The Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and Skywalk has easy access to an amazing above-the-trees rainforest walk. The boardwalk is 70m up and provides spectacular views. You can also meander along the rainforest floor to waterfalls cascading over an escarpment. As Natalie Gruzlewski found, it's the place to learn secrets of the ancient world, the rainforest and threatened species.
It's home to more than 250 species of native plants, many native birds — including lyrebirds, bowerbirds and pitas — and other wildlife. There are a number of special walks available including "Walk with the Birds" starting near the Glade picnic area.
The Rainforest Centre has an interpretive display, Canopy Cafe and a nature-themed gift shop. It has easy access to the Skywalk and walking trails, and there are picnic and barbecue area.
Dorrigo National Park was included on the World Heritage list in 1986 and is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. It is a place of ancient buttressed figs, giant tallow woods and Australian cedars of natural beauty and significant habitats. It was once heavily logged for its valuable cedar.
Its 11,732 hectares spread across the Great Escarpment of the Dorrigo Plateau which climbs 1500m. It has breathtaking views of the Bellinger Valley and the Coffs Coast.
The area was originally inhabited by the Gumbaynggir Aboriginal people, who travelled between the plateau and the coast. In the 20th century it was settled extensively by dairy farms, and today Dorrigo is a service centre for surrounding farmers and graziers.
The town has undergone transformation and as well as natural beauty has a good choice of cafes, boutiques, galleries and food stores. It also has craft shops and has an eclectic mix of visual and performing arts.
