Culmaran loop trail
Richmond Range National Park
Overview
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.
- Where
- Richmond Range National Park in North Coast
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Distance
- 0.4km loop
- Time suggested
- 15 - 30min
- Grade
- Grade 2
- What to
bring - Drinking water, hat, sunscreen
- Please note
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
- Check the weather before you set out as the road to Culmaran loop trail can become boggy or slippery when it rains
- There is limited mobile reception in this park
This short easy walk along the edge of the rainforest environment is especially suited to families and older people.
Here, you’ll brush past the smooth bright trunks of enormous Sydney blue gums. Soft green bracken ferns fringe the walking track, while creamy white flowers of clematis and flowering wonga vines make for a lovely accompaniment. The soaring forest, with its many hollow limbs, provides the perfect daytime resting spot for a range of animals and birds, so be sure to bring your binoculars.
Culmaran loop trail provides a fantastic introduction to the vegetation in the drier parts of Richmond Range, and a very pretty walk in the forest.
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/culmaran-loop-trail/local-alerts
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 Culmaran loop trail.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
0.4km loop
Time
15 - 30min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Gentle hills: The walk has gentle hills and short slopes. The steepest part of the track is the final 100m, which is a continual uphill slope back to the start of the walk.
Quality of path
Formed track: The walk is mostly hard-packed ground along its length. It can be slippery over the summer months when there are wet leaves on the track.
Steps
Occasional steps: There's a single timber step in the southern part of the loop walk. The rest of the walk is step-free.
Other barriers
Pinch points: The track can narrow in places where tree roots line the path or where plants grow along the trail edge.
Other barriers: There are several tree roots that cross the track in the southern part of the loop.
Getting there and parking
Culmaran loop trail is in the southern precinct of Richmond Range National Park.
To get there:
- From Casino, drive 40km west along the Bruxner Highway.
- Turn north into Cambridge Plateau scenic drive near Mallanganee
- Drive along Cambridge Plateau scenic drive for 9km until you reach Cambridge Plateau picnic area.
The northern route to Cambridge Plateau picnic area, where this track begins, can be closed during extreme weather. The best way to reach the start of the track is from the south via the Bruxner Highway.
Parking
Parking is available in grassy flat areas next to the road at Cambridge Plateau picnic area where this walk begins. It's suitable for long vehicles or those towing a trailer.
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
There are accessible toilets and picnic tables at Cambridge Plateau picnic area where this walk begins.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Culmaran loop trail is mainly hard-packed ground with gentle hills. There are some parts of the track where people with reduced mobility may need assistance:
- There's a single timber step in the southern part of the loop
- There are several tree roots that cross the track in the southern part of the loop.
- The track can narrow in places where tree roots line the path or where plants grow along the trail edge.
- The walk can be slippery over the summer months when there are wet leaves on the track.
There's an accessible toilet at Cambridge Plateau picnic area where this walk begins. The toilet has a timber ramp with handrails leading up to the entrance.
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.
Learn more
Culmaran loop trail 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.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
-
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.