Nightcap National Park

Nightcap National Park is located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia, approximately 35 kilometers northwest of Lismore and 85 kilometers south of the Queensland border. The park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, known for its ancient rainforest and rich biodiversity. The park was established in 1983 to protect the subtropical rainforests that survived from the Gondwana era. Nightcap National Park also played a role in the environmental movement of the 1970s when protests to prevent logging in the nearby Terania Creek rainforest helped spark broader conservation efforts in Australia. Parking facilities are available at key locations, such as Minyon Falls, Rummery Park campground, and the Terania Creek picnic area. There are no entry fees for the park, though camping areas, like Rummery Park, may require a small fee for overnight stays. Visitors should be mindful of park rules, including taking all rubbish with them and staying on designated trails. Nightcap National Park is home to diverse wildlife, including the rare Albert’s lyrebird, which mimics natural and man-made sounds. Other notable species include the red-legged pademelon, long-nosed bandicoot, and a variety of reptiles such as the lace monitor. The park’s rich birdlife includes parrots, owls, and the endangered Coxen’s fig-parrot. The flora of Nightcap National Park is dominated by dense rainforest species, including giant strangler figs, black booyong, and bangalow palms. The park’s ancient Antarctic beech trees and rich understory of ferns and mosses create a lush, vibrant environment. Notable landmarks include the stunning Minyon Falls, which plunges 100 meters into a gorge, and Protesters Falls, named after the environmental protests that helped preserve the area. Public transport to the park is limited, so most visitors arrive by private vehicle. Nearby towns such as Lismore and Mullumbimby offer services, and local tour operators provide guided trips into the park.