Yarriabini National Park
Overview
Explore Yarriabini National Park on a school excursion or day trip. Enjoy spectacular coastal views, a rainforest walk or a scenic drive, as well several great birdwatching and picnicking spots.
Read more about Yarriabini National Park
Lush rainforest, clear bubbling creeks, tranquil picnic spots and spectacular coastal views are just a snapshot of what you’ll find at Yarriabini National Park. A short scenic drive from Nambucca Heads and Kempsey, it provides an ideal day trip for the whole family.
Don’t miss the spectacular views from Yarriabini lookout, where you’ll get expansive views over Macleay Valley and Trial Bay. Take the popular car touring route along Way Way Creek Road to The Pines picnic area and enjoy a peaceful picnic surrounded by vibrant green rainforest. Admire the Aboriginal artwork and learn about the significance of this area to local Aboriginal people.
Pack your mountain bike and cycle through tall forests and across Bangalow palm-lined creeks on Way Way Creek Road. And for those who enjoy birdwatching, you’ll find a colourful array of birdlife. Look out for square-tailed kites, rainforest pigeons and glossy black-cockatoos.
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/yarriabini-national-park/local-alerts
Contact
- in the North Coast region
Yarriabini National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
-
Coffs Harbour office
02 6652 0900
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. - 4/32 Edgar St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
-
Email: npws.coffscoast@environment.nsw.gov.au
-
Coffs Harbour office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Yarriabini National Park.
Map
Map legend
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
From Macksville:
- Travel south on the Pacific Highway for approximately 7km
- Turn left into Albert Drive and follow the signs for ‘Yarrahapinni Mountain’ or ‘Yarriabini National Park’
- Turn left onto the continuation of Albert Drive and follow for 400m
- Turn right into Rosewood Road and follow all the way into the park
From Kempsey:
- Travel north on the Pacific Highway for approximately 45km
- Turn right into Albert Drive and follow the signs for ‘Yarrahapinni Mountain’ or ‘Yarriabini National Park’
- Turn left onto the continuation of Albert Drive and follow for 400m
- Turn right into Rosewood Road and follow all the way into the park
Parking
- The Pines picnic area See on map
- Yarriabini lookout See on map
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
By public transport
Yarriabini National Park is not directly accessible by public transport. For information about public transport options to nearby towns, visit the NSW country transport info website.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Yarriabini National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Take your mountain bike along Way Way Creek Road and feel the refreshing air in the forest.
Spring
Enjoy a scenic drive along Way Way Creek Road, with its bubbling creek crossings and vibrant green forest.
Summer
Enjoy a picnic under the shade and wander through the cool rainforest at The Pines picnic area.
Winter
Admire the colourful banksias in flower along Tower Road as you head up to Yarriabini lookout to see spectacular views of Macleay Valley.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
18°C and 27°C
Highest recorded
41.7°C
Winter temperature
Average
11°C and 19°C
Lowest recorded
4°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
702.6mm
Facilities
Amenities
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
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
Macksville (12 km)
Macksville is a relaxed fishing and oyster-farming town centre of a rich rural district. It's on low-lying land around the Nambucca River.
Kempsey (51 km)
Kempsey is a historic river town close to national parks and majestic beaches. Kempsey is a convenient place for an overnight stop for anyone driving between Sydney and the North Coast.
Port Macquarie (98 km)
Vibrant Port Macquarie is surrounded by beautiful waterways - the Hastings River, canals, creeks, bays and the Pacific Ocean. The city also has a five-star collection of golden-sand beaches stretching from Port Macquarie Beach to Town Beach and north along the 16-km swathe of North Beach.
Learn more
Yarriabini National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
Diverse plantlife
Yarriabini's unique geographical location supports a remarkable blend of different vegetation types. You'll find tall old growth forests on the steeper slopes around Scotts Mountain and around Mount Yarrahapinni. Wander through the lush rainforest near The Pines picnic area and see the ferns, lianas and orchids that are part of this unique ecosystem.
- The Pines picnic area The Pines picnic area in Yarriabini National Park is a relaxing spot for a family picnic. Wander along the rainforest walking track, admire Aboriginal art and relax in this tranquil forest setting.
- Way Way Creek Road drive Winding through the tall rainforest, across creeks, this picturesque car touring route provides an ideal family day trip or a spectacular day cycling through the park.
Birdwatcher's haven
Gazing out from Yarriabini lookout or strolling through the rainforest, you're bound to find an abundance of bird watching opportunities. Listen out for the bubbling "wom-poo" call of the wompoo fruit-dove and look for its multi-coloured plumage among the Bangalow palms at The Pines picnic area or along rainforest creeks. You'll also find several owl species and other types of rainforest pigeons thriving under the rainforest canopy. You might also spot glossy black-cockatoos feeding on casuarina seeds in eastern areas of the park.
- The Pines picnic area The Pines picnic area in Yarriabini National Park is a relaxing spot for a family picnic. Wander along the rainforest walking track, admire Aboriginal art and relax in this tranquil forest setting.
Aboriginal culture
Yarriabini, meaning 'koala rolling', is the Aboriginal name for the prominent coastal mountain that dominates the park, also known as Mount Yarrahapinni. The mountain and the surrounding area is part of an important cultural Dreaming story and very significant to the Dunghutti, Ngambaa and Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people. Admire the amazing mosaic artwork at The Pines picnic area and see the important connection Aboriginal people have to the mountains, rivers and forests of this park.
- The Pines picnic area The Pines picnic area in Yarriabini National Park is a relaxing spot for a family picnic. Wander along the rainforest walking track, admire Aboriginal art and relax in this tranquil forest setting.
Education resources (1)
What we're doing
Yarriabini 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.