Orara Escarpment 4WD Touring Route - NSW

Orara Escarpment 4WD touring route is a great day trip for the whole family. The 80km round-trip from Coffs Harbour travels through remote eucalypt forests and subtropical rainforests, with plenty of picnic and swimming spots along the way.

Climb over 600m as you make your way up the Orara Escarpment, then drive through rainforest and eucalypt forest to the spectacular Bangalore Falls. Walking out to Bangalore Falls, you might notice the large stumps standing as reminders of the parks former days of logging. Known as the 'cedar getters', the first Europeans arrived in this region in the mid-1800s. However, logging did not start until 1863. By 1880, concerns that Orara Valley would be cleared called for the declaration of Forest Reserve No 642, which later became Orara West State Forest in 1917.

Stop for a picnic here, or continue through subtropical rainforest to Urumbilum picnic area. Make sure you take a short walk downstream to discover Urumbilum Falls.

Head back through tree ferns, hoop pine and cabbage tree palms on Range Road and see magnificent old-growth forest along Langleys Road. If you enjoy birdwatching, keep your eyes out for lyrebirds, bush turkeys and glossy black-cockatoos along the way.

Orara Escarpment 4WD touring route starts in the eastern precinct of Bindarri National Park.Parking is available along Orara Escarpment 4WD touring route. Head off on your mountain bike and explore the remote forest trails.

Gathering fire wood and pets are not allowed.

Bindarri National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger. The deep gorges, cascading waterfalls and lush forests of Bindarri National Park are the traditional lands of the Gumbaynggirr people. The park is named after the Gumbaynggirr word 'Bindarray', which means 'many creeks'. Many Aboriginal sites have been identified as places used by local Aboriginal people for camping, tool-making, ceremonies and dreaming stories.