Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails

New ways to experience nature in the north.

Doughboy and Wollumbin caldera, Wollumbin National ParkThe Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails project will deliver new nature-based tourism experiences for visitors to the popular Northern Rivers hinterland.

The project includes a new multi-day walk from Mount Jerusalem National Park to Nightcap National Park. This signature 4-day walk will be purpose-built to provide walkers with an immersive rainforest experience through the remnant caldera of an ancient shield volcano, concluding at the spectacular Minyon Falls lookout.

What the project involves

The Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk (formerly referred to as the Tweed Byron Hinterland Walk) is a new 39-kilometre multi-day walk and the centrepiece of the Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails project. Starting near the town of Uki in Mount Jerusalem National Park, the walk will conclude at Minyon Falls lookout in the Nightcap National Park.

The Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk will wind through some of the region's most spectacular rainforest and feature 3 new campgrounds with toilets, shelters and camping platforms. A new trail head has also been developed near Unicorn Falls in Mount Jerusalem National Park. As well as functioning as the trail head for the multi-day walk, visitors will also be able to enjoy shorter half-day and day walks, including to Unicorn Falls. A half-day walk will also be available from Rummery Park in Nightcap National Park.

A minimal impact approach, using existing trails and allowing the natural elements to determine the route, will reduce the need for extensive trail construction. The walk will be able to be undertaken as self-guided or through commercial tour operators offering various levels of assistance to individuals or groups, with the National Parks and Wildlife Service fostering these partnership opportunities.

The Minyon Falls visitor precinct has also undergone a major upgrade, with a stunning new lookout overlooking the clifftop waterfall and a revitalised picnic area. These spaces are wheelchair-friendly and provide better access and amenity for the many day visitors from the coast who visit this beautiful waterfall.

Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk is due for completion in early 2025. Works at Minyon Falls and Unicorn Falls are already complete.

This project will boost the local economy by extending visitor stays and providing greater opportunities for visitors to explore the Northern Rivers region outside tourist hotspots such as Byron Bay.

We are consulting with Aboriginal communities and developing partnerships to highlight the area's rich cultural heritage, including opportunities for Aboriginal-guided experiences.

Our national parks are managed to protect their unique values and provide for sustainable visitor use and enjoyment. This includes providing visitor experiences and, where appropriate, new visitor facilities including walking tracks.

NPWS has commissioned independent environmental and cultural heritage assessments to identify the significance of likely impacts of the proposal and measures required to mitigate these impacts. This highlights the need to ensure public visitation and enjoyment is compatible with the protection of conservation and heritage values.

Further stringent environmental, cultural heritage and cost-benefit assessments, involving our staff, key stakeholders and other experts, will ensure the project meets environmental, cultural and economic aspirations.

Interpretation through innovative storytelling is one of the most effective ways to achieve an 'experience of a lifetime' for visitors. Developing rich and engaging interpretation, including opportunities for local Aboriginal guided experiences, will be a key focus to immerse the walker in the natural and cultural landscape, creating a strong connection and sense of place.

Effective community and stakeholder engagement are critical to the success of this project. We will engage with stakeholders and interested community members in a meaningful and timely way. Positive and ongoing consultation with Aboriginal custodians aims to ensure the proposal is in keeping with Aboriginal interests and aspirations.

Those interested in the project are invited to register their interest to receive regular updates.

Two hikers holding their backpack straps in the dappled rainforest light

Update September 2024

Major components of the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk are now complete, which has allowed NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to open some sections of the walking track and 2 of the remote camps. Construction of ‘Day 2’, the most challenging section of the walk, continues with completion expected in early 2025.

  • 22 Sep 2024
Read more
Doughboy and Wollumbin caldera, Wollumbin National Park

Update April 2024

Work is progressing on the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, with the naming of new visitor facilities, construction starting on the most challenging section, and a forthcoming intake of expressions of interest for tourism operators in early May.

  • 26 Apr 2024
Read more
Birds Nest fern (Asplenium nidus), Nightcap National Park. Biogeographical area of the Nightcap and Kooynum Ranges

Gidjuum Gulganyi walk master plan

This master plan for the new multi-day walk was finalised after public feedback on the Tweed Byron Hinterland Walk draft master plan. The walk traverses the traditional lands of the Widjabul Wia-bal and Minjungbal people of the Bundjalung Nation.

  • 13 Sep 2023
Read more
Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)

Update: June 2023

A summary of public feedback received during the exhibition period for the Tweed Byron Hinterland Walk draft master plan is now available. This multi-day walk now also has a new name.

  • 12 Jul 2023
Read more
The proposed Tweed Byron Hinterland Walk (working title only) provides outstanding views of the Tweed Caldera of the Wollumbin/Mount Warning shield volcano.Wollumbin from Doon

Updates: December 2021

Project stakeholder update.

  • 18 Dec 2021
Read more
Nightcap oak (Eidothea hardeniana)

Updates: February 2020

Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails is a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service project to create high quality nature-based visitor experiences focusing on a signature walk from Unicorn Falls, near the village of Uki, to Minyon Falls in the far north New South Wales hinterland. The project will also see new sustainable visitor infrastructure at Minyon Falls, Unicorn Falls and Wollumbin.

  • 20 Feb 2020
Read more

To register your interest in this project please complete and submit the form.

Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails – Register of interest





Contact Information

The information you provide in this form will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected. By submitting, you consent to storage, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. You can request access and amendment of your personal information.