Cambridge Plateau picnic area

Richmond Range National Park

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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
Accessibility
Medium
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.

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/picnic-areas/cambridge-plateau-picnic-area/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Cambridge Plateau picnic area.

Maps and downloads

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

Red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus), Richmond Range National Park. Photo: T Worden

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

Within the rainforest canopy, Richmond Range National Park. Photo: OEH

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

Culmaran loop, Richmond Range National Park. Photo: J Atkins

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.

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.

  • 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.

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