Chaelundi National Park
Overview
North-west of Dorrigo, Chaelundi National Park has the largest old-growth forest in northern NSW, with fun places to go biking, swimming, picnicking and camping.
Read more about Chaelundi National Park
You’d be forgiven for thinking the ‘great outdoors’ actually meant the rugged landscape of Chaelundi National Park.
Bike and walking trails zigzag across spectacular views to the river. Crisp, fresh scents soak the air as you approach sparkling waterfalls and creeks. In the afternoon, a spacious camping area provides the perfect spot for a sausage sizzle by the pretty riverbank.
You’re never really alone either - the forest echoes with wildlife curious enough to join your exploration of deep gullies and old forests that scratch their way through the terrain; frogs, rock wallabies, owls and koalas all add to this diverse forest experience.
The park includes important uses by past communities; scattered artefacts map the ridgelines as traditional travelling routes of local Aboriginal people. Evidence also remains of the bygones of gold and timber industries.
For those keen and prepared, Chaelundi National Park offers unforgettable experiences.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://uat.nswparks.cloud/visit-a-park/parks/chaelundi-national-park/local-alerts
Contact
- in the North Coast region
Non-wilderness parts of Chaelundi National Park are always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Coffs Harbour office
02 6652 0900
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. - 4/32 Edgar St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
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Email: npws.coffscoast@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Coffs Harbour office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Chaelundi National Park.
Map
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Nearby towns
South Grafton (59 km)
The Clarence is one of Australia's largest waterways and offers a host of water adventures to suit all styles. Choose from high-adrenalin whitewater rafting, to canoeing and kayaking, or a river cruise.
Grafton (61 km)
Grafton is a gracious, historic city in the Clarence Valley farming district. It's situated on the broad Clarence River and surrounded by river flats.
Dorrigo (85 km)
Dorrigo is a serene country town and the gateway to Dorrigo National Park. Its close to the edge of the escarpment above the Bellingen Valley.
Learn more
Chaelundi National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
Waiting just for you
Fire trails twist and turn through scenery for mountain bikers to zip through, offering spectacular views to the river below. Crisp, fresh scents moisten the air on approaching a waterfall or creek. You can relax here with a cooling dip before heading to sizzle your sausages by the riverbank campsite. Car touring on forest roads outside the wilderness zone are ready for exploration by 4WD.
Mountain of gold
By 1872, there were over 500 people living in Dalmorton, working numerous gold reefs in the area. Evidence of this gold-mining history includes vertical and horizontal mine shafts of several abandoned gold mines. Mining finally ceased in the 1930s. There is also a long history of timber harvesting within the Chandlers Creek basin extending back to the late 1800s, with cedar-getting followed by logging of hoop pine up until 1930. Small shelters can still be found dotted along the landscape as remnants of the industry.
Living and thriving
The diverse forest environments and substantial old-growth sections make the Chaelundi National Park areas ecologically unique. The park harbours around 18 threatened animal species, including the rock wallaby, stuttering frog and regent honeyeater.
Ancient pathways
Chaelundi National Park lies within the territory of the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people. Many of the ridgelines within the park are considered to be of high cultural significance to local Aboriginal people as traditional travelling routes. Survey work of the Aboriginal cultural sites within the park has recorded scarred trees, a stone tool quarry and numerous open campsites and artefact scatters.
Education resources (1)
What we're doing
Chaelundi National Park has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. View the detailed park and fire management documents.