National park · Australia
Mallanganee National Park
Give it 1–2 hours, not a day: drive to Mallanganee Lookout on the Bruxner Highway for the rainforest view, picnic and signs, then push on to Border Ranges or Nightcap for real walks. Entry is free.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
11 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (11 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
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
- 11 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (11 km²)
- About 11.4 km²; boundaries and gazettal details should be confirmed against the NSW National Parks plan of management (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Mallanganee National Park is a small protected patch of Gondwana rainforest on the Richmond Range in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, about 11.4 km² in size. There is no visitor centre, no campground and no long trail network: the park's one developed stop is Mallanganee Lookout, with a carpark, picnic tables and interpretive signs about some of the oldest rainforest on earth. Treat it as a 1–2 hour break on the Bruxner Highway between Casino and Tenterfield, or as a short detour off the Summerland Way, and pair it with the bigger parks nearby if you want to walk.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1986Part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage property (listed 1986, extended 1994); Mallanganee sits in the Focal Group of that listing (check).
Size and age
11 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (11 km²) · national park since 1990
About 11.4 km²; boundaries and gazettal details should be confirmed against the NSW National Parks plan of management (check).
Why go
- A free, signed rainforest lookout right off the Bruxner Highway, with a picnic area and carpark.
- Interpretive panels explain why these subtropical rainforests are among the oldest on the planet.
- A low-effort stop that fits between Casino and Tenterfield without eating a whole day.
- A useful first taste of Gondwana rainforest before you commit a day to Border Ranges or Nightcap.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot and humid; storms build in the afternoon
- FebWet; leeches on any off-track walking
- MarRain easing; green and quiet
- AprMild, clear; best all-round month
- MayCool nights, dry roads, clear views
- JunCold mornings; frost possible on the range
- JulColdest month; bring a jacket for the lookout
- AugDry and crisp; good light
- SepWarming up; wildflowers and birds active
- OctWarm, mostly dry, before the summer storms
- NovHotter; afternoon thunder possible
- DecHot, humid, school-holiday traffic on the highway
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainforest birds (whipbirds, fruit-doves, scrubwrens)Mar–May, Sep–Nov · Most active early morning; listen more than you look. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Koalas and possums in surrounding forestAll year · Present in the region but rarely seen from the lookout (check). | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches and ticksNov–Mar · A problem only if you leave the formed area; cover up. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| SnakesOct–Mar · Warm-season risk on grass edges; watch your step. | 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
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Casino
Bruxner Highway (B60) west towards Tenterfield, then the signed turn to Mallanganee Lookout Road.
35–45 min
From Kyogle
Summerland Way south to the Bruxner Highway, then west to the lookout turn.
40–50 min
From Lismore
Drive via Casino on the Bruxner Highway; the lookout is the easy stop on the way west.
1 h 10 min–1 h 30 min
From Sydney
Long drive north on the Pacific and Bruxner highways; most visitors break the trip at Casino or Kyogle.
8–9 h
Open the page →
From Brisbane
Drive south via the Pacific Motorway and Summerland Way, or via the Bruxner Highway from the west.
2 h 45 min–3 h 30 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mallanganee Lookout and picnic area | Carpark, picnic tables and interpretive signs with a view over the rainforest canopy. | Open; free; short walk from the car. |
| Rainforest interior | Dense subtropical rainforest on the Richmond Range, mostly without formed tracks. | No marked walking trails; do not push into the bush. |
| Roadside and highway verges | The Bruxner Highway and Summerland Way corridors that bracket the park. | Open; take care with trucks and wildlife at dawn and dusk. |
Sketch map
- 1Mallanganee Lookout · Viewpoint≈-28.899, 152.741Carpark, picnic area and interpretive signs; the park's main stop.Map ↗
- 2Mallanganee village · Town≈-28.917, 152.750Tiny highway settlement; fuel and food are limited (check).Map ↗
- 3Casino · Town≈-28.865, 153.048Nearest practical services and base, east on the Bruxner Highway.Map ↗
- 4Kyogle · Town≈-28.622, 152.997Base for the Summerland Way and the Richmond Range parks.Map ↗
- 5Tenterfield · Town≈-29.055, 152.019Western anchor of the Bruxner Highway.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Park coordinates from Wikidata; the lookout position is approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | NSW national parks charge no day-use entry fee at parks without a visitor centre or campground; this park has neither (check). |
| Vehicle entry | Free | vehicle | No per-vehicle charge here; a small number of NSW parks do charge for vehicle access, this one does not (check). |
| Camping | Free | night | No camping in the park; nearest sites are in the surrounding state forests and nearby parks (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping no permit
Commercial filming or research permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay on formed areas
- There are no marked walking trails beyond the lookout; do not enter the rainforest interior.
- No camping
- Camping is not permitted in the park; use nearby state forest or park campgrounds.
- No fires
- Total fire bans apply across the region in summer; check the Rural Fire Service before any fire.
- Dogs and pets
- Not allowed in NSW national parks, including in the car park.
- Leave no trace
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins at the site.
Where to stay
Near the park
Casino
Motels and pubs, about 35–45 min east; the most practical base for a highway stop.
Near the park
Kyogle
Small-town motels and caravan park, 40–50 min south; good for the Summerland Way.
Near the park
Tenterfield
Historic town with motels and B&Bs, further west along the Bruxner Highway.
Safety
Wildlife on the road at dawn and dusk medium
Summer heat and humidity medium
Slippery ground after rain low
No phone signal in pockets of the range low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The lookout has a carpark with a short, mostly level walk to the viewing area and picnic tables.
- No formed accessible trail network beyond the lookout; wheelchair users should plan for a short stop only.
- No toilets or drinking water at the site; the nearest services are in Casino, Kyogle or Tenterfield.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything you bring; there are no bins and no staff on site.
- Do not collect plants, seeds or rocks from a World Heritage rainforest area.
- Keep to the lookout and picnic area so the rainforest understorey is not trampled.
- Support the towns along the Bruxner Highway by buying fuel and food there.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mallanganee National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee for this park and no vehicle charge at the lookout; you pay only if you book camping or a tour elsewhere in the region. Budget for fuel and food in Casino, Kyogle or Tenterfield instead.
What are the best hikes in Mallanganee National Park?
There are no marked walking trails here. The park's developed stop is Mallanganee Lookout, a short walk from the carpark with picnic tables and interpretive signs. For real hikes, drive on to Border Ranges or Nightcap national parks.
When is the best time to visit Mallanganee National Park?
April, May, September and October give mild temperatures, drier roads and clearer light. December to February is hot, humid and storm-prone, and summer school holidays bring more traffic on the Bruxner Highway.
How long do you need at Mallanganee National Park?
Plan 1–2 hours: a stop at the lookout, a picnic and a look at the signs. It is a break on a longer drive, not a day out.
Are there toilets or water at Mallanganee National Park?
No. There are no toilets, no drinking water and no bins at the site; the nearest services are in Casino, Kyogle or Tenterfield (check).
Can you camp in Mallanganee National Park?
No. Camping is not permitted in the park. Look at campgrounds in the surrounding state forests or in the larger national parks nearby.
How do you get to Mallanganee National Park?
Drive. From Casino it is 35–45 minutes west on the Bruxner Highway, then the signed turn to Mallanganee Lookout Road. From Kyogle, take the Summerland Way to the Bruxner Highway, about 40–50 minutes.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go