Brindle Creek walking track is a 6.6 kilometre Grade 3 walk in Border Ranges National Park in northern New South Wales. Allow around two and a half hours to complete the track at a steady pace, a little longer if you plan to stop for photos or a swim. The walk begins at Brindle Creek picnic area and follows the creek line through cool, sheltered rainforest before finishing at Antarctic Beech picnic area near Kyogle. As this is a one way hike, you will need to arrange return transport at the far end, or retrace your steps, which turns the walk into a 13.2 kilometre return journey.
If you are drawn to waterfalls and ancient forest, this track delivers both in generous measure. The path winds through lush subtropical rainforest where the air feels damp and alive, especially after rain. Not far from the turn-off to the Helmholtzia loop, the forest seems to close in and deepen. Towering hoop pines rise above a dense understorey, and the ancient Antarctic beech trees stand thick and gnarled, their trunks layered with lichens and ferns. In the softer light beneath the canopy, the textures of bark, moss and leaf litter become part of the experience.
Keep an eye out for the distinctive helmholtzia lilies growing in the moist ground near the creek. The high mountain plateau acts almost like a cloud factory, and it is not unusual to find yourself walking through drifting mist, even in summer. When the fog settles among the trees, the atmosphere becomes quiet and otherworldly, with filtered light softening the forest floor and the sound of water carrying further than you expect.
Evans Falls is a natural pause point along the track. The falls tumble into a clear pool that is well suited to a refreshing swim on a warm day. A little further on, Selva Falls spills over broad, moss-covered boulders, creating a gentle cascade that invites you to slow down and take it in. Whether you are there for the scenery, the cool water or simply the stillness of old growth forest, Brindle Creek offers a rewarding walk that feels both accessible and deeply connected to the landscape.
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the
AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
- Before swimming beneath the falls, rinse off sunscreen and insect repellent well away from the creek. Even small amounts of these products can contaminate the water and harm sensitive frog species and other aquatic life.
- Bring a pair of binoculars if you enjoy birdwatching. The dense canopy and tall hoop pines provide habitat for a range of rainforest birds, and you are far more likely to spot them high in the treetops with a bit of magnification.
Total distance: 6612 m
Max elevation: 1052 m
Min elevation: 767 m
Total climbing: 418 m
Total descent: -133 m
Login to Download GPXGPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting to the trailhead: Border Ranges National Park.
Brindle Creek walking track is located in the Sheepstation Creek precinct of Border Ranges National Park. From Lismore, travel north west towards Kyogle, following the signs for around 40 kilometres. Once in Kyogle, continue north along Murwillumbah Road for approximately 30 kilometres until you reach Barkers Vale.
From there, enter the eastern precinct of the park via Tweed Range Scenic Drive. Follow the signs towards Forest Tops campground, then take the Brindle Creek turn-off. It is about 2 kilometres from this junction to Brindle Creek picnic area, which is the trailhead.
Check conditions before you leave, particularly after rain, as sections of the access road can become boggy. Parking is available at Brindle Creek picnic area.
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.
Looking for more walks in or near Border Ranges National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
Favourite
Border Ranges National Park
Favourite
Border Ranges National Park
Favourite
Border Ranges National Park
Favourite
Border Ranges National Park
Got any photos from this hike? Your photos can help others plan. Share shots from along the trail so fellow hikers know what to expect.
Click to add your photos >>
Notice something different about this trail? Whether it’s a new feature, a route change, or a closure, share your update so we can keep our info accurate and helpful for fellow hikers.
Click to suggest edits >>
