Satinbird stroll
Dorrigo National Park
Overview
Satinbird stroll is an easy access trail through Dorrigo’s World Heritage rainforest, ideal for all the family, and offers birdwatching and a great place to picnic.
- Where
- Dorrigo National Park
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Distance
- 0.6km loop
- Time suggested
- 15 - 30min
- Grade
- Grade 2
- Price
- Free
- Please note
- It’s a good idea to put sunscreen on before you set out and remember to take a hat and drinking water
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching
- There is limited mobile reception in this park
Visitors looking for an easy introduction to Dorrigo’s wonderful rainforest systems can’t go past Satinbird stroll, near the popular The Glade picnic area. The rainforest’s abundance of plant species, vines, epiphytes and buttressed roots are easily visible from the 600m sealed trail, which can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers with a little assistance.
The stroll is named after the satin bowerbird renowned for its remarkable courtship ritual. Birdwatching is superb, so don’t forget to bring a pair of binoculars. You might be lucky enough to spot the stroll’s namesake or perhaps a migrating black-faced monarch between September and March.
To keep the legs moving, consider connecting the stroll to Walk with the Birds boardwalk, or if you’d prefer to relax, return to the picnic area for a long lunch in the warm afternoon sun.
Take a virtual tour of Satinbird stroll captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Nearby
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The Glade picnic area
The Glade picnic area is part of Dorrigo National Park near Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast. This pretty rainforest clearing offers a great spot for a picnic or barbecue and lots of rainforest walks.
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Walk with the Birds boardwalk
Wind through the trees on wheelchair-accessible Walk with the Birds boardwalk and spot some of the 150 bird species found in Dorrigo National Park.
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/satinbird-stroll/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 Dorrigo National Park in the North Coast region
Dorrigo National Park is open daily (except Christmas Day) 9am to 4.30pm 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 Satinbird stroll.
Track grading
Grade 2
Learn more about the grading system Features of this track-
Time
15 - 30min
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Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
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Gradient
Gentle hills
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Distance
0.6km loop
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Steps
No steps
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Quality of path
Formed track
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Experience required
No experience required
Getting there and parking
Satinbird stroll is near The Glade picnic area precinct of Dorrigo National Park. To get there:
- Follow signs to Dorrigo National Park/Dorrigo Rainforest Centre from Waterfall Way (1km south of Dorrigo).
- After arriving at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, follow signs 1km to The Glade picnic area.
Parking
Car and bus parking is available at The Glade picnic area, including several designated disabled spots.
Best times to visit
The weather at Dorrigo National Park can vary from warm to mild to cool, depending on the time of year you visit. The summer months usually have the highest rainfall.
Spring
The rainforest is alive with birdlife - walk the Lyrebird Link for a close up view.
Summer
Escape the summer heat along one of the waterfall tracks and feel the coolness envelope you.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
- This 600m bitumen path through subtropical rainforest is suitable for wheelchairs, prams and visitors with limited mobility.
- Some assistance is needed to negotiate several steeper sections.
Medium access presents some minor difficulties, such as a grassy surface. You may require a little assistance to get around in some areas.
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.
Visitor centre
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Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
142 Dome Road Dorrigo Mountain NSW 2453 - 9am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 6657 5913
Nearby towns
Bellingen (59 km)
Bellingen is a laid-back, tree-lined town with a New Age vibe. It's set in a luxuriant valley beside the Bellinger River.
Coffs Harbour (71 km)
Coffs Harbour is a coastal city on the North Coast, packed with things to do. It's surrounded by lush forests and national parks.
Dorrigo (33 km)
Dorrigo is a serene country town and the gateway to Dorrigo National Park. Its close to the edge of the escarpment above the Bellingen Valley.
Learn more
Satinbird stroll is in Dorrigo National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A wide range of animals
Dorrigo National Park plays home to many different animals, including 30 types of mammals, more than 128 kinds of birds and 44 species of amphibians and reptiles. The dense forest is the ideal hiding place for reptiles, so you'll need to be very quiet and patient in order to catch a glimpse. Look for the southern angle-headed dragon clinging to the trunks of trees along the Wonga walk and the red-necked pademelon on the lawn by the Rainforest Centre.
- 14-day coastal tours from Sydney to Cairns Unleash your spirit of adventure on a sweeping East Coast tour with Via Travel Australia. Let each new day bring more enchanting sites to discover and enjoy, from Gondwana Rainforests to cascading waterfalls and sublime surf beaches.
- Gondwana Rainforests and waterfalls guided tours Venture out for a sweeping Central Coast tour of stunning waterfalls, beautiful rivers and valleys, and the ancient rainforests of Dorrigo National Park with the friendly guides of Waves to Wilderness Experiences.
- Lyrebird Link track Lyrebird link is an easy walking track in Dorrigo National Park near Coffs Harbour. It is a great spot for birdwatching and there are picnic and barbecue areas nearby.
- Satinbird stroll Satinbird stroll is an easy access trail through Dorrigo’s World Heritage rainforest, ideal for all the family, and offers birdwatching and a great place to picnic.
- Sensing the rainforest at Dorrigo National Park Join us and explore the rainforest in this Stage 3 (Years 5-6) geography excursion in Dorrigo National Park. Students will examine the wonders of the Gondwana Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site.
Dramatic waterfalls
The area is renowned for its dramatic waterfalls; so much that part of the park was first reserved in 1901 to protect the Sherrard and Newell Falls along the Waterfall Way. Today, there are a number of great rainforest walks in the park, try the Crystal Shower Falls walk for a journey behind the falls, or the longer Casuarina Falls circuit that offers views of Dorrigo Mountain and Rosewood River Valley.
- Volunteer at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre Join a fun and passionate team of people when you become a volunteer at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre shop. Help show off Dorrigo National Park to visitors from around world. Explain the park’s activities and offer information about the nearby town of Dorrigo.
Rich Aboriginal heritage
Dorrigo National Park aims to manage Aboriginal sites, many of which are associated with natural features in the landscape. Involving local Aboriginal custodians in managing their traditional homelands, and continuing their connection to country, is a priority in Dorrigo National Park.
- WilderQuest WildThings Come on a WilderQuest WildThings excursion for Stage 1 (Years 1-2) students, focusing on science and technology. We’ll investigate the living world in Dorrigo National Park, home to World Heritage listed rainforests.
- WildTracker at Dorrigo National Park Join us and walk on the wild side of Dorrigo on WildTracker – an excursion for Stage 2 (Years 3-4) students. Together we’ll immerse ourselves in this stunning natural environment and use scientific skills of enquiry to discover its secrets.
World Heritage rainforests
The rainforests in Dorrigo National Park are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area; the most extensive strip of diverse rainforest anywhere on earth. The World Heritage Area is a direct window into the past and the future, providing a link to the ancient pre-human world and a stunning and irreplaceable record of life on our planet. You can explore the rainforest on one of the many walking tracks, like the Lyrebird Link that leaves from the Rainforest Centre.
- 14-day coastal tours from Sydney to Cairns Unleash your spirit of adventure on a sweeping East Coast tour with Via Travel Australia. Let each new day bring more enchanting sites to discover and enjoy, from Gondwana Rainforests to cascading waterfalls and sublime surf beaches.
- Lyrebird Link track Lyrebird link is an easy walking track in Dorrigo National Park near Coffs Harbour. It is a great spot for birdwatching and there are picnic and barbecue areas nearby.
- Sensing the Rainforest Sensing the rainforest is a Stage 1 (Years 1-2) school excursion in Dorrigo National Park, which focuses on HSIE. Students will explore the wonders of Dorrigo Rainforest - observing, listening, touching, smelling and searching to discover this special environment. It is a fun program for all ages, adults included.
- Wonga walk Take a walk amongst subtropical rainforest and 600-year-old trees along the Wonga walk in Dorrigo National Park, home to the Tristania and Crystal Falls.
Plants and animals you may see
Animals
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Satin bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus)
With vibrant blue-violet eyes and curious antics, the satin bowerbird is a favourite for bird watching and easy to spot as it forages for food in open forest. Relatively common across eastern Australia, in NSW they’re found in coastal rainforests and adjacent woodlands and mountain ranges.
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Australian brush turkey (Alectura lathami)
The Australian brush turkey, also known as bush or scrub turkey, can be found in rainforests along eastern NSW. With a striking red head, blue-black plumage and booming call, these distinctive Australian birds are easy to spot while bird watching in several NSW national parks.
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Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)
With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.
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Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.
Plants
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Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum)
Coachwood trees are Australian native plants that grow in warm temperate rainforests along coastal NSW. Also known as scented satinwood, the mottled grey bark of the coachwood has horizontal markings and a delicate fragrance.
Environments in this park
Education resources (1)
School excursions (8)
- Sensing the rainforest at Dorrigo, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography
- Venture to the falls, Stage 4 (Years 7-8), Geography
- Ecosystems at risk, Stage 6 (Years 11-12), Geography
- Sensing the rainforest at Dorrigo National Park, Stage 3 (Years 5-6), Geography
- Sensing the Rainforest, Stage 1 (Years 1-2), HSIE
- Venture to the falls at Dorrigo, Stage 3 (Years 5-6), Geography
- WilderQuest WildThings, Stage 1 (Years 1-2), Science and Technology
- WildTracker at Dorrigo National Park, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Science and Technology
