Mountain Brush circuit

Tapin Tops National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

This easy walk through the rainforest is a treat for birdwatchers and botanists alike with its lively array of interesting plants, birds and wildlife

Distance
0.3km loop
Time suggested
15 - 30min
Grade
Grade 3
Opening times

Tapin Tops National Park is always open but is closed on Christmas Day.

What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen
Please note
  • The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch.

While you’re in Tapin Tops, be sure to make the time to head out along the easy, but rewarding, Mountain Brush circuit. This short, 15-minute stroll through the rainforest will more than reward your efforts with its diverse range of rainforest species, plant and birdlife galore.

Along the way, you may spot brush turkeys pecking on the path for food, as well as regent bowerbirds and green catbirds hovering in the treetops. Not to mention the diverse botanical habitats here, which encompass red cedars and coachwoods, brushbox, corkwood and yellow carabeen.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map legend

Map legend

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/walking-tracks/mountain-brush-circuit/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Mountain Brush circuit.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

0.3km loop

Time

15 - 30min

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Gentle hills

Steps

Many steps

Quality of path

Formed track, some obstacles

Getting there and parking

Mountain Brush circuit is accessed from Dingo Tops campground. To get there:

From Wingham:

  • Take Elands Road and Wherrol Flat Road to Wherrol Flat
  • At Wherrol Flat, turn left onto Dingo Tops Road. 
  • Follow Dingo Tops Road to Tapin Tops National Park

Parking

Parking is available.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Tapin Tops National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

The autumn colours in Dingo Tops campground are nothing short of spectacular in autumn, making it a perfect spot for a picnic or a stroll on a crisp, clear day.

Spring

Enjoy the fresh young growth and newborn animals on walks to the spectacular Rowleys Rock lookout with its panoramic views, or wandering through the rainforest along Potaroo Falls walk or Mountain Brush circuit.

Summer

Escape the heat and humidity of the coast and go swimming at the lovely Potoroo Falls, or enjoy the fresh mountain air at Dingo Tops campground.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

18°C and 30°C

Highest recorded

42.2°C

Winter temperature

Average

7°C and 23°C

Lowest recorded

-5.1°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

January

Driest month

July

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

234.6mm

Facilities

Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

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

Mountain Brush circuit is in Tapin Tops National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

A botanist’s dream

Potaroo Falls picnic area, Tapin Tops National Park. Photo: John Spencer

An impressive 20 different forest types have been mapped within the park, providing a fantastic variety of unique plants. The temperate, subtropical rainforest is dominated by corkwood, crabapple, sassafras and booyong with majestic yellow carabeen at higher altitudes. There’s also myrtle-dominated rainforest and viney scrub. This diverse flora habitat has several threatened plants species, such as the endangered climbing vine and a rare, vulnerable orchid. A variety of different eucalypts can be seen in Tapin Tops, including brushbox, tallowwood, blue gum, bloodwood, silvertop stringybark and grey gum.

  • Mountain Brush circuit This easy walk through the rainforest is a treat for birdwatchers and botanists alike with its lively array of interesting plants, birds and wildlife
  • Potoroo Falls walk Take a walk along Potoroo Falls walk which leads from the picnic area through rainforest to the beautiful Potoroo Falls, with its tranquil swimming hole.
  • Rowleys Rock lookout From Rowleys Rock lookout in Tapin Tops National Park, you can stand over 1000m above sea level and enjoy astonishing scenic views out over the park, Taree and beyond.

A long, rich, Aboriginal culture

Rowleys Rock lookout, Tapin Tops National Park. Photo: Kevin Carter

Tapin Tops National Park is part of the traditional lands of the Biripi People and this incredible landscape has helped them form their identity and spirituality. The name, ‘Tapin’, means ‘dingo’ in their language, as the park provides habitat to native wild dingos.

Part of our forestry past

Dingo Tops campground, Tapin Tops National Park

Prior to becoming a national park, this area was part of Bulga and Dingo state forests, which were logged over the last 80 years. In the campground, you can see fascinating relics of road building and forestry operations that date back to pioneering days.

So many amazing animals

Mountain Brush circuit, Tapin Tops National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Birdwatchers will want to keep their eyes out for the black and gold regent bowerbird, the green catbird, and the topknot pigeons resting in the treetops. Three threatened species of owls have been recorded here (sooty, powerful and masked owls), although if you spot these rare creatures you are lucky indeed, as they are hardly ever seen. During the day, listen out for the superb lyrebird’s call. Other incredible animals you might be lucky enough to encounter here include the parma wallaby, the spotted-tailed quoll, or brush turkeys scratching on the forest floor. Koalas are present feeding at night, moving between trees in search of the succulent leaves from the eucalypt. They then spend most of the day sleeping in the extensive canopy.

  • Mountain Brush circuit This easy walk through the rainforest is a treat for birdwatchers and botanists alike with its lively array of interesting plants, birds and wildlife

Education resources (1)