Rainforest Edges and Forested Slopes of the Tweed Caldera

Overview

Mebbin National Park sits in the far north of New South Wales, close to Murwillumbah and within the Tweed hinterland. It covers 3,804 hectares and protects part of the ancient Tweed shield volcano landscape, with forested ridges and slopes linking the ranges around Wollumbin and the Border Ranges. Part of the park is included in the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, and the wider park forms an important conservation link between larger protected areas nearby.

Highlights

What stands out here is the way the landscape shifts across the park. Mebbin is part of the eroded Tweed caldera, so the scenery is shaped by old volcanic landforms rather than broad open plateaus. Alongside the sheltered rainforest pockets, there are large areas of wet and dry eucalypt forest, which gives the park a varied, layered feel. That mix of subtropical forest and volcanic country is a big part of what makes this corner of the Tweed hinterland so memorable.

Best Time to Visit

Mebbin can be rewarding at any time of year, but the milder months tend to suit most walkers best, when the forest is more comfortable for longer days outside. Summer brings the lush, humid feel that suits the park’s subtropical rainforest, while cooler months usually make the drier eucalypt sections and longer outings more pleasant. After rain, the forest tends to feel especially rich and green.

Plants and Animals

The park protects a mix of dry eucalypt forest, wet sclerophyll forest and subtropical rainforest, with a small area of old-growth forest as well. This variety supports a rich spread of wildlife across the broader Tweed Caldera parks, a region recognised for an exceptional concentration of marsupial, bird, snake and frog species. In Mebbin itself, animals recorded from the park include large forest owls, lace monitors, glossy black-cockatoos and red-legged pademelons, while the endangered giant barred frog is one of the species associated with its wetter forest habitats.

Culture and Heritage

Mebbin National Park lies within the ancient Tweed Caldera reserves, where significant Aboriginal cultural heritage values are recognised. The park contains Aboriginal sites, and cultural values are managed in consultation with the relevant Aboriginal community organisations connected with Country across this planning area.