Five easy NSW national parks walks with kids

The Northern Rivers of NSW is stunningly beautiful – verdant, green, and home to a plethora of native animals and plants – many of them endangered. Victoria Park Nature Reserve preserves and protects an important remnant of lush sub-tropical rainforest. Comfortably meander through this dreamscape on the Victoria Park boardwalk. It’s an easy-going 400m loop so you won’t break a sweat. The boardwalk and picnic area are wheelchair and pram accessible – good news for everyone.

Did you know? The region was once home to the ‘big scrub’ – Australia’s largest low-lying rainforest spanning over 75,000 hectares. Sadly, due to aggressive land-clearing since the 1840’s (for prized woods such as cedar), only 300 hectares remain (preserved in national parks) – less than 1% of the original area.

Port Macquarie a holiday favourite. It is home to the beautiful Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk. Starting at the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, visitors can access the 1.3km, flat and stair-free boardwalk loop. Breathe in the canopy – you’re right up in it at 7m above the ground. Kids will have fun spotting the scarlet robin, goannas, and – if they’re lucky – the diamond python! All facilities are completely wheelchair and pram accessible.

About halfway between Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay, then inland an hour is Gibraltar Range National Park. Here you’ll find the Lyrebird Falls walking track. Park at the Boundary Falls picnic area and make your way through the ancient Gondwana forest on the mostly flat, 2km track (with occasional steps). The scenic lookout at the end of the track serves up cascading views of gorgeous waterfalls over Boundary Creek.

Heard something strange? If you’re lucky, it might be the shy lyrebird up to some tricks…

The Welcome walk is in the Ash Island precinct of Hunter Wetlands National Park. You can park at the info shelters where the walk begins. From here it’s an easy, flat (with occasional steps), 1km, one-way boardwalk trip above the saltwater wetlands of the Hunter River estuary. The area is a rich haven for animal life – both above and below the water. Over 200 bird species live here, 45 of them migrating internationally each year. Below your feet: fish nurseries, crabs and sea celery! All the wonders of the mangrove saltmarsh – kids love it.

On your next trip down South, head to Budderoo National Park and the lush and enchanting 1.6km Lyrebird loop walk. It’s easy going with a few short, steep hills and occasional steps. Skip over suspension bridges enveloped in green. Pause at the elevated viewing platforms – you’ll see strangler figs strangling, colourful orchids and huge birds nest ferns. Spot king parrots, lyrebirds and eastern water dragons. This is an Avatar adventure! Start out at the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre where parking is available.