Where

Coorabakh National Park in North Coast

Distance

0.1km return

Time suggested

10 - 20min

Grade

Grade 5

Opening times

Newbys Creek walk and cave is always open but may have to close at times due to flood events, poor weather or fire danger. The walk can become impassable after heavy rains.

Please note

• It’s a good idea to put sunscreen on before you set out and remember to take a hat.
• Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
• There is limited/no mobile reception in this park.
• This park is in a remote location, so please ensure you’re well-prepared, bring appropriate clothing and equipment and advise a family member or friend of your travel plans.

A good introduction to the cool solitude of the Coorabakh rainforest can be found at the elevated boardwalk near Starrs Creek picnic area, but for something slightly more adventurous, consider the short walk along Newbys Creek to a natural cave.

Stuttering frogs hide among the lush ferns that border this crystal clear stream. Take off your shoes and shuffle along a creek bed that threads through dense subtropical foliage and moss-covered rocks. Newbys cave is just five minutes from the road, but feels kilometres away. The cave is a large overhanging rock formation that creates a natural shelter above the water.

Rest in the shade and try to spot some of the native wildlife, or retrace your steps and head to the nearby Newbys lookout. The walk along the creek is relatively easy, though the track is unformed and the cave may be inaccessible after heavy rainfalls, when water swells, so be sure to check recent weather before setting out.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Visitor info

Maps and downloads

Learn more

A legacy of timber harvesting

Before it was a national park, Coorabakh had a long history of forestry operations. This was once a centre of intensive logging - particularly during the World Wars - and visitors can still find physical remnants of the industry. One evocative site is the Langley Vale tramway, which was originally used to transport timber 21km from Old North Camp to Langley Vale, first by horse and later by steam engine. The line was abandoned in the 1940s, but relics still remain: timber bridges, elevated platforms, offcuts left to moulder in the forest, reclaimed by nature.

Eighteen forest ecosystems

The astonishing variety of forest ecosystems in Coorabakh vary from wet foothills covered in blackbutts to subtropical rainforest. This makes a visit a fascinating experience as you range from high lookouts over eucalyptus canopies to cool mossy creekbeds.

Home to rare native species

The park is important at a regional level for a number of rare and significant plant species. There are also several species of threatened animal, including the spotted-tailed quoll, yellow-bellied glider, powerful owl and stuttering frog. Don’t forget your camera.

The Aboriginal connection

Before Europeans arrived, the area was the traditional domain of the Ngaamba People. Research suggests that they once used the dramatic cliff lines and distinctive volcanic formations to navigate the region. They may also have been important for cultural practices, sites of sacred ceremonies and other social gatherings.