Rainforest loop
Dooragan National Park
Overview
This relaxing walk close to Laurieton and Port Macquarie loops through rainforest to a remote lookout with coastal views, before returning to Dooragan Summit picnic area.
- Where
- Dooragan National Park in North Coast
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Distance
- 0.6km loop
- Time suggested
- 15 - 30min
- Grade
- Grade 4
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water, binoculars, insect repellent
- Please note
- 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.
Rainforest loop is a relatively relaxed walk leading to the furthest end of the loop, where a small remote lookout platform gives lovely views of 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. You can see epiphyte orchids and other plants on this part of the loop walk. There’s also an amazing example of a strangler fig near the carpark.
The northern end of this loop track is wheelchair-accessible.
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. Starting and ending at Dooragan Summit picnic area, enjoy scenic views over the coast and watch hang-gliders launch themselves from the summit.
Take a virtual tour of Rainforest loop captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Nearby
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Laurieton track
This challenging walk from Laurieton town to scenic Dooragan Summit picnic area on North Brother Mountain is not to be missed. The views are some of the best across northern New South Wales.
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Dooragan Summit picnic area
Enjoy Dooragan Summit picnic area near Laurieton for its stunning panoramic scenery. After gazing at coastal vistas, have a picnic or walk to more fantastic viewpoints.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://uat.nswparks.cloud/things-to-do/walking-tracks/rainforest-loop/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in 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.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Rainforest loop.
Maps and downloads
Learn more
Rainforest loop is in Dooragan National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A choir of birdsong
While most visitors may see certain species around the lookouts - like cheeky magpies, currawongs and kookaburras - those with an ear for birds will find the forest has a greater diversity than their eyes would have them believe. Occasionally, a lucky birdwatcher may spot the dramatic flash of rainbow colour as a wompoo fruit-dove darts from place to place in search of rainforest fruits. Overhead, resident wedge-tailed eagles demonstrate their clever use of up-drafts, watching for where their next meal might come from.
- Laurieton track This challenging walk from Laurieton town to scenic Dooragan Summit picnic area on North Brother Mountain is not to be missed. The views are some of the best across northern New South Wales.
- Rainforest loop This relaxing walk close to Laurieton and Port Macquarie loops through rainforest to a remote lookout with coastal views, before returning to Dooragan Summit picnic area.
Dreamtime stories
The local Aboriginal people tell a Dreamtime story of three brothers in the Birpai tribe who were killed and buried where the mountains stand. The youngest of the three brothers was Dooragan, hence the park's name. Coincidentally, 'Three Brothers' was also a name given to the three mountains by Captain James Cook as he sailed past in 1770, without any knowledge that the local Aboriginal people referred to them in such a similar way.
Soar like an eagle
Popular for almost 30 years as a hang-gliding site, most park visitors leave launching themselves off the summit to the professionals, and just enjoy watching the awesome spectacle as experienced pilots lift off from and soar around the lookout area.
- Rainforest loop This relaxing walk close to Laurieton and Port Macquarie loops through rainforest to a remote lookout with coastal views, before returning to Dooragan Summit picnic area.
The lifeblood of Laurieton
Sixty or so years after Captain Cook passed by, the forests of North Brother Mountain and good access to waterways for easy transport and shipping, meant that timber harvesting contributed to the establishment of the Camden Haven area, and pioneer settlements developed around them.
- Laurieton track This challenging walk from Laurieton town to scenic Dooragan Summit picnic area on North Brother Mountain is not to be missed. The views are some of the best across northern New South Wales.