Nightcap National Park is located in northern New South Wales, approximately 100 kms from the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta. Nestled on the southern edge of the Mt Warning/Wollumbin Caldera, the park is home to some great features including Protesters and Minyon Falls and Terania Creek.
Cascades on Terania Creek, below Protestors Falls
Access is either via Mullimbimby or Nimbin. The road via Mullimbimby is slightly quicker as it includes approximately half highway driving, but why not make the drive part of the destination and enjoy the wonderful scenery offered by this beautiful area by doing a loop and going both routes?
Although be warned - both routes are well maintained but are narrow country roads that wind through the mountains and include some unsealed sections, and so require additional care and time. The road into Protesters Falls/Terania Creek is particularly rough and slippery after rain.
Protesters Falls is a relatively easy walk - mostly flat with a couple of steep sections, through rain forest alongside Terania Creek. There are a series of cascades on the walk to the falls, well worth it just to sit and listen to the sound of the water on its journey.
It is however classified as a grade 3 walk by DECC as it is uneven and crosses very slippery rocks (one of us still has the scars to vouch for this!!), though the view at the end is well worth it!
Protestors Falls
There are basic rest area facilities (including very clean BBQ's) so take some supplies and meet the locals.
Meeting the locals
Further around towards Mullimbimby is Minyon falls. There are a number of vantage points to view Minyon Falls from above, but at 4 hours for the round trip (depending on starting point), the trek to the base is more suited to seasoned walkers and those with plenty of time on their hands.
Other Attractions
Apart from other attractions within the park, there are many small towns to explore.
The Channon Markets held on the second sunday each month, are a "make it, bake it, grow it" style country market with stalls full of food, clothing, jewellry and gifts as well as colourful characters and are well worth a visit.
The
The Crystal Castle located approx 7 minutes from Mullimbimby is also well worth a visit - amazing crystals, a Buddha walk, a rainforest walk, jewellry, great food and plenty of places just to chill out.
