National park · Australia
New England National Park
Go only if you have a car and a spare half-day: drive the unpaved Point Lookout Road to the escarpment, walk the 200 m to Point Lookout, then pick one rainforest track. Skip it if you are on a tight Sydney–Brisbane run — it is 5–6 h from Sydney and 2 h from Coffs Harbour.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
32 km²12 sq mi
approximate
Established
1937
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 8
- 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.
- New South Wales ↗Bushfire season runs through summer: check the NSW Rural Fire Service before driving or hiking outside the city.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 32 km²12 sq mi
- The park covers approximately 31.5 km² of escarpment and rainforest on the Northern Tablelands.
- Established
- 1937
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
New England National Park sits on the eastern edge of the Northern Tablelands, where the plateau drops in cliffs and spurs to the Bellinger River valley. It is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, World Heritage listed in 1986 and added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2007. Subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate rainforest grow here at unusually high altitude, alongside snow gum woodland, heath and swamp. The park is small in visitor infrastructure and reached by unpaved road; almost everything — lookouts, tracks, cabins, the one campground — clusters at the end of Point Lookout Road.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1986Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (New England Group); Australian National Heritage List 2007.
Size and age
32 km²12 sq mi · national park since 1937
The park covers approximately 31.5 km² of escarpment and rainforest on the Northern Tablelands.
Why go
- Point Lookout at 1,563 m — a 200 m walk from the car park, with the Tasman Sea visible on a clear day.
- Rainforest types stacked by altitude in one small area: subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate.
- Birding: more than 100 species recorded, including lyrebirds, riflebirds and one of five remaining rufous scrub-bird populations.
- Quiet. Outside Easter the campground and tracks are often near-empty.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanWarm; afternoon storms
- FebWarm; humid rainforest
- MarMild; clear escarpment views
- AprCool, dry, good visibility
- MayCrisp; frost at night
- JunCold nights; snow possible on the plateau
- JulColdest; ice and fog on the road
- AugCold, often clear
- SepMild; wildflowers and birds
- OctWarm days, dry tracks
- NovWarm; lyrebird activity
- DecHoliday crowds; heat and storms
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superb lyrebirdJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Rufous scrub-bird (one of five remaining populations)Sep–Dec | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Paradise riflebird, regent bowerbird, green catbirdOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Koala, tiger quoll, northern brown bandicoot, common bentwing batAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wedge-tailed eagle, greater sooty owl, crimson rosellaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Armidale
B78 Waterfall Way east about 65 km, then Point Lookout Rd for about 15 km; mostly unpaved.B78 Waterfall Way east about 40 mi, then Point Lookout Rd for about 9.3 mi; mostly unpaved.
1 h 15 min
From Dorrigo
B78 Waterfall Way west about 55 km past Ebor, then Point Lookout Rd.B78 Waterfall Way west about 34 mi past Ebor, then Point Lookout Rd.
1 h
From Coffs Harbour
M1 south, exit to B78 Waterfall Way near Raleigh, west about 100 km, then Point Lookout Rd.M1 south, exit to B78 Waterfall Way near Raleigh, west about 62 mi, then Point Lookout Rd.
2 h
Open the page →
From Sydney
Drive via the Pacific M1 and Waterfall Way; no public transport to the park gate.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Country plan
Where this park fits in an Australia trip and how long to allow.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Point Lookout precinct | Car park, Point Lookout, Lyrebird track, Tea Tree Falls track, The Chalet, The Residence, Toms Cabin. | Open; 2WD-accessible in dry weather. |
| Thungutti and the valley tracks | Thungutti campground and the Cascades, Eagles Nest and Weeping Rock tracks dropping off the escarpment. | Open; steep sections, wet rock. |
| Wrights Lookout | A remnant piece of the extinct Ebor Volcano, looking down the Bellinger River valley. | Walk-in only; 3.4 km return.Walk-in only; 2.1 mi return. |
| Park interior and New England Wilderness walk | The 33 km traverse from the western to the eastern end of the park.The 21 mi traverse from the western to the eastern end of the park. | No phone coverage; self-sufficient walkers only. |
Sketch map
- 1Point Lookout · Viewpoint≈-30.489, 152.410Map ↗
- 2The Chalet and The Residence · Sleep≈-30.493, 152.407Map ↗
- 3Thungutti campground · Sleep≈-30.500, 152.388Map ↗
- 4Wrights Lookout · Viewpoint≈-30.508, 152.405Map ↗
- 5Ebor · Town≈-30.402, 152.350Map ↗
- 6Little Styx River camping area · Sleep≈-30.508, 152.367Map ↗
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 for NSW national parks. |
| Thungutti campground | AUD 15–25 | person/night | Book through the NSW National Parks booking service; rates vary by season and site type. |
| The Chalet (one room, max 3 guests) | AUD 220 | night | 2026 estimate; check-in 14:00, check-out 10:00. |
| The Residence (four rooms, max 10 guests) | AUD 373 | night | 2026 estimate; check-in 14:00, check-out 10:00. |
| Toms Cabin (two rooms, max 8 guests) | AUD 100–150 | night | No electricity; bring bedding, food and cookware. Rate set by NSW National Parks. |
| Little Styx River camping area (outside the park) | Free | site | Free, about 8 sites, one drop toilet, first-come first-served; dogs and firepits allowed. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping and cabins permit or guide
Satellite messenger for the park interior no permit
Park rules
- No mountain biking
- There are no MTB trails in the park; walking tracks only.
- Camp only in designated areas
- No backcountry camping; use Thungutti campground or the park cabins.
- Fires
- Check current NSW National Parks fire rules and total fire bans before lighting anything; firepits are allowed only at the Little Styx River area outside the park.
- Dogs
- Not permitted in the national park; the free Little Styx River camping area outside it allows dogs.
- Roads
- Point Lookout Rd is unpaved and not suitable for caravans; small 2WDs may struggle. Confirm your rental agreement covers unsealed roads.
Where to stay
In the park
The Chalet
One room, maximum three guests, 1316 Point Lookout Road; verandah over the forest.
In the park
The Residence
Four rooms, maximum ten guests, same address; closest to the lookouts and tracks.
In the park
Toms Cabin
Two rooms, maximum eight guests, 1388 Point Lookout Road; no electricity, bring everything.
In the park
Thungutti campground
The park's only campground, about 20 sites among eucalyptus; busy mainly at Easter.
Near the park
Ebor and Dorrigo
Small-town pubs, motels and farm stays on Waterfall Way if the park beds are booked.
Safety
No phone coverage in most of the park high
Bushfire medium
Cold, fog and ice on the plateau medium
Wet, steep tracks medium
Accessibility
- Point Lookout is a 200 m walk from the car park on a formed track.
- The escarpment tracks — Cascades, Eagles Nest, Wrights Lookout — are steep and rough, with roots and wet rock; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks; the rainforest soils and fern gullies are easily damaged.
- Carry out all rubbish — there are minimal bins in the park.
- Book the campground and cabins rather than camping informally, and keep to the designated sites.
- Keep noise down near dawn and dusk; this is a significant bird area.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter New England National Park?
Nothing. NSW national parks do not charge an entry fee, so there is no gate ticket. You pay only if you camp or stay in a park cabin — Thungutti campground and the cabins (The Chalet, The Residence, Toms Cabin) are booked through the NSW National Parks booking service, and rates change, so check before you book.
What are the best hikes in New England National Park?
For a short visit, the 0.5 km Point Lookout walking track gives the biggest view for the least effort. With half a day, add Eagles Nest (2.2 km) or the Cascades loop (5.7 km) through rainforest gullies. Wrights Lookout (3.4 km return) is the pick for the Bellinger valley. The 33 km New England Wilderness walk is a 2–3 day trip for self-sufficient walkers.
When is the best time to visit New England National Park?
March to May and September to November: mild days, drier tracks and the clearest escarpment views. Winter is cold at 1,500 m with possible ice and fog on the road; summer brings heat, afternoon storms and holiday crowds, especially at Easter.
Do I need a 4WD to get there?
No, but the last 15 km on Point Lookout Road is unpaved. A good 2WD is usually fine in dry weather; caravans are not suitable and small 2WDs may struggle. Check that your rental agreement covers unsealed roads, and check road conditions after heavy rain.
Can I get there without a car?
No. There is no public transport to the park. Rent a car in Coffs Harbour or Armidale, or join a tour from Dorrigo or Coffs Harbour (check availability).
Is there mobile phone coverage in the park?
Most of the park has none. Coverage is patchy even near the escarpment. Tell someone your plans before walking anywhere beyond the Point Lookout precinct, and carry a satellite device if going into the park interior alone.
What wildlife might I see?
Superb lyrebirds, crimson rosellas, king parrots and honeyeaters are common around the tracks. The park supports one of five remaining rufous scrub-bird populations and is an Important Bird Area. Mammals include koalas, tiger quolls and bandicoots, but they are rarely seen.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go