Carabeen walk
Werrikimbe National Park
Overview
Discover World Heritage Gondwana Rainforest on Carabeen walk, in Werrikimbe National Park. This short, family-friendly walk loops past majestic yellow carabeen trees, near Walcha.
- Where
- Werrikimbe National Park in North Coast, Country NSW
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Distance
- 1.8km loop
- Time suggested
- 1hr
- Grade
- Grade 3
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, raincoat, snacks, drinking water, sturdy shoes, suitable clothing
- Please note
- Carrabeen track overlaps with the start of Mesa trail, a challenging 8hr return hike that requires a high level of fitness.
Starting from Cobcroft picnic area, this loop walk is a beautiful self-guided tour of Werrikimbe National Park's ancient rainforest diversity, suitable for all ages.
Listen for lyrebirds' mimicking calls as you stroll through tall open groves of New England blackbutt and eucalypts. Then dip into cool gullies where blue gums tower over an understorey of tree ferns.
Scattered throughout are yellow carabeen trees, that give this track its name. Slow growing, yet often the forest's highest trees, their large, wide root buttresses straddle the forest floor and can extend 2-5m up the trunk.
Come in spring to see carabeen trees burst into flower with creamy white blossoms. It's also a great time to see wildflowers throughout the park, and spot the birds they attract.
After your walk enjoy lunch at the picnic area. If you're feeling adventurous, Carabeen walk is easily combined with the longer Mesa trail, an ambitious 8hr trek for fit hikers.
Keen to explore more? Pitch your tent at Mooraback campground, among snow gum woodland. You’ll wake refreshed and ready to discover more of the Mid North Coast hinterland, including neighbouring Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
Nearby
-
Cobcroft picnic area
Cobcroft picnic area is in Werrikimbe National Park, near Walcha, at the start of family-friendly Carabeen walk. Set in beautiful Gondwana rainforest, it’s the perfect spot for a snack before your walk.
Map
Map legend
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/walking-tracks/carabeen-walk/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 Werrikimbe National Park in the North Coast and Country NSW regions
Werrikimbe 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 Carabeen walk.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
1.8km loop
Time
1hr
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
Some bushwalking experience recommended
Gradient
Gentle hills
Steps
No steps
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles
Getting there and parking
Carabeen walk is in Werrikimbe National Park. To get there:
- Follow the Oxley Highway 55km east of Walcha or 150km west of Port Macquarie
- Turn onto Kangaroo Flat Road
- After around 19.5km, turn right onto Mooraback Road and follow for 7km to the Werrikimbe National Park entrance
- After entering the park, turn right onto Cobcroft trail and continue for 8km to Cobcroft picnic area.
Road quality
- Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at Cobroft picnic area.
Facilities
- Facilities are located at the start of the track, at Cobcroft picnic area.
- There are no bins so you'll need to take all rubbish away with you.
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Wood barbecues (firewood supplied)
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Prohibited
Camping
Cycling
Gathering firewood
Generators
Horses
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
Carabeen walk is in Werrikimbe National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Abundant landscapes
You'll find three different rainforest types; cool temperate, warm temperate and subtropical. The park also contains significant endangered ecological communities, like at Bishops Swamp and Racecourse Swamp. Head to Mooraback campground to see the snow gum woodland that is slowly regenerating from over 100 years of grazing.
Thousands of species
There are close to 1,000 plant species found in Werrikimbe, including nearly 30 that are listed as rare or threatened. The diverse landscapes of Werrikimbe are home to a wide range of wildlife including around 52 species of mammals, over 120 bird species and 48 species of reptiles and amphibians. You'll see bandicoots, eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies including the rare parma wallaby, sometimes seen around Brushy Mountain. You'll also find a range of forest birds such as eastern yellow robins, scarlet robins, grey and rufous fantails. If you're lucky, you might spot rare species such as the olive whistler, rufous scrub-bird and sooty owl.
- King Fern walking track King Fern walking track in Werrikimbe National Park near Wauchope is a great introduction to World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. A 2km loop, it also offers waterfalls and vibrant birdlife.
Traditional lands of the Dungutti People
When you're exploring the beautiful mountains, rivers and bushlands of Werrikimbe National Park, you're on the traditional lands of the Dungutti Aboriginal People. Aboriginal groups continue to have an active role in the management of the park. There are a number of important sites in the park that show that Dungutti people are the original inhabitants of this land, including several stone arrangements and surface deposits of stone artefacts.
World Heritage wonder
The rainforests in Werrikimbe National Park are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area; the most extensive strip of diverse rainforest anywhere on earth. This World Heritage Area is a direct window into the past and the future, providing a link to the ancient pre-human world and an irreplaceable record of life on our planet. Explore the rainforest on one of the park's many walking tracks, like King Fern walking track from Plateau Beech campground. Discover ancient Antarctic beech trees and listen for the lyrebird whose mimicking calls ring out through the rainforest.
- Carabeen walk Discover World Heritage Gondwana Rainforest on Carabeen walk, in Werrikimbe National Park. This short, family-friendly walk loops past majestic yellow carabeen trees, near Walcha.
- King Fern walking track King Fern walking track in Werrikimbe National Park near Wauchope is a great introduction to World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. A 2km loop, it also offers waterfalls and vibrant birdlife.
- Platypus Pool walking track Don’t miss Platypus Pool walking track when you’re staying at Mooraback campground in Werrikimbe National Park, near Walcha. You might spot a shy platypus as you walk alongside the Hastings River.