Tooloom Falls -Urbenville
UPDATE January 2022
Closed parks: Bandahngan Aboriginal Area at Tooloom Falls is currently closed till further notice for camping. Day visitors are welcome, but must leave their car near the closed/locked gates into the reserve, but can walk in for a picnic, enjoy a walk or view the falls.
Bandahngan Aboriginal Area known as Tooloom Falls is currently closed to all camping visitors. The closure follows concerns raised by the Githabul Aboriginal Community about the site. The impacts of camping, along with previous weather events forced the closure to allow NPWS to deal with the hazardous trees and work with the Githabul Community on planning for future development and uses of the area. Ongoing Planning is continuing with the many Govt Depts involved, and hopefully will be able to reopen about mid 2022. But there will be vast reduced camping sites, and bookings will have to be made on line, for fee payment. We will try and keep things updated as we hear.
Apologies for any inconvenience.
Other campground areas are available in nearby Urbenville and Woodenbong villages, and at Koreelah and Richmond Range National Park.
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Contact national parks on 0266320000 for further info.
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A great place to visit or go camping (free) is Tooloom Falls which is a bushland picnic area and only a short drive Urbenville. If it is peace and quiet that you want then this is the place to go. This is a basic bush camping spot with no facilities except for a composting toilet, which is well maintained, along with some basic BBQ facilities. You must bring your own drinking water. Travel about 3kms SW from Urbenville, turn onto Tooloom Creek Road and continue down the 1km dirt access road. This is a very significant place for the Githabul people. Swimming is possible on the high side of the falls, although some go down on the low side of the falls to swim. The river can be muddy after rain and caution is advised. There are various fireplaces on site and the grounds are clean and tidy. Though this particular area is outside of the National park, it is still under the care of the National Parks and therefore dogs are not allowed.
The beautiful Tooloom Falls (10 m high, 60 m wide) have water flowing over them at most times of the year. The word Tooloom is corrupted from the Gidabal word Doolloomi, which means headlice, and it is said that these are found around the deep, potentially dangerous pool beneath the falls (but don’t let that put you off!). In the gentle way that Aboriginals have with their children this was told to them to deter them from swimming there. It is also believed spirits live in the pool making Tooloom Falls one of the most significant sites in Gidibal country. It was declared an aboriginal place in 1977 under the National Park’s and Wildlife Act.
Price Range
FREE