Victoria Park boardwalk
Victoria Park Nature Reserve
Overview
The family will enjoy the short and accessible Victoria Park boardwalk, near Lismore, offering wildlife and birdwatching as well as Aboriginal history of the rainforest.
- Where
- Victoria Park Nature Reserve in North Coast
- Accessibility
- Easy
- Distance
- 0.4km loop
- Time suggested
- 15 - 30min
- Grade
- Grade 1
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch.
- To help keep the rainforest free of weeds and foreign matter, please keep to the boardwalk.
Transport yourself to the lush world of sub-tropical rainforests on the short Victoria Park boardwalk. Discover the giant Morton Bay figs and towering black beans, remnants of the original Big Scrub that covered the Northern Rivers region. The path is suitable for prams and wheelchairs and accessible facilities at Victoria Park picnic area, means everyone can enjoy this idyllic spot.
As soon as you enter the shady green cool of the lush rainforest, dappled light filters through the dense canopy. The kids will love birdwatching for the vibrant wompoo fruitdove and colourful pitta bird. If you hear a scurry in the leaf litter, it’s likely to be the shy red-legged pademelon.
On a series of informative displays, learn how the local Widjabul Aboriginal people, of the Bundjalung nation, used the plants of the rainforest. You’ll find out how the curved sheath of the bangalow palm was used to carry water, and the sap of the strangler fig to heal wounds.
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/victoria-park-boardwalk/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 Victoria Park Nature Reserve in the North Coast region
Victoria Park Nature Reserve 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 Victoria Park boardwalk.
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
Flat
Steps
No steps
Quality of path
Well-formed track: From the picnic area where the walk starts, there's a short concrete section before the boardwalk begins. The rest of the walk is a timber boardwalk.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
From Pacific Highway (north or south):
- Take the Bruxner Highway exit to Lismore/Alstonville
- Take the Alstonville exit
- Head south along Wardell Road
- Turn right into Dalwood Road over the causeway, then turn left into Victoria Park Road.
- Veer right at the ‘Y’ junction and follow the road to Victoria Park Nature Reserve
Parking
Parking is available in an asphalt carpark on Victoria Road.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Victoria Park Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Summer
Escape the summer heat with a cool stroll along the rainforest boardwalk.
Winter
Avoid the crowds and visit during the cooler months; you might even catch a glimpse of the migratory eastern yellow robin.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
18°C and 29°C
Highest recorded
43°C
Winter temperature
Average
7°C and 20°C
Lowest recorded
-3.5
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
August
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
246mm
Facilities
Accessible toilets and picnic facilities are located at Victoria Park picnic area, where this walk begins.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - easy
- Victoria Park boardwalk is flat and step-free
- At the start of the walk, there's a short concrete section of track and then the rest of the walk is a timber boardwalk.
- The track is suitable for wheelchairs, prams, and people with reduced mobility.
- There are accessible non-flush toilets Victoria Park picnic area, where this walk begins. The toilets are set along a concrete footpath, with a timber ramp with handrails that leads 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
Victoria Park boardwalk is in Victoria Park Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Ancient wisdom
Learn about the unique relationship the local Aboriginal people have with the Big Scrub. On a series of informative displays along the boardwalk, discover how the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung nation used rainforest plants for food and medicine. Even the leaves of the strangler fig had a use; as a polish for wooden tools.
Rainforest dwellers
The diverse sub-tropical rainforest found in the reserve is host to a range of wildlife, such as red-legged pademelons, bandicoots, green catbirds and crested hawks. While some of the forest residents are quite shy, the curious eastern yellow robin flitters from tree to tree and takes an active interest in visitors. Look for broken empty shells scattered near a flat rock and the noisy pitta won't be too far away.
- Victoria Park boardwalk The family will enjoy the short and accessible Victoria Park boardwalk, near Lismore, offering wildlife and birdwatching as well as Aboriginal history of the rainforest.
Tree museum
Victoria Park Nature Reserve is one of six reserves that protect the remnants of the original Big Scrub. They are the surviving stands of what was once the largest area of sub-tropical rainforest in Australia, with over 150 species of trees including white booyong, red bean, Morton Bay fig and the extremely rare jointed baloghia. In 1975, plans to double the size of the reserve began, and now you'll be able to see regenerated rainforest as well as some of the original giants that were saved from the axe.
- Victoria Park boardwalk The family will enjoy the short and accessible Victoria Park boardwalk, near Lismore, offering wildlife and birdwatching as well as Aboriginal history of the rainforest.
Young and old
Victoria Park Nature Reserve provides a quality nature experience for everyone, catering for all ages. The boardwalk, designed for prams and wheelchairs, meanders through lush tropical rainforest. With a communal galley, shaded picnic tables and accessible facilities, anyone can relax and enjoy a picnic or barbecue.
- Victoria Park boardwalk The family will enjoy the short and accessible Victoria Park boardwalk, near Lismore, offering wildlife and birdwatching as well as Aboriginal history of the rainforest.
- Victoria Park picnic area Take the family to the wheelchair-accessible Victoria Park picnic area for a relaxing barbecue and a walk in the rainforest, near Alstonville.