Dorrigo Rainforest Walk with Kids
Tips for Visiting Dorrigo Rainforest with Your Family
Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is an hour’s drive from beachy Coffs Harbour, a half hour’s drive from trendy Bellingen, or only four minutes from Dorrigo. It’s a gorgeous winding uphill drive, with great views, but if your kids get carsick make sure you plan for that(!). Always check ahead that the roads there are open, Waterfall Way often closes after heavy rainfall.
We parked at the main carpark, where there is a picnic area, toilets and drinking water. There is also a café, shop and little information centre, a perfect spot for tourists! (Maybe pick up a map so you don’t spend the whole time trying to guess where you are on the long walk…) The biggest reason to park here is so you can walk out over the spectacular skywalk to see the views of the rainforest out to the coast. This was a wow factor for my son, who has always wanted to ‘go up the top of a mountain’.
Hiking Options for Families
You can choose to do a few different walks. There are two main ones that are suitable for kids (unless you’re an epic hiker family, in which case you probably wouldn’t be reading this). The Lyrebird Link Track is 0.8km, and goes to a picnic area (which you can also drive to if you have really little kids who refuse to walk back). The second Crystal Shower Falls Walk is 4.4km and goes to the gorgeous Crystal Shower Falls, where you can walk behind a waterfall. Instead of continuing on the path, you can just go straight back the way you came (and save yourself the extra 2.2km). Unfortunately we didn’t read the maps/signs properly and ended up doing the full 6.6km Wonga Track (sorry kids!). On the positive side, at least now we know.
There are two waterfalls on the Wonga Track. The first is the gorgeous Tristania Falls, which you view from a bridge, we didn’t spend as much time here as we could have because people behind us wanted photos without us blocking the view (fair enough). The second is Crystal Shower Falls, an appropriate name and incredibly gorgeous. If ever fairies were real, they would be living nearby. If you are going to go behind the waterfall, be aware that it is slippery and muddy. It is really very safe otherwise, you aren’t close to the edge and I felt very safe with our kids.
There aren’t really any maps down along the trail unless you come to a fork in the path. Us amateurs should have memorised what track we were doing so we could follow the signs correctly.
We did the track in about two hours, with six kids. My four-year-old walked the way there, but ended up getting a lift back on dad’s shoulders. I think we could have pushed him further but I was so proud he’d made it even that far. The walk is quite easy, but there are a few hills (in fact, most of the way back is uphill). (Don’t wear thongs/flip flops for any of the walks.) There are a few seats along the way for stopping to rest. My six-year-old (and the older kids) managed it easily and I think my four-year-old would have if he had some more snacks along the way. And when I say ‘easily’ I don’t mean they weren’t whinging, but just that they never got too tired and the track wasn’t difficult to walk on. Actually, the more difficult spots (like crossing over rocks, or big steps) were the easiest bits to get my four-year-old to participate. It’s the long easy walks that are more ‘boring’.
Our kids spotted lots of lizards and even a goanna. We only saw one leech, but we wore heaps of bug spray, thick shoes and socks, and tried not to sit down or stay in the damp areas too long. Definitely prepare for a couple leeches (there are even giant statues at the entrance because they are synonymous with Dorrigo Rainforest!). We had a small container with salt in the backpack, as it helps getting attached leeches off apparently.
There are no drinking water or toilet stops along the way. We all got through our water bottles and I wish we’d packed more snacks than I did (again, I didn’t expect it to take so long).
If you don’t think the kids are up for the full walk to both waterfalls, don’t worry about missing out. There is a much easier waterfall to get to just eight minutes up the road at Dangar Falls (I’m glad we did this after our two hour trek, or the walk would have felt a bit pointless). You could however still enjoy the smaller Lyrebird Link walk, have a picnic stop, and get to see the gorgeous rainforest. The first time we attempted this walk with a two and four year old, we didn’t even make it halfway because the kids were whinging too much, and sat down in the middle of the track and gave up. It was pretty hilarious now that I think about it. I’m glad we persisted and made the most of having other kids arounds. The other, older, kids definitely distracted ours and made the walk way easier for all of us.
I recommend Dorrigo as a picnic stop (or cafe, if you’d prefer). It’s a great destination in and of itself, but also an amazing stop on the road, especially if you love rainforests. The view at the Skywalk is worth the visit in and of itself. The walks are beautiful and you can turn back at any point (if the kids are done) and still have seen some incredible rainforest scenery.
Tips for the 6.6km Walk to the Waterfall with Kids
Make sure you know how far it is before you begin (whoops!)
Take a picture of the map so you don’t accidentally take the wrong route, and so you can track your progress
Pack some treats (lollipops were our kid’s favourite, I made a challenge of ‘who can last the longest’ which of course meant more time without whinging for us!)
Make the kids go to the toilet at the start, no matter what
Pack full water bottles
Have a few ideas for games along the way
Wear the right shoes (and pack bandaids or a change of shoes for those with sensitive feet)
Don’t go when the kids are tired (whoops again) or late in the day (the café was closed when we got back, so I’m lucky I hadn’t promised ice creams upon our return!)
Now Dorrigo is spectacular, but if you just want to visit a waterfall that takes 10 mins to get to, then you’ve got to visit the nearby Dangar Falls!
Related Articles
Visit the Woolgoolga Creek Falls with your Family
Visit Dangar Falls with Kids