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Lions Road Scenic Drive

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This full day drive takes you through scenic and culturally significant areas of NSW, offering segments of the Border Rangers National Park’s lush tropical rainforest, cultural icons such as the Border Loop Railway and the magnificent Mount Lindesay. Food, fuel, and toilets are available on the drive.

Duration: Full day from Kyogle

Highlights include:

  • Village of Wiangaree
  • Border Ranges World Heritage Rainforest
  • Border Loop Railway Lookout
  • Old timber town of Grevillia

From Kyogle: Journey north following the Summerland way towards Wiangaree. As you cross the Railway Bridge, the rich alluvial river flats on your left were part of one of the district’s first squatting runs, ‘Wiangaree Station’ (circa 1840). In the quiet, friendly village of Wiangaree relics of the past can be found in the local General Store and enjoy the staghorns and hundreds of orchids in their rainforest nursery. Continue for 6km north of Wiangaree crossing Jenny Constable Bridge over the Richmond River until you come to a sign The Lions Road to Brisbane. Turn right into this breathtaking drive exposing you to the Border Ranges World Heritage Rainforest, over the McPherson Range and into Queensland.

This community project initiated by the Kyogle Lions Club provides visitors easy access to breathtaking views, spectacular scenery and the historically significant Border Loop Railway Lookout. Initially road authorities rejected the suggestion of a 30-kilometre shorter route to Brisbane, so the Kyogle and Beaudesert Lions Clubs joined forces to construct this now popular tourist route. Pass Simes Road, a link with the World Heritage Listed Border Ranges National Park is on your right. There are good walking tracks in the park, which covers more than 31,000 hectares of forest. Early pioneers sought cedar and hoop pine and local creeks were used to move logs. Breathtaking views of the rainforest that greet the traveler at every corner make up the Border Ranges NP. Caution is advised when driving in this area because of its winding nature and wildlife crossing the road. Keep an ear out for the beautiful song of the bellbird.

Turn left to the Border Loop Railway Lookout, which has amenities and picnic facilities and is an ideal area for a break and a must for train buffs. Completed in 1930, this is possibly Australia’s most significant railway engineering feat. The project employed 1500 men to construct a series of tunnels and spiral loop through the McPherson Range. Construction began in Kyogle in 1926 and linked Eastern Australia with the first ‘same gauge’ rail line interstate upon completion. As the name suggests, one tunnel is built through the NSW/QLD border.

Return to the Lions Road and continue the drive into Queensland and count the times you cross Running Creek during the downward drive. At Rathdowney, you turn left onto the Summerland Way. Mount Lindesay dominates the skyline as you drive westwards. Bellbird and whipbird songs follow as you continue along this road, which changes its name to Mount Lindesay Highway just before you get to Woodenbong, where you can refuel, find food, or picnic at this important inland centre.

As you retrace your drive along Mount Lindesay Highway, note the new tree plantations on both sides of the road as you leave Woodenbong. Turn right onto the Summerland Way, which continues through forest and farmland. The old timber town of Grevillia was named by the early settlers because of the many silky oak trees, Grevillia robusta, in the vicinity. Stop at the General Store for information about the old days. At one time, three sawmills operated in the town, but all have now closed. Old Grevillia offers an opportunity to look inside a unique remnant of riverine rainforest. Take the Findon Creek Road turn off on your left for Moore Park Nature Reserve, home to colonies of Grey Headed Flying Fox. Its dark interior gives an insight into the type of forest that existed prior to European settlement.

Leaving Old Grevillia, return to Kyogle via the Summerland Way after experiencing some of the finest scenery to be found anywhere in Australia.

 

 

Border Ranges and Tweed Range Scenic Drive

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This full day drive takes you through some of the most scenic country in Northern New South Wales. The route offers out-standing views of the lush tropical rainforest and the magnificent Mount Warning Caldera. Food, fuel and toilets are available on the drive.

Duration: Full day from Kyogle

Highlights include:

    • Mount Warning
    • Tweed Valley Lookout
    • Collins Creek Waterfall
    • Cawongla General Store

From Kyogle: Journey north and follow Summerland Way to Wiangaree. Here you turn right into Lynches Creek Road, observing the signs to the Border Ranges National Park. The route takes you through breathtaking country and to the location of Lynches Creek, an early pioneer settlement. Caution is advised while traversing this part of the trip.

Through Lynches Creek, take Forest Road on your left, passing Simes Road on your left. Forest Road takes you to the entrance of the Border Ranges NP where NPWS fees apply. Shortly after entering the park, you will see Sheepstation Creek Camping Area on your left. Further along the road, you will come to Forest Tops Camping Area, and walking tracks connect these two camping areas.

At the next intersection, turn left for Brindle Creek Picnic Area. Walking tracks beside the creek will give you a wonderful insight into this magnificent rainforest. Following the road, you will later come to the Antarctic Beech Picnic Area with great views looking towards Lamington National Park. Walking tracks will take you to the ancient beech trees, some over 2,000 years old.

Tweed Valley Lookout is next. Here you get your first sight of Mount Warning (Wollumbin, the mountain’s Aboriginal name), and looking to your right, you will see the Pinnacle jutting out from the cliffs of the caldera. Another few kilometres you will find the Pinnacle Walk on your left-hand side. A short walk through the rainforest will bring you to this magnificent feature, which is a part of the rim of the Mount Warning caldera. Mount Warning (Wollumbin) is the central plug of this now-extinct volcano, which was active some 20 million years ago.

Continue along the road, and on your left-hand side, you come to the Blackbutt Lookout and Picnic Area, which gives magnificent views of Mount Warning (Wollumbin) and Tweed Valley. Picnic here beside the old blackbutt trees while you enjoy the view. As the road continues, watch on the right-hand side for a glimpse of Collins Creek Waterfall, another wonderful sight that is part of the park mosaic.

Bar Mountain Picnic Area is the highest point of the caldera and is surrounded by temperate rainforest trees. There are more walking tracks from this point. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has identified 170 species of birds living in the rainforest, as well as many animals, so care should be taken while driving as they might cross your path. Caution should be used as you leave the park, as the road descends rapidly and at times traverses a ridge giving stunning views on both sides of the road and a further insight into the grandeur of this national park.

As the road descends from the park, you will come to Williams Road. Turn right on Williams Road to travel to Hanging Rock Falls on the route or you can alternatively turn left at Link Road, which takes you past the Wadeville Store Border Ranges Centre to Kyogle Road. Turning right will take you to Cawongla General Store, delight in its old-fashioned charm and enquire about local arts and crafts. Your tour ends back in Kyogle, having enjoyed the most exciting world heritage listed national park in Australia.

Up to date information on park facilities, closures, payment for park passes and bookings of camping facilities are available via the National Parks and Wildlife Service App.

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/app

The NSW National Parks app is free to download on iOS and Android and offers an alternative to the traditional park brochure or map.

Download information on selected parks when you’re at home, then you can access park maps, guides and important info when you’re in a national park and may not have internet access or mobile reception.

  • Download a park before you go, then navigational GPS functionality allows you to view information and maps even without internet access.
  • Use the map to locate parks, trails, things to do and places to stay.

You’re never out of range with the NSW National Parks app.

 

 

 

Aboody Park – Wiangaree

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A perfect place to take a break this park is adjacent to the historical Wiangaree General Store and has toilets, a sun shade, a children’s playground, seats and tables, BBQ and nearby car parking. It is situated alongside the Summerland Way at the turnoff for the World Heritage Listed Border Ranges National Park. Have a picnic or pick up something from the store after gazing at the local memorabilia inside.

The park is named after a local identity Chappy Aboody who used to own the General Store.

Ripples On The Creek

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Indulge in superb country hospitality at Ripples On The Creek. An idyllic retreat where you can simply relax, breathe in the fresh air, and savour the sights and sounds of nature’s ambience. Set at the foothills of the Border Ranges National Park, Ripples On The Creek is just 2 hours south of Brisbane and 20 minutes north of the local township of Kyogle.

KYOGLE AND VILLAGES

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CONTACT US

Kyogle Visitor Information Centre
Cnr Summerland Way & Anzac Drive
Kyogle, NSW, 2474 AUSTRALIA
Phone 02 6632 2700
ABN 15 726 771 237
visitkyogle@kyogle.nsw.gov.au

Kyogle Council acknowledges the Gullibul, Githabul, Wahlubal and Banjalang people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters within the Kyogle Local Government Area, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

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