NEW MULTI-DAY RAINFOREST HIKE OPENS IN NSW
08 May 2025
Stretching through the Tweed Byron Hinterland, the Gidjuum Gulganyi walk has been developed in close partnership with the Widjabul Wia-bal and Minjungbal peoples. The 4-day, 3-night hike features three designated campsites each with 11 elevated timber camping platforms, shelters, toilets and rainwater tanks.
Set on the ancestral lands of the Widjabul Wia-bal and Minjungbal people of the Bundjalung Nation, the 42km trail is made up of mostly grade 4 tracks, linking Mount Jerusalem National Park, Whian Whian State Conservation Area and Nightcap National Park.
It’s an adventurous hike that’s best suited to experienced walkers. Be prepared to traverse the rim of an ancient volcano; take in spectacular, sweeping views from high ridge lookouts; explore Gondwanan rainforest teeming with life; and dip your toes in cool, fresh waterholes.
Ease into the trail from the Manns Road track head with a stroll through eucalypt forest dominated by ironbark, tallowwood and grey gum, before descending into sub-tropical rainforest containing outcrops of Bangalow palms along Whiskey Creek. With the tinkling flow of water as your companion, you’ll follow the creek line – crossing the creek at times – until you reach the next section, an old logging trail that takes you through to Middle Ridge trail. Bridges and infrastructure make the journey much easier.
Nestled into private nooks within the rainforest landscape, you’ll find a series of comfortable sleeping platforms at Sand Ridge, each equipped with hooks and chains to make setting up your tent for the night a breeze. Rainwater tanks have been installed to help quench thirst.
On day 2, you’ll climb 400m to the western end of Koonyum Range. Stairs and switchbacks make the uphill slog a little easier. From Grasstree lookout, you’ll continue the ascent, skirting around the eastern side of Mount Jerusalem. Then, south of the mountain, you’ll descend through warm temperate rainforest and re-emerge into the eucalypts before reaching Tweed Valley lookout, revealing panoramic views across Commissioners Creek Valley with the ever-present Wollumbin in the distance. There are four more lookouts before you reach your camp for the night, including one with spectacular views to the north over Mount Tarrawyra.
On day 3, leave Yelgun Kyoomgun campground and descend down the spacious Gibbergunyah trail until you come to the Four Ways intersection. From here, the path becomes a single track, winding through dense eucalypt forest which eventually joins Peates Mountain track on the western side of Peates Mountain Road. Weeun Weeun is the final campground, facilitated with shelters, tables and chairs, yarning circles and lookouts.
Toilets are dotted along the track, as well as bridges, pathways and lookout platforms to help guide visitors.
