The Border Loop walk is a short and easy 1.5 kilometre circuit in Border Ranges National Park in northern New South Wales. Graded 2 and typically completed in about 45 minutes, it suits families, casual walkers and anyone looking to stretch their legs while travelling the Tweed Range Scenic Drive. It is the kind of stop that rewards you with far more than the time it takes.
The track begins at the Border Loop lookout and picnic area, where tall trees rise overhead and the air feels cooler beneath the rainforest canopy. Within minutes you are surrounded by World Heritage listed subtropical rainforest, with thick vines, buttressed trunks and a layered canopy that filters the light into soft green tones. Interpretive signs along the way explain some of the ancient plant species that thrive here, offering a quiet reminder of just how long this landscape has been evolving.
Keep your eyes on the upper branches as you walk. This forest supports a population of koalas, and while sightings are never guaranteed, scanning the forks of large eucalypts can sometimes reveal a grey shape curled high above the ground. Even if you do not spot one, the sense of being in genuine koala habitat adds another layer of interest to the walk.
As the circuit nears its end, the forest opens to the Border Loop lookout. From here you can look out across the Gradys Creek valley and trace the line of the historic Border Loop railway as it threads its way through tunnels in the McPherson Range. It is a peaceful spot to pause, take a few photos and let the scale of the surrounding ranges sink in.
With picnic tables and barbecues nearby, many walkers choose to linger a little longer. Whether you are breaking up a scenic drive or planning a relaxed morning in the park, the Border Loop walk offers an accessible introduction to the rich rainforest landscapes of the Border Ranges, along with a chance to slow down and enjoy one of northern New South Wales’ most distinctive natural settings.
Grade 2 (Easy) -Â
A Gentle Introduction to Inclines: Grade 2 on the
AWTGS represents easy walking tracks that offer a slightly more challenging experience compared to Grade 1. Similar to Grade 1, no prior bushwalking experience is required. The track surface is typically hardened or compacted and may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps. The total distance of a Grade 2 walk is typically no greater than 10 kilometers. These walks are still suitable for families with a bit more experience or those seeking a gentle introduction to some inclines.
- Picnic tables and barbecue facilities are available at the Border Loop lookout and picnic area, right where the walk begins, making it easy to plan a relaxed lunch before or after your circuit.
- Bring a pair of binoculars if you enjoy birdwatching. The layered rainforest canopy and nearby valley create good opportunities to spot both resident and visiting species.
Total distance: 1637 m
Max elevation: 403 m
Min elevation: 355 m
Total climbing: 94 m
Total descent: -94 m
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Getting to the trailhead: Border Ranges National Park.
Border Loop walk begins at the Border Loop lookout and picnic area near Cougal, close to the New South Wales and Queensland border. The trailhead is clearly signposted and located directly beside the main carpark.
If you are travelling from New South Wales, turn off Summerland Way onto Gradys Creek Road and follow it for approximately 19 kilometres. The road winds through rural countryside and forest before arriving at the lookout and picnic area.
If you are coming from Queensland, leave the Mount Lindesay Highway at Rathdowney and turn into Running Creek Road. Continue for about 35 kilometres until you reach the Border Loop lookout and picnic area.
Parking is available at the lookout in a sealed bitumen carpark adjacent to the start of the walk.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Bonalbo, Kyogle, Lismore, Mount Warning, Murwillumbah, Nimbin, Rathdowney, Richmond Range, Stokers Siding, Tumbulgum, Uki, Woodenbong
Border Ranges National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, protecting an expanse of ancient subtropical rainforest near Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales. This is a landscape shaped by deep time, where remnants of the supercontinent Gondwana survive in the form of towering trees, rare plant species and diverse wildlife. Walking here feels like stepping into an older world, one that has remained largely untouched compared to much of Australia’s cleared and modified country.
The park offers a range of ways to explore, whether you prefer short rainforest walks, longer hikes, cycling routes or scenic drives. Tweed Range Scenic Drive, part of the broader Rainforest Way, winds through the park and links many of its highlights. It is an easy way to experience changing forest types, open lookouts and quiet picnic areas, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take a closer look. Short tracks such as the Palm Forest walk provide a gentle introduction to the dense subtropical rainforest, while longer options like the Booyong walk from Sheepstation Creek campground allow you to spend more time under the canopy.
Lookouts scattered throughout the park reveal the dramatic crater escarpment that defines this region. On clear days you can see across rolling forested ridges to Wollumbin Mount Warning and, in the distance, towards the coast. After rain, waterfalls swell and mist drifts through the valleys, adding another layer of atmosphere. Photographers are often drawn to the interplay of light and shadow in the rainforest, where massive buttressed trees, lush ferns and tangled vines create rich textures at every turn.
Border Ranges is easily reached from Kyogle and Lismore, making it suitable for a long day trip. If you prefer to take your time, several campgrounds within the park offer a simple but memorable way to stay overnight. Falling asleep to the sound of the forest and waking to birdsong adds another dimension to the experience, and allows you to enjoy the early morning light before most visitors arrive.
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