Dawson River walking track
Brimbin Nature Reserve
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Dawson River walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
1.5km loop
Time
45min - 1hr 15min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Gentle hills
Steps
No steps
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles: The track is 4m wide and mostly hard-packed gravel with some rocky sections.
Other barriers
Gates: There's a locked vehicle swing gate at the northern end of the walking track.
Other barriers: There are 5 bridges at various points along the track:
- The bridges are 1m wide and don't have handrails.
- The bridges are all located after the first 50m of the start of the track.
Accessible options
The first 50m of the track on the eastern side of the loop leads towards the river and has a small incline and gentle hills. At the river, there's a flat section of track that overlooks the water.
The surface of the track past this point is uneven and rough. People with reduced mobility may need assistance along of the rest of the track due to the surface and slope.
Getting there and parking
On entering Brimbin Nature Reserve, begin Dawson River walking track from Brimbin picnic area.
Parking
There are 3 gravel carparks at Brimbin picnic area where this walk begins.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Brimbin Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Winter
Keep a close eye out for the flowering fairy light (or helmet) orchid in the forest leaf litter. It's a sparkling white flower with pinkish edges that grows on a short stem.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
17.2°C and 28.6°C
Highest recorded
45.2°C
Winter temperature
Average
6.5°C and 19.1°C
Lowest recorded
-5°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
280.2mm
Facilities
There's a wheelchair accessible non-flush toilet with 2 cubicles at Brimbin picnic area where the walk begins.
Picnic tables
There's a picnic table near the start of the track set on a paved slab.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
- The track is 4m wide and hard-packed gravel along its length. There are some rocky sections.
- The first 50m of the track on the eastern side of the loop that leads to the river has gentle hills. There's a flat section at the river where you can look out over the water.
- After the first 50m, the track becomes more sloped, rough and uneven. There 5 bridges without handrails at various points along this section of track.
- There's a locked vehicle swing gate at the northern end of the track.
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
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.
Operated by
- Taree office
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6552 4097
- npws.manninggreatlakes@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 78 Hargreaves Drive, Taree NSW 2430
Park info
- in Brimbin Nature Reserve in the North Coast region
Brimbin Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to flood events, poor weather or fire danger.