National park · Australia
SE Forest National ParkSouth East Forest National Park
Go only if you have a car and a dry forecast: drive the Snowy Mountains Highway to Pipers lookout (free, 24/7), then pick one walk — Goodenia Rainforest or Nunnock Swamp — and skip the rest; gravel spurs turn impassable after rain.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,152 km²445 sq mi
approximate
Established
1997
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 1,152 km²445 sq mi
- About 1,152 km²; boundaries have been revised several times (check).
- Established
- 1997
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
South East Forest National Park is a 1,151 km² block of wet forest and high country between the Snowy Mountains and the Sapphire Coast, with no single entrance and no entry fee. The sights are scattered along gravel roads, so you drive between them rather than walk from one gate. Come for the escarpment lookouts and the Gondwana-era rainforest walks; stay on the coast at Merimbula or Tathra if you want beaches with your forest.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1997.
Size and age
1,152 km²445 sq mi · national park since 1997
About 1,152 km²; boundaries have been revised several times (check).
Why go
- Pipers lookout sits right on the Snowy Mountains Highway — a big escarpment view with no walk and no ticket.
- Goodenia Rainforest walking track is a short loop through warm temperate rainforest left over from the Gondwana era.
- Nunnock Swamp and Grasslands is open, quiet high country where you rarely meet another car.
- Camping is cheap and basic: five small campgrounds, one of them a single site.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanWarm and green; watch for total fire bans
- FebWarm; afternoon storms possible
- MarMild, settled, good walking
- AprClear, cool nights; autumn colour
- MayCold nights; frost in the swamps
- JunCold, wet; snow possible on high ground
- JulColdest month; some roads close after snow
- AugWet gravel; lyrebirds active
- SepWarming; wildflowers start
- OctBest all-round: mild, green, fewer closures
- NovWarm and dry; long days
- DecWarm; holiday crowds on the coast, not here
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LyrebirdsMar–Aug · Most often heard scratching in the leaf litter near Myrtle Mountain and the wet forest. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Superb lyrebird display seasonJun–Aug · Males call and display in winter; stay on the track. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Eastern grey kangaroos and wallabiesAll year · Common on the grassland edges at dawn and dusk — drive slowly. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wombats and possumsAll year · Mostly after dark; a torch helps around campgrounds. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| SnakesOct–Mar · Warm months; wear covered boots on grassy tracks. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Merimbula
Mount Darragh Road west to the central forest and Goodenia Rainforest; Snowy Mountains Highway (B72) for Pipers lookout.
45 min–1 h
From Bega
Snowy Mountains Highway north-west, or Mount Darragh Road to the southern blocks.
1–1.5 h
From Bombala
Cathcart Road north-east into the western side of the park.
45 min–1 h
From Cooma
Snowy Mountains Highway east through Nimmitabel and Bemboka.
2–2.5 h
From Sydney
Drive south via the Princes Highway to Bega or Merimbula, then inland.
6–7 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Snowy Mountains Highway corridor | Pipers lookout, the boardwalk and the escarpment edge. | Sealed road, open 24/7, no ticket. |
| Central forest around Mount Darragh Road | Goodenia Rainforest and the wettest, tallest forest. | Gravel spurs; 2WD in dry weather only. |
| Nunnock Swamp and grasslands | Open high country, the Nunnock walks and three campgrounds. | Gravel; check road condition after rain. |
| Tantawangalo and Waratah Gully blocks | Quiet southern forest, Six Mile Creek and Waratah Gully campgrounds. | Gravel; some tracks 4WD only. |
Sketch map
- 1Pipers lookout · Viewpoint≈-36.598, 149.445Map ↗
- 2Myanba Gorge lookout · Viewpoint≈-36.971, 149.444Map ↗
- 3Myrtle Mountain lookout · Viewpoint≈-36.858, 149.690Map ↗
- 4Nunnock campground · Sleep≈-36.703, 149.447Map ↗
- 5Alexanders Hut campground · Sleep≈-36.721, 149.463Map ↗
- 6Six Mile Creek campground · Sleep≈-36.786, 149.539Map ↗
- 7Waratah Gully campground · Sleep≈-37.002, 149.385Map ↗
- 8Bombala office · Headquarters≈-36.912, 149.238Map ↗
- 9Merimbula office · Headquarters≈-36.888, 149.906Map ↗
- 10Merimbula · Town≈-36.888, 149.910Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | vehicle | No entry fee and no gate for day visits; you pay only for camping. |
| Camping at Nunnock, Postmans, Alexanders Hut, Six Mile Creek or Waratah Gully | AUD 0–20 | night | 2026 estimate; book and pay through the NSW National Parks website before you go. |
| Vehicle entry to most other NSW national parks | AUD 0–12 | vehicle per day | 2026 estimate; this park is not one of the charging parks. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
Firewood and campfires no permit
Park rules
- No entry fee, but camping must be booked
- There is no gate or ticket for day visits; campsites are booked and paid online with NSW National Parks.
- Stay on formed tracks
- The forest blocks are large and lightly tracked; short cuts damage the rainforest understorey.
- Dogs and other pets
- Not allowed in the national park; leave them in Merimbula or Bega.
- Fires
- Only in provided fireplaces and never during a total fire ban; check the ban on the day.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a permit from NSW National Parks.
- Road closures
- Gravel roads and some spurs close after heavy rain or snow; check the NSW National Parks alerts page before driving in.
Where to stay
In the park
Nunnock campground
Basic high-country site near the Nunnock walks; cold at night.
In the park
Alexanders Hut campground
One site only — no group bookings; handy for the swamp loop.
In the park
Six Mile Creek and Postmans campgrounds
Small forest sites in the Tantawangalo blocks.
Near the park
Merimbula and Tathra
Motels, holiday parks and restaurants on the coast, 45 min–1 h away.
Near the park
Bombala
Small town base on the western side, closest to the Bombala office.
Safety
Wet, unsealed roads high
Remoteness and no phone signal medium
Bushfire high
Cold and snow in winter medium
Wildlife on the road medium
Accessibility
- Pipers lookout and its 500 m boardwalk are the most accessible stop, straight off the sealed highway.
- Myanba Gorge lookout is a 900 m walk from the car park and is doable for most people, but access can be restricted in heavy rain or snow.
- Goodenia Rainforest has boardwalk sections but uneven, often muddy surfaces.
- The longer walks at Pheasants Peak and the Nunnock tracks are rough and not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the boardwalks in the rainforest blocks; the soils and roots are easily damaged.
- Take all rubbish out — campgrounds are basic and bins are not guaranteed.
- Use a fuel stove instead of collecting firewood, and respect fire bans.
- Drive slowly on gravel: dust and road damage are the main visitor impacts here.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter SE Forest National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee and no gate for day visits. You pay only if you camp: the five campgrounds are booked and paid online with NSW National Parks, roughly A$0–20 a night (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in SE Forest National Park?
For most people, Goodenia Rainforest walking track (1–1.5 h, easy) and the Nunnock Swamp and Grasslands tracks (about 4 km, easy). Pheasants Peak walking track is the hard option at 3–5 h on rough ground. Pipers lookout is not a hike — it is a roadside stop with a 500 m boardwalk.
When is the best time to visit SE Forest National Park?
March–April and October–November: mild, usually dry and the gravel roads are at their best. Winter (June–August) is cold and wet with possible snow on high ground; summer is warm but brings total fire bans and road closures after storms.
Do I need a 4WD?
Not for the Snowy Mountains Highway or the main lookouts, but many spurs into the forest are unsealed and can be impassable after rain. A 2WD is fine in dry weather on the main gravel roads; check alerts first and turn back if a road looks freshly graded or flooded.
Can I visit without a car?
No. There is no public transport into the park and the sights are spread over more than 1,000 km². Base yourself in Merimbula, Bega or Bombala and drive.
Where should I stay near the park?
Camp inside at Nunnock, Alexanders Hut, Postmans, Six Mile Creek or Waratah Gully, or sleep on the coast at Merimbula or Tathra, 45 min–1 h from the main forest roads.
Is SE Forest National Park better than Beowa National Park?
They are different trips. Beowa is the coastal park with beaches, camping and far more visitors; SE Forest is inland wet forest and escarpment lookouts with almost no crowds. If you have one day and want the coast, choose Beowa.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks — South East Forest National Park
- officialNSW National Parks — Pipers lookout
- officialNSW National Parks — Goodenia Rainforest walking track
- officialNSW National Parks — Nunnock Swamp and Grasslands walking tracks
- officialNSW National Parks — Pheasants Peak walking track
- officialNSW National Parks — Myanba Gorge lookout
- officialNSW National Parks — Myrtle Mountain lookout
- officialNSW National Parks — Nunnock campground
- officialNSW National Parks — Alexanders Hut campground
- secondaryWikivoyage: SE Forest National Park, revision 4864093 (CC BY-SA 4.0)