Studded with volcanic outcroppings, Coorabakh National Park offers scenic views as well as hiking, picnicking and birdwatching opportunities.
Millions of years ago, volcanoes sculpted parts of the Australian mainland, leaving rocky plugs and dramatic escarpments as they faded and disappeared. Three of these volcanic intrusions can be seen in Coorabakh National Park, dominating the area: Big Nellie, Flat Nellie and Little Nellie.
Wander amongst giant Blackbutt forest over the shaded boardwalks of the Starrs Creek sub tropical rainforest. Amble down along a fresh creek to Newbys Cave and if the day is warm you simply have to take yourself for a dip in the ever cool Waitui Falls.
Tucked away in the middle of the forest on the border of the Coorabakh National Park, Waitui Falls is a delightful place for a picnic. It’s not a big waterfall but the waters provide a nice place for a swim. The pathway to the falls is short but it’s easy to miss the roadside marker which makes this waterfall seem even more elusive.
The Park contains a stunning and varied world of low shrubs and lofty eucalypt trees, cool subtropical rainforests and sheltered gullies teeming with wildlife. There are 18 distinct forest ecosystems. Crystal clear streams run through mossy banks, and sheer sandstone cliffs tower above Manning Valley at Flat Rock and Newbys lookout.
Visitors to Coorabakh National Park will find beautiful lookouts and secluded picnic spots, with easy walks, scenic caves, and pleasurable drives along back roads that seem a million miles from the nearest sign of civilisation. Whether you’re looking for a place to settle down for a lazy lunch, a glimpse of ancient geology mixed with recent history, or a clear view to find your bearings in a vast landscape, Coorabakh is a great choice for the slower-paced traveller.