Rainforest loop is a 600m, grade 4 hike located in the Dooragan National Park, New South Wales. The hike should take around 30 mins to complete.
Hike summary
Rainforest loop is a relatively relaxed walk leading to the furthest end of the loop, where a small remote lookout platform looks back at Diamond Head. On the southern side of the loop, the rainforest - with its suspended gallery of birds nest ferns - plunges you into an amazing green cathedral. Surprisingly few people use this track, so the casual picnic visitor to the lookouts could easily find a little piece of solitude and serenity in the cool harmony of the rainforest here.
The highlight of taking this walk is really the gallery of birds nest ferns, epiphyte orchids, and other plants on the southern part of the loop walk. There's also an amazing and accessible example of a strangler fig close to the track, near the carpark end of the southern side of the loop walk.
Take a virtual tour of Rainforest loop captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Route and GPX file
This hike is missing a route map and GPX file. If you have one for this hike, please upload your .gpx or .kml file here.
Tips
At times, as with anywhere in the bush, ticks, leeches, and other biting insects may be about, and it's a good idea to wear light-coloured clothing and insect repellent if you're sensitive to such bites.
There is reasonable mobile phone reception in this park
Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird watch
Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.
The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.
Gear you might need
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Location
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Getting there
To Summit picnic area. On entering Dooragan National Park:Enter the park via Captain Cook Bicentennial Drive, just north of the main part of Laurieton.Travel 5km up Captain Cook Bicentennial Drive to Summit picnic area (there's a carpark at the terminal end of this dead-end road access point)Enter Rainforest loop from the western side of the picnic area, opposite the toilet block and shelter shed.Either ends of this loop walk are about 30m apart, off the edge of the western picnic area. Park entry points Summit picnic area See on map Parking Parking is available at Summit picnic area. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited at times
About the region
Dooragan National Park in the North Coast region
Dooragan National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Gallery
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.