Rosewood Loop is a rewarding extension to the gentle Palm Forest walk in Border Ranges National Park, offering a deeper immersion into one of the most diverse rainforest landscapes in northern New South Wales. At 6 kilometres return and graded as a moderate level track, it usually takes around two and a half hours to complete at a relaxed pace. While it is suitable for most walkers with a reasonable level of fitness, the additional distance and uneven surfaces lift it beyond a simple stroll.
The walk begins at Sheepstation Creek campground, where the forest immediately feels cool and enclosed. Following the Palm Forest and Booyong walking tracks north, you move through thick stands of subtropical rainforest alive with layers of green. Young saplings push towards the canopy while towering mature trees filter the light above. The air often feels damp and earthy, especially after rain, and the forest floor is scattered with fallen leaves and moss-covered logs that hint at the long life cycle of this ancient landscape.
Before long you reach a mountain creek that winds quietly through the forest. In dry conditions it trickles gently over smooth stones, but after rainfall it can flow with surprising energy, slipping over rocks in small cascades. The clear water and shaded banks make this a natural pause point. Many walkers stop here for a picnic or to cool their feet, particularly on warmer days when the rainforest humidity builds.
About two kilometres beyond the creek, keep an eye out for signage marking the start of the Rosewood Loop. This section showcases some of the park’s most impressive trees. Mature rosewood and white beech rise high above the track, their broad buttress roots spreading like natural sculptures at the base of each trunk. These giants are part of a Gondwana rainforest system that has survived for millions of years, and standing beside them gives a strong sense of scale and time. Tree hollows provide habitat for wildlife such as sugar gliders and powerful owls, so it is worth slowing down and listening for movement in the canopy.
For those wanting to extend the day, the Booyong walking track continues north towards Forest Tops campground, adding distance and a little more elevation. Even without that extension, Rosewood Loop offers a satisfying mix of gentle walking, rich ecological interest, and quiet creek-side moments. It is the kind of track that suits a relaxed morning or afternoon, where the focus is less on pace and more on noticing the details that make the Border Ranges such a special place to walk.
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.
- Summer is best enjoyed early in the day to avoid heat and humidity. Carry sufficient water.
- Sunrise at Pinnacle Lookout offers clear views of the crater escarpment, Wollumbin Mount Warning and the coast.
- Toilets, picnic tables and barbecues are available at Sheepstation Creek campground, the walk’s starting point.
- Border Ranges National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Total distance: 6303 m
Max elevation: 484 m
Min elevation: 356 m
Total climbing: 346 m
Total descent: -345 m
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Getting to the trailhead: Border Ranges National Park.
Rosewood Loop is located in the Sheepstation Creek precinct of Border Ranges National Park. From Lismore, drive north west towards Kyogle for about 40 kilometres. From Kyogle, follow the Murwillumbah Road north for approximately 30 kilometres to Barkers Vale. Turn onto Tweed Range Scenic Drive to enter the eastern precinct of the park, then follow signs to Sheepstation Creek Campground.
Road conditions can vary, particularly after rain, when sections may become boggy. Check the weather and local road updates before setting out. Parking is available at Sheepstation Creek campground, which is also the starting point for 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.
Looking for more walks in or near Border Ranges National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Border Ranges National Park
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