Cambridge Plateau picnic area
Richmond Range National Park
Overview
Cambridge Plateau picnic area, close to Casino and Kyogle, is an idyllic spot for picnicking that’s also great for birdwatching.
- Type
- Picnic areas
- Where
- Richmond Range National Park
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Price
- Free
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch.
Cambridge Plateau picnic area is in the southern precinct of Richmond Range National Park and offers comfortable, well-maintained facilities for those looking for a place to rest after exploring the park. On a ridge nestled among towering tallowwood and flooded gums, the picnic area enjoys majestic scenic views over forests that stretch toward the Richmond valley. Keep your camera ready - long-nosed potoroos like to wriggle through at the edge of the bush, or you may receive a visit from a yellow-bellied glider or brush-tail possum at night.
Culmaran Valley walking track also begins here, rising toward the head of the valley, where outlooks continue for miles across to the east of Wollumbin and Nightcap national parks.
The Culmaran loop trail is also accessible nearby for those who prefer an easy walk through tall, healthy, dry woodlands at the edge of nearby World Heritage rainforest.
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/picnic-areas/cambridge-plateau-picnic-area/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 Richmond Range National Park in the North Coast region
Richmond Range National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Cambridge Plateau picnic area.
Getting there and parking
Cambridge Plateau picnic area is in the southern precinct of Richmond Range National Park. To get there from Casino:
- Leave the Bruxner Highway at Cambridge Plateau scenic drive near Mallanganee
- Travel north along Cambridge Plateau scenic drive for 12km
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as the road to Cambridge Plateau picnic area can become slippery and boggy when it rains.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available at Cambridge Plateau picnic area.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Richmond Range National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Peacock Creek campground is a great place to camp in autumn. This clean, open, sunny campground is perfect for camping with wood fires, while watching an array of birdlife by your tent.
Spring
This is a lovely time to drive along Cambridge Plateau scenic drive. See new red tips on the rainforest trees, creamy clusters of flowers on wonga vines, and white flowering clematis vines in full bloom.
Summer
Enjoy the cool of the rainforests during these hot months. The Culmaran Creek walking track is a perfect place to cool off.
Winter
Watch mists rising in the valley below from Cambridge Plateau picnic. On a clear winter's day, you can see all the way east to Wollumbin and Nightcap national parks.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
25°C and 27°C
Highest recorded
27°C
Winter temperature
Average
15°C and 21°C
Lowest recorded
15°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February
Driest month
August
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
214.6mm
Facilities
Bring your own cooking water.
Amenities
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Assistance may be required to access this area.
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Firewood is not supplied and may not be collected from the park.
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.
Nearby towns
Casino (31 km)
Casino is a thriving rural centre in the heart of rich agricultural country. It's set in lush pastures on the banks of the Richmond River.
Kyogle (32 km)
Kyogle is an attractive timber-milling town surrounded by rainforest. It's set on the Richmond River at the base of Fairy Mountain.
Lismore (54 km)
Lismore is a major North Coast commercial, cultural and administrative centre. It's set in undulating country on the north arm of the Richmond River.
Learn more
Cambridge Plateau picnic area is in Richmond Range National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
All creatures, great and small
It's a great pleasure to see the golden-tipped bat, listed as a vulnerable and threatened species in NSW, thrive in this environment. Other rare mammal species include Parma wallabies, koalas, spotted-tailed quoll and long-nosed potoroos. Birds listed as vulnerable in this park include rose-crowned fruit-dove and wompoo fruit-dove. The fruit dove's deep, repeated ‘whoop whoop’ call is often heard high up in the trees of thick forest. Brush-turkeys are occasionally seen and if you’re lucky, you’ll even spot the yellow and black flash of a male regent bowerbird as it flitters overhead.
- Cambridge Plateau picnic area Cambridge Plateau picnic area, close to Casino and Kyogle, is an idyllic spot for picnicking that’s also great for birdwatching.
- Culmaran loop trail Culmaran loop trail is an easy walk on the rainforest edge, especially suited to families. Admire the exotic plants found in the drier parts of Richmond Range.
- Culmaran Valley track Culmaran Valley track, near Kyogle, takes you through diverse World Heritage-listed rainforest ecosystems and offers scenic views from its lookouts.
World class listing
Rainforests are the earth’s oldest living ecosystems, and the Cambridge Plateau and Bungdoozle area rainforests within the park are part of Australia’s World Heritage Area. They’re a highly significant habitat for a medley of vulnerable and threatened species, which are able to live and breed freely among the protective wet rainforest vegetation.
- Cambridge Plateau scenic drive From Casino, Cambridge Plateau scenic drive is a comfortable drive along the ridge through scenic rainforest, offering fantastic views.
Yesterday is today
This landscape lies within traditional country of the Githabul People. Forests within the park have provided Aboriginal people with food, medicine, shelter and materials for tools and weapons for thousands of years. A landmark agreement involving co-management of the park with the local Githabul People brings ongoing benefits to the community.
