National park · Australia

Wollumbin National ParkWollumbin National Park (formerly Mount Warning National Park)

Go for the 8.8 km (5.5 mi) summit track if you can start by 6:30 and handle a chain-assisted rock scramble; otherwise walk the 200 m rainforest loop at the base and treat the peak as closed by cultural request.Go for the 8.8 km (5.5 mi) summit track if you can start by 6:30 AM and handle a chain-assisted rock scramble; otherwise walk the 200 m rainforest loop at the base and treat the peak as closed by cultural request.Go for the 5.5 mi (8.8 km) summit track if you can start by 6:30 and handle a chain-assisted rock scramble; otherwise walk the 200 m rainforest loop at the base and treat the peak as closed by cultural request.Go for the 5.5 mi (8.8 km) summit track if you can start by 6:30 AM and handle a chain-assisted rock scramble; otherwise walk the 200 m rainforest loop at the base and treat the peak as closed by cultural request.

Not field-verified

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

Special national site 2009Checked Sep 2026

Map to the park

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

24 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (24 km²)

approximate

Established

2009

Best months

Apr–Aug

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: 24 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (24 km²); Roughly 24 km²; the former Mount Warning National Park was folded into Wollumbin National Park in 2009 (check current figure).
Established: 2009
Best months: Apr–Aug
Permits: Not needed

Wollumbin is the eroded core of a shield volcano that once spread across the Tweed caldera, and its summit is the first point on the Australian mainland to catch the sunrise. The Bundjalung name Wollumbin means cloud-catcher, and the mountain is a men's ceremonial site: the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service asks visitors to respect Bundjalung law and not climb, but does not ban it. The park is small, the track is steep, and the whole visit is a half-day decision — climb, or walk the short rainforest loop and drive on.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

Special national site · 2009Part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area, listed 1986 and extended 1994.

Size and age

24 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (24 km²) · national park since 2009

Roughly 24 km²; the former Mount Warning National Park was folded into Wollumbin National Park in 2009 (check current figure).

Why go

A summit that catches the first sunrise on the Australian mainland, on a clear morning.
Subtropical rainforest on the crater rim, with bangalow palms, strangler figs and stinging trees.
A short, flat rainforest loop at the base for anyone who does not want the climb.
Easy to combine with the Tweed Valley, Murwillumbah and the Gold Coast in one day.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanCaution
FebCaution
MarGo
AprBest
MayBest
JunBest
JulBest
AugBest
SepGo
OctGo
NovCaution
DecCaution

JanHot and humid; afternoon storms
FebWettest stretch; leeches on the track
MarRain easing; green forest
AprMild, clear mornings
MayDry, cool, good visibility
JunCold dawns, crisp views
JulDriest month; coldest start
AugDry and clear; light winds
SepWarming; spring flowers
OctWarm; watch for storms
NovHumid; afternoon thunder
DecHot and wet; school holidays

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Wollumbin National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Red-legged pademelonAll year · Most often seen at dawn and dusk near the lower track.	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Rainforest birds (whipbirds, bowerbirds, catbirds)Mar–Oct	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no
Leeches and ticksDec–Mar · Wet-season hazard on the lower track; wear long socks and check after walking.	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	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 Murwillumbah

Kyogle Road west about 12 km (7.5 mi), then Mount Warning Road about 6 km (3.7 mi) to the car park.Kyogle Road west about 7.5 mi (12 km), then Mount Warning Road about 3.7 mi (6 km) to the car park.

20–25 min

From Gold Coast (Coolangatta)

Pacific Motorway south to Murwillumbah, then as above.

50–70 min

From Byron Bay

Coast road north to Murwillumbah, then inland to the park.

1–1.5 h

From Brisbane

Pacific Motorway south past the border, then Murwillumbah and Mount Warning Road.

2–2.5 h

Zones and sectors

Zones of Wollumbin National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Trailhead and lower rainforest	Car park, trackhead sign with the Bundjalung request, picnic tables and the start of the summit track.	Open, free, no ticket.
Crater rim and summit	The steep upper track, the chain-assisted rock section and the summit platform.	Open to walkers; cultural request not to climb.
Rainforest loop	Short flat boardwalk-style path through palms and figs near the base.	Open, free, suitable for most walkers.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions from the trailhead to the summit, for orientation only.

1Mount Warning Road car park · Gate≈-28.390, 153.269Trailhead and start of the summit track; approximate.Map ↗
2Wollumbin summit · Summit≈-28.397, 153.271Approximate position of the summit platform.Map ↗
3Murwillumbah · Town≈-28.327, 153.395Nearest town with services; approximate.Map ↗
4Uki · Village≈-28.414, 153.337Village on the road to the park; approximate.Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

4 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.

Approximate positions from the trailhead to the summit, for orientation only.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsHard4–5 h returnWollumbin summit trackAbout 8.8 km (5.5 mi) return, roughly 700 m of climbing; the last section is a rock scramble with a fixed chain. Start before 6:30 for sunrise, carry 2 L of water and a head torch.

TrailsEasy20–30 minRainforest loop walkFlat path through bangalow palms and strangler figs at the base; the option if you choose not to climb.

ViewpointsHardPart of the summit walkSunrise from the summitOn a clear morning the summit is the first mainland point to see the sun; cloud can close the view in any month.

WildlifeEasyEarly morning or late afternoonRainforest birds and pademelonsLook for whipbirds, bowerbirds and red-legged pademelons along the lower track; do not feed them.

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

AUD ranges · check

Fees for Wollumbin National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry	Free	person	No entry fee for NSW national parks; parking at the trailhead is free.
Camping in the park	Free	night	Not permitted; there is no campground inside the park.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry no permit

No ticket or permit; walk in from the Mount Warning Road car park.

Summit track no permit

Open to walkers, but NSW National Parks asks visitors to respect Bundjalung law and not climb; the request is posted at the trackhead.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Cultural request: Bundjalung law restricts who may climb Wollumbin. NSW National Parks posts the request at the trackhead and asks visitors to respect it; climbing is not banned.
Camping: No camping anywhere inside the park; the nearest sites are outside the boundary.
Drones: Not allowed in NSW national parks without a permit from the parks service (check).check
Fires and rubbish: No fires; carry out everything you bring in.
Pets: Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the park.

Where to stay

Near the park

Murwillumbah

Motels, guesthouses and pubs about 20–25 min from the trailhead; the practical base.

Near the park

Uki and Tyalgum

Small village stays and farm cottages on the roads to the park.

Near the park

Gold Coast

Full range of hotels 50–70 min north, useful if you are combining the park with the coast.

Safety

Steep rock scramble near the summit high

Use the fixed chain, keep three points of contact, and turn back if the rock is wet.

Heat and humidity medium

Carry at least 2 L of water per person; start at dawn in summer and avoid the midday climb.

Stinging trees and leeches medium

Stay on the track, wear long socks in the wet months, and do not touch plants with broad serrated leaves.

Afternoon storms and lightning medium

Check the forecast; leave the summit before storms build in the afternoon.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Date

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 rainforest loop at the base is short and mostly flat, but the surface is uneven dirt and not a sealed accessible path.
The summit track is steep, rough and chain-assisted; not suitable for wheelchairs, prams or limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

Respect the Bundjalung request not to climb if you can; the rainforest loop gives the same forest without the summit.
Stay on marked tracks to avoid spreading phytophthora root rot through the rainforest.
Take all rubbish out; there are no bins at the trailhead.
Do not feed pademelons or birds; it changes their behaviour and health.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Wollumbin National Park?

Nothing. NSW national parks do not charge entry, and parking at the Mount Warning Road trailhead is free. There is no campground and no ticket booth.

What are the best hikes in Wollumbin National Park?

The summit track is the main walk: about 8.8 km return, 4–5 hours, with a steep chain-assisted rock scramble at the top. The rainforest loop at the base is a flat 20–30 minute alternative if you choose not to climb.

When is the best time to visit Wollumbin National Park?

June to August for the driest, clearest mornings and the best chance of a view from the summit. April, May and September are also good. December to February is hot, humid and stormy.

Can I climb Wollumbin (Mount Warning)?

The track is open and climbing is not banned, but NSW National Parks posts a Bundjalung request at the trackhead asking visitors to respect traditional law and not climb. The decision is yours; the rainforest loop is the alternative.

Can I camp in Wollumbin National Park?

No. Camping is not allowed anywhere inside the park. Stay in Murwillumbah, Uki or on the Gold Coast and drive in for the day.

How long does the summit walk take?

Allow 4–5 hours return for the 8.8 km track. Most people start before dawn for sunrise and are back at the car park by mid-morning.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

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