Gibraltar Range National Park

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Overview

Gibraltar Range National Park treats you to magnificent walks, lookouts, and picnic spots in World Heritage-listed gondwana rainforest. Relax at a cottage or campground, spot wildlife, discover history, or tackle a multi-day hiking adventure. 

Read more about Gibraltar Range National Park

Home to remarkable plants and animals that have evolved since the age of dinosaurs, Gibraltar Range is a special place that forms part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. This series of parks and reserves stretches from Barrington Tops to southern Queensland.

Strike out on a mountain biking track past huge granite outcroppings that overlook ancient rainforest. Swim in creeks surrounded by remnants of early colonial history. Camp in fragrant woodlands and listen to giant barred frogs during their nightly chorus. Take a morning walk for the waratahs and Christmas bells, or load up your backpack and embark on a rugged multi-day hiking adventure. There are sweeping lookouts and swooping yellow-bellied gliders, a comfortable cottage for hire and plenty of picnic spots to settle down with the family on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Gibraltar Range National Park is a rarity; historic and appealing to a modern audience, a treasure trove for heritage buffs, naturalists, adventure junkies, and people just looking for a quiet place to appreciate the natural wonders of NSW.

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/visit-a-park/parks/gibraltar-range-national-park/local-alerts

Contact

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Gibraltar Range National Park.

Map


Map


Map


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Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    From Glen Innes:

    • If travelling along the New England Highway, the park is best accessed via the Gwydir Highway, turning east at the roundabout in the middle of town and follow the signs towards Grafton.

    From Grafton

    • If travelling via the Pacific Highway, turn west onto the Gwydir Highway in Grafton and follow the signs to Glen Innes. You will cross the Mann River at Jackadgery; follow it for a while before climbing up the escarpment to the tablelands.

    Parking

    By bike

    Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.

    By public transport

    Gibraltar Range National Park is accessible by bus from Glen Innes or Grafton. To plan your trip, visit the Transport NSW website.

    Best times to visit

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

    Spring

    The most popular time of the year to visit, spring sees the park erupt into a vibrant display of wildflowers, including the Gibraltar waratah.

    Summer

    Take in an early morning bushwalk before the day heats up, then cool down in one of the many waterways, like the Little Dandahra Creek.

    Winter

    It can be below freezing at night, but the daytime temperatures make this the best time of the year to take in some of the longer treks like the Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage walk.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    13°C and 24.1°C

    Highest recorded

    35°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    1°C and 13.2°C

    Lowest recorded

    -8.9°C

    Rainfall

    Wettest month

    January

    Driest month

    August

    The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

    258.4mm

    Facilities

    Maps and downloads

    Fees and passes

    Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per day. The park uses a self-registration fee collection system. Please bring the correct change and display your receipt.

    • All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)
    • Multi Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko) $65 (1 year) / $115 (2 years)
    • Country Parks Pass - For all parks in Country NSW (except Kosciuszko) $45 (1 year) / $75 (2 years)
    • Single Country Park Pass - For entry to a single park in country NSW (except Kosciuszko). $22 (1 year) / $40 (2 years)

    Annual passes and entry fees (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/passes-and-fees)

    Safety messages

    However you discover NSW national parks and reserves, we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Our park and reserve systems contrast greatly so you need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

    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.

    Nearby towns

    Glen Innes (57 km)

    Set in the most prolific sapphire region of Country NSW, Glen Innes hosts the annual Minerama Fossicking and Gem Show and the annual Australian Celtic Festival, and is home to the Australian Standing Stones.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Grafton (73 km)

    Grafton is a gracious, historic city in the Clarence Valley farming district. It's situated on the broad Clarence River and surrounded by river flats.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Tenterfield (111 km)

    Sir Henry Parkes delivered his famous "birth of our nation" speech in the Tenterfield School of Arts in 1889. His rousing speech is credited with being the decisive moment that set the country on its path toward Federation in 1901.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Learn more

    Gibraltar Range National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

    Years in the making

    Little Dandahra Creek, Gilbraltar Range National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

    Long stewarded through history by Aboriginal people in the area, the Gibraltar Range continues to hold significance for contemporary descendants. The Range is rich in cultural sites and sacred places, with Aboriginal groups having moved regularly between the tablelands and coastal plains, conducting ceremonies and gathering food along the way.

    • Dandahra Crags walking track Dandahra Crags walking track, in Gibraltar Range National Park, is a hiking route with scenic views and birdwatching opportunities.

    World Heritage Area

    A couple looking out over the mountain range, Gibraltar Range National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

    Part of the Gondwana Rainforests Reserves of Australia, Gibraltar Range is listed on the World Heritage register for rainforest plants that have existed since Australia was part of the Gondwana super-continent. Gibraltar Range National Park is home to several threatened species of animal: the endangered giant barred frog, which can grow to the size of a small adult's hand; and glossy black cockatoos, under threat from a loss of breeding habitat. Feeding locations are very important to the continuing survival of the cockatoo.

    • Dandahra Falls walking track Suitable for fit and experienced bushwalkers only, Dandahra Falls walking track in Gibraltar Range National Park offers impressive waterfall views in stunning World Heritage surrounds.
    • Duffer Falls walking track Within easy reach of Glen Innes or Grafton and ideal for a day trip, Duffer Falls walking track offers waterfall views in the beautiful forest setting of Gibraltar Range National Park.
    • Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage walk Keep an eye out for birds and wildflowers on the 45km Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage walk through eucalypt forests, rainforests, wetlands and granite tors in the rugged Northern Tablelands.
    • Junction Spur walking track For experienced bushwalkers only, Junction Spur walking track in Gibraltar Range National Park will suit adventure seekers who want to get off the beaten track and explore the tablelands.
    • The Needles walking track The Needles walking track offers jaw-dropping views of granite rock formations in Gibraltar Range National Park, near Glen Innes. Part of the Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage walk, it’s a great shorter walk option.
    • Tree Fern Forest walking track Tree Fern Forest walking track is an iconic 9.2km loop walk through World Heritage-listed rainforest and dramatic heathlands in Gibraltar Range National Park, between Glen Innes and Grafton.
    Show more

    Lands of plenty

    Mulligans Hut, Gibraltar Range National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

    The European heritage of the park may be shorter, but look around and you'll find its traces clearly etched in the natural environment. Living around the range are direct descendants of graziers, lumberers and miners who made their livings here. Bullock teams and horses once struggled through the bush and granite tors, attempting to tame a landscape that today inspires for its wild ruggedness. Evidence of their work can be glimpsed at Mulligans campground and picnic area, where an aborted hydro-electric scheme from the 1900s is memoralised by a remaining hut and several weirs. Hikers on the wide-reaching Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage walk might also notice relics of pre-WWII tin and gold-mining operations in the Grassy Creek area.

    • Dandahra Crags walking track Dandahra Crags walking track, in Gibraltar Range National Park, is a hiking route with scenic views and birdwatching opportunities.
    • Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage walk Keep an eye out for birds and wildflowers on the 45km Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage walk through eucalypt forests, rainforests, wetlands and granite tors in the rugged Northern Tablelands.

    Education resources (1)

    What we're doing

    Gibraltar Range National Park 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.

    Exploring World Heritage

    Gibraltar Range National Park is on the World Heritage register for rainforest plants. NPWS conserves this park’s special World Heritage values by restoring significant plant communities and rehabilitating key areas, and minimising factors that threaten this. Pest management and weed control are ongoing in this park. NPWS trains its staff on World Heritage values and works to ensure nearby development does not affect the park.