one active 23 million years ago. Incredible views, extraordinary habitats and beautiful rock formations are its legacy.

  • Murray Scrub lookout For easily-accessible scenic views of World Heritage-listed landscape in the Northern Rivers, the Murray Scrub lookout is not to be missed.
  • Murray Scrub walking track Murray Scrub walking track is an easy and beautiful walk through shaded rainforest, accessible from Kyogle in Northern NSW.

Wild-a-rama

Murray Scrub walking track, Toonumbar National Park. Photo: Robert Ashdown

Camping is a great way to take advantage of one of Toonumbar National Park’s most fantastic assets – its wildlife. The diverse plant life at this park makes it an ideal place for an equally diverse range of animals. You’ll find some super rare species here, such as spot-tailed quoll and red-legged pademelon. Other interesting species you might encounter are yellow-bellied gliders, koalas, small-eyed snakes and carpet pythons.

  • Murray Scrub walking track Murray Scrub walking track is an easy and beautiful walk through shaded rainforest, accessible from Kyogle in Northern NSW.

World Heritage-listed rainforest

Ironpot Creek, Toonumbar National Park. Photo: Robert Ashdown

The rainforests of Murray Scrub and Dome Mountain of Toonumbar National Park are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. With this incredible abundance of rainforests, your senses certainly won’t be short of things to take in. Keep your camera in hand and explore the vast rainforests along hiking trails. You’ll find white booyong, Bangalow palms, birds nest and staghorn ferns and rare rainforest vines in these forests. There’s also old growth forests of tallowwood and flooded gum.

  • Murray Scrub lookout For easily-accessible scenic views of World Heritage-listed landscape in the Northern Rivers, the Murray Scrub lookout is not to be missed.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • Profile view of an Albert's lyrebird looking for insects amongst leaf litter on the forest floor. Photo: Gavin Phillips © Gavin Phillips

    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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