Coramba Nature Reserve
Overview
Close to Coramba and Coffs Harbour, at Coramba Nature Reserve you can go walking through protected rainforest along Orara River and go birdwatching.
Read more about Coramba Nature Reserve
Coramba Nature Reserve was created in 1982 to preserve and protect one of the few remaining stands of subtropical lowland rainforest that lies along the Orara River. Today, visitors can walk through this remnant of native vegetation, amongst the towering old-growth trees, under a closed canopy forest that has been successfully brought back to life through a rainforest regeneration project.
Walking along the river, you’ll see a lot of interesting plant life, including white booyong, pepperberry, giant stinging trees and ficus species. In the wetter months, the colours of the funghi are exquisite, with their hues of vivid pink, yellow, white and orange.
There’s no shortage of interesting wildlife here either. You’re likely to hear giant barred frogs on hot summer nights or spot yellow-bellied gliders and long-nosed potoroos any day of the year. There’s also plenty to excite those interested in birdwatching, including wompoo and rose-crowned fruit doves, figbirds, noisy pittas, brown cuckoo doves and white-headed pigeons.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/coramba-nature-reserve/local-alerts
Contact
- in the North Coast region
Coramba Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather, particularly flood.
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Coffs Harbour office
02 6652 0900
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. - 4/32 Edgar St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
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Email: npws.coffscoast@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Coffs Harbour office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Coramba Nature Reserve.
Map
Map legend
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
From Coffs Harbour:
- From Coffs Harbour, travel 10km northwest via Coramba Road.
From Coramba:
- Travel 2.5km north along Orara Way and then turn right into Coramba Nature Reserve
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
By public transport
For information about public transport options, visit the NSW country transport info website.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Coramba Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
Take a walk along Orara River and bring your binoculars to spot native birds, such as wompoo fruit doves, rose-crowned fruit doves, figbirds, noisy pitas, brown cuckoo doves and white-headed pigeons.
Summer
Escape the heat with a tranquil stroll through the rainforest down to the river, enjoying cool canopy shade.
Winter
When the weather is wet, the mushrooms are in full bloom in the reserve and you'll be able to spot some amazingly bright and beautiful colours.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
17°C and 29°C
Highest recorded
43.3°C
Winter temperature
Average
5°C and 20°C
Lowest recorded
-3.2°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
August
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
388.2mm
Maps and downloads
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.
Nearby towns
Coffs Harbour (19 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.
Woolgoolga (36 km)
Woolgoolga is a busy rural service town with a large Sikh population. It features a coastal setting surrounded by banana farms and forested hills.
Bellingen (52 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.
Learn more
Coramba Nature Reserve is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
Protected rainforest
The reserve, though small, is an important ecological community, as it is one of only a very few remaining stands of lowland rainforest along Orara River and is listed as endangered under the Threatened Species Conservation (TSC) Act. A successful rainforest regeneration program has been carried out to protect the reserve's natural resources.
- Rainforest walk Rainforest walk in Coramba Nature Reserve, near Coffs Harbour, is a great place to take a delightful stroll and enjoy birdwatching through a rare protected rainforest.
Interesting wildlife
The reserve is the only patch of lowland subtropical rainforest in the Clarence Valley that features white booyong, along with other flood-tolerant species, such as pepperberry, giant stinging tree, and one of the best stands of turnip wood in the area.
- Rainforest walk Rainforest walk in Coramba Nature Reserve, near Coffs Harbour, is a great place to take a delightful stroll and enjoy birdwatching through a rare protected rainforest.
Aboriginal culture
The reserve's name is taken from the name of the nearby town of Coramba, which is in turn derived from the local Aboriginal Gumbaynggirr name for mountain. The land has once served as a fringe dwelling site and meeting place for the Gumbaynggirr people.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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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.
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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.
Education resources (1)
What we're doing
Coramba Nature Reserve has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. Visit the OEH website for detailed park and fire management documents.