Mungo Rainforest walk

Myall Lakes National Park

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Overview

Enjoy a short and easy rainforest walk with the birds in Myall Lakes National Park, not far from Buladelah. Afterwards, you can enjoy a picnic or barbecue at Mungo Brush.

Accessibility
Hard
Distance
1.5km loop
Time suggested
15 - 45min
Grade
Grade 3
Entry fees
Park entry fees apply
What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen
Please note

The walk starts at the northern end of Mungo Brush campground and there is a side track that leads to Dees Corner campground.

This easy loop walk takes you on a short trip through rare coastal rainforest, almost like the enchanted forest. The lush environment features ancient trees, plum pine, mock olive, coogera and brush bloodwood.

Children and adults can have great fun looking out for the colourful birds that live in the rainforest, including golden whistlers, figbirds, rufous fantails, and satin and regent bowerbirds. You’re also likely to see brush turkeys scratching in the undergrowth; look for their distinctive red head.

The walk starts from Mungo Brush campground, from here follow Tamboi walking track to the historic Tamboi fishing village or work a longer walk follow the Mungo walking track to Hawks Nest.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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/mungo-rainforest-walk/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Mungo Rainforest walk.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

1.5km loop

Time

15 - 45min

Quality of markings

Sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Short steep hills: The accessible section of the track between Mungo Brush and Dees Corner campground is flat. There are short, steep hills along the rest of the track.

Quality of path

Formed track, some obstacles: The track is 2m wide and a solid natural sandy soil surface. There are occasional tree roots along track.

Steps

Occasional steps: There's a series of gradual steps on the western side of the loop walk after the first 300m.

Other barriers

Other barriers: Parts of this track go through a swamp forest. There may be wet swampy areas along the track after heavy rain.

Accessible options

The track is signposted in a clockwise direction from Mungo Brush campground.

Take the track to the right at the first intersection to avoid a series of gradual stairs on the western side of the loop walk. Continue in an anti-clockwise direction to Dees Corner campground. The first 700m of the track going in this direction is accessible and step-free.

Getting there and parking

Mungo Rainforest walk starts at Mungo Brush campground in the Bombah Broadwater precinct of Myall Lakes National Park. To get there:

  • From Hawks Nest, follow Mungo Brush Road for approximately 25km and follow the signs to the campground.

From Bulahdelah:

  • From the Pacific Highway, take Bombah Point Road (unsealed) to the ferry crossing
  • Cross the water with Bombah Point ferry and continue along Mungo Brush Road for approximately 5km
  • The campground is on the right hand side shortly after Dees Corner campground.

If you're travelling on the Bombah Point ferry, see the the prices here.

Road quality

There are unsealed sections along Bombah Point Road (Lakes Road) from Bulahdelah.

Parking

There's a gravel carpark at Mungo Brush campground where this walk begins.

Best times to visit

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

Autumn

A good time to visit when the weather is a little cooler and the park is less busy.

Spring

Magnificent wildflower displays as they bloom across the heathlands.

Summer

Look for dolphins swimming among the waves.

Winter

Head to Sugarloaf Point to watch for whales on their annual migration.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

19°C and 27°C

Highest recorded

41.5°C

Winter temperature

Average

10°C and 19°C

Lowest recorded

1.1°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

May

Driest month

November

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

257.8mm

Facilities

There are picnic tables, barbecues and toilet facilities at Mungo Brush campground, where this track starts. The toilets at the campground are accessible.

Maps and downloads

Fees and passes

  • Bombah Point ferry fees -

    The vehicle ferry at Bombah Point provides access across the lake (8am to 6pm daily, fees apply: cash only). Under strong winds the ferry may be closed. Contact the park office to check. Ferry fees:

    • $2.50 per pedestrian
    • $5.50 per motorbike
    • $6.50 per car
    • $6.50 caravan, trailer or boat trailer
    • $10 per 4 tonne or larger vehicles

Safety messages

Beach safety

Beaches in this park are not patrolled, and can sometimes have strong rips and currents. These beach safety tips will help you and your family stay safe in the water.

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).

Accessibility

Disability access level - hard

  • The first 700m of the track walking from Mungo Brush campground in an anti-clockwise direction is step-free and flat. 
  • There are gradual steps on the western side of the loop, around 300m from Dees Corner campground.
  • Parts of this track go through a swamp forest. There may be wet swampy areas along the track after heavy rain.

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

Mungo Rainforest walk is in Myall Lakes National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Ancient connections

Dark Point Aboriginal Place, Myall Lakes National Park. Photo: OEH

Myall Lakes National Park is part of the Country of the Worimi Aboriginal people, who used the area's natural resources, like freshwater lakes, the ocean and native flora and fauna to live a traditional fisher-hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Much evidence of their long connection with this Country can be seen today throughout the middens in the park. The landscape of Myall Lakes includes important spiritual sites that are an important part of the identity of local Aboriginal people. Make sure you visit Dark Point Aboriginal Place while you're at visiting the park. This rocky headland has been of significance to Worimi people for at least 4000 years. The clans or nuras (family groups) within the Worimi people would gather together here for ceremonies and feasts.

  • Dark Point Aboriginal Place Dark Point Aboriginal Place, in southern Myall Lakes National Park, is a culturally significant site for the Worimi people with scenic coastal views across to Broughton Island.
  • Mungo walking track Mungo walking track offers a variety of Aboriginal and historic sites, diverse vegetation, and mountain biking in Myall Lakes National Park, near Hawks Nest.

Go fish

Violet Hill campground, Myall Lakes National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Fishing is a popular activity in Myall Lakes, with catches likely to include bream, whiting, Australian salmon, flathead and mullet. There are lots of great places in the park to throw in a line, like the beaches, lakes or rivers. Try fishing from your boat or for a relaxing day on the water you could try a spot of kayak fishing. At Myall Lakes you can also go camping, boating, swimming and canoeing. And when you’ve tried all of those, you can explore the park on foot, by 4WD or bike, stopping for a spot of bird watching or to enjoy a picnic or barbecue lunch along the way. Whatever your interests, there is bound to be something that takes your fancy.

  • Mining Road to Old Gibber Road cycling trail Mining Road to Old Gibber Road cycling trail is an easy bike ride within Myall Lakes National Park. You can complete the ride in one day or take your tent to camp overnight.
  • Mungo Rainforest walk Enjoy a short and easy rainforest walk with the birds in Myall Lakes National Park, not far from Buladelah. Afterwards, you can enjoy a picnic or barbecue at Mungo Brush.

Internationally recognised wetlands

Pipers Creek picnic area, Myall Lakes National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Since 1999, this internationally recognised wetlands site, has been listed under the Ramsar Convention due to its diverse mosaic of near-natural wetlands, within a relatively unmodified coastal lake system. There are 18 different wetland types with extensive interconnected lake and river systems within the forested wetlands and swamps that fringe the waterways, rocky and sandy shores, and offshore islands off the coastline. This wetland site houses a complex variety of habitats with rich biodiversity, including threatened species and migratory birds protected under international agreements. The Myall Lakes wetlands also have a high cultural and social value as they occur within the traditional lands of the Worimi Aboriginal people, where the varied wetlands, environments and abundant resources provided an ideal living environment. Evidence of this traditional occupation exists across the landscape, including the Dark Point Aboriginal Place.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • White-bellied sea eagle. Photo: John Turbill

    White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

    White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

  • Long-nosed bandicoot, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Narelle King

    Long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta)

    A nocturnal marsupial and one of the smaller Australian native animals, the long-nosed bandicoot is found across eastern Australia. Populations in the Sydney region have dwindled since European settlement, leaving only endangered colonies in inner western Sydney and at North Head, near Manly. The long-nosed bandicoot has grey-brown fur and a pointed snout which it uses to forage for worms and insects.

  • Brown-striped frog. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

    Brown-striped frog (Lymnastes peronii)

    One of the most common frogs found in Australia, the ground-dwelling brown-striped frog lives in ponds, dams and swamps along the east coast. Also known as the striped marsh frog, this amphibian grows to 6.5cm across and has a distinctive ‘tok’ call that can be heard all year round.

  • Profile view of a grey-headed flying-fox flying past eucalupt trees. Photo: Shane Ruming © Shane Ruming

    Grey-headed flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

    The grey-headed flying fox is Australia's largest native bat, with a wingspan up to 1m. This threatened species travels up and down south-eastern Australia and plays a vital role in pollinating plants and spreading seeds in our native forests.

  • A tiny green and golden bell frog sits on a green strawberry plant leaf. Photo: Stuart Cohen © Stuart Cohen and DCCEEW

    Green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea)

    The green and golden bell frog is an endangered Australian frog. Once common on the NSW coast and tablelands, populations have plummeted around 90 percent.

Plants

  • Cabbage tree palm in Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve. Photo: John Spencer/OEH

    Cabbage palm (Livistona australis)

    With glossy green leaves spanning 3-4m in length and a trunk reaching a height of up to 30m, the cabbage tree palm, or fan palm, is one of the tallest Australian native plants. Thriving in rainforest margins along the east coast of NSW, in summer this giant palm produces striking spikes of cream flowers which resemble cabbages.

  • Wonga Wonga vine. Photo: Barry Collier

    Wonga wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana)

    The wonga wonga vine is a widespread vigorous climber usually found along eastern Australia. A variation of the plant occurs in the central desert, where it resembles a sprawling shrub. One of the more common Australian native plants, the wonga wonga vine produces bell-shaped white or yellow flowers in the spring, followed by a large oblong-shaped seed pod.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)