Experience the dense rainforest with Antarctic beech trees, moss, fungi and ferns and take time to admire the pristine Five Days Creek.
Cascades Walking Trail.
Cascades Trail descends the valley, just below
Wrights Lookout. It follows Five Days Creek, a beautiful and pristine stream in the rainforest.
The trail itself is about 3km loop, adding the length of Robinsons Knob is about a total of 5.7km return. Allow about 3 hours or more, depending on the time spent admiring the forest and the bubbling creek. The national park classifies the trail as Grade 4 due to the steepness, the very slippery sections especially when wet and the scrambling over rocks.
Walk the trail in an anti-clock direction starting at the intersection at the end of Robinsons Knob where all the other trails depart too, such as Wright Lookout, New England Wilderness Trail and Lyrebird. Return to the steep slope and turn at the intersection on Robinsons Knob.
The trail descends into a dream like valley with ferns, moss and rainforest trees.
Cascade Trail is accessible via Robinsons Knob which departs from Thungutti campground. It is also possible to reach Cascades Trail from the northern trails of the national park starting at Point Lookout and Banksia Point via Lyrebird Trail.
The intersection at the end of Robinsons Knob, the starting point for Cascades, Wrights Lookout, Lyrebird Trails and New England Wilderness Trail.
Cascades Trail descends in the valley through ferns and rainforest trees. There is only a footpad to follow and here and there there are a few pink ribbons. The trail is easy to follow but there aren't wooden planks or many steps, even in the difficult sections.
The footpad of the trail is very visible.
Especially after rain, the trail is muddy and slippery, making it difficult to descend the steep sections.
The trail descends into the valley.
After the rain the trail is muddy and slippery.
Once you arrive in the valley, you can see the Five Day Creek with its crystal clear and pure water babbling away forming small waterfalls along its way.
It is an amazing area the creek running in the Gondwana Rainforest.
Waterfall formed by Five Days Creek.
Down the valley, there is a directional post to help with directions. Make sure to stay on the trail.
Directional sign on Cascades Trail.
From the valley then the trail starts to ascend. There are some steps on a section to help hike the trail. For a little while the track follows the course of the creek, between ferns and mosses.
The trail along the creek.
Trees, rocks and vegetation are covered in a bright green moss which is part of the ecosystem helping to preserve water and maintain a humid environment important for the forest.
Fungi and moss on an old log. Dead logs are important in the forest as a source of food for many organisms.
Fungi are easy to find in the rainforest due to the high level of moisture. The sun doesn't enter through the thick canopy of the trees and fungi thrive in dim light and humid environments.
Fungi prefer dim and moisty niches.
Orchids have stunning flowers and generally bloom in spring. Many orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants. They attached themselves to their roots, but they take nutrients from the air and the rain.
Along the trail we come across a tree, probably an antarctic beech -
Nothofagus moorei - which presented a big bunch of
Dendrobium falcorostrum is commonly known by the name of beech orchid.
When in bloom, the beech orchid produces many beautiful exquisite flowers. The beech orchid grows generally at high altitudes, in humid and cool areas. It survives in places that can turn very cold and even snowy in winter.
Dendrobium falcorostrum, commonly known as the beech orchid.
Long time before the dinosaurs, in a time when there was only one giant continent called Gondwana, the land was covered in rainforests.
Some of the Gondwana Rainforests survived until today with flora and fauna very similar to their ancestors found in fossils.
Ferns are amongst the oldest plants on the planet and they provide the link to the origin of the flowering plants over 100 million years ago.
Ferns are very common in the understory of the forest.
Wear long trousers and shirt with long sleeves, very recommended hiking ankle supportive boots.
For a day hike a backpack should be a 20-25 litres capacity. Only carry with you essential gear, your backpack should be as light as possible. Bring lots of water especially if it's a hot day, 1.5 litres and snacks.
First Aid Kit must be packed: you can buy one or make one yourself with all the essential items. Pack specific bandages for snakebites elasticised roller bandages that are 10-15cm wide, painkillers, band aids, disinfectants, tweezers, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, Bushman Cream insects repellent, scissors; dressing and blister pack; hydrolytes; tissues; chapstick.
Smart phone and power bank can be a great help when hiking. Phone can be used to dial emergency numbers, download apps useful for hiking. The power bank is useful when your phone runs out of energy.
Raincoat is good just in case of a shower, it can be worn as a windbreaker or for extra warmth.
Gloves are good when scrambling and for extra protection.
Insect repellent, give preference to cream or roll on that are more environmentally friendly than the spray.
Getting to Thungutti Campground.
From Coffs Harbour drive south on the Pacific Hwy then turn right onto the Waterfall Way. Turn left onto Point Lookout Road and the then turn left onto
Thungutti camping track.
Reference.
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/new-england-national-park
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchid
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrobium_falcorostrum
More articles by the Author.
New England National Park - What to Do and Where to Stay
Lyrebird and Eagles Nest Hiking Trails in New England National Park.
Thungutti Campground in New England National Park
Wrights Lookout Walking Trail - New England National Park
Discovering Ebor and its Stunning Surroundings
Cathedral Rock Hiking and Camping
Wonga Trail in Dorrigo National Park
