Construction starts on 39km Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk in Tweed Byron hinterland

A new multimillion-dollar rainforest walking track in northern NSW has been given the green light and construction has kicked into gear. Find out more.

Minyon Falls.

Construction is underway on a new 39 kilometre multi-day walk between Unicorn Falls car park in Mount Jerusalem National Park to Minyon Falls in northern New South Wales.

The draft Tweed Byron Hinterland Trail master plan went on exhibition in late 2022 and is now moving forward with several revisions.

This signature four-day walk is set to provide hikers with an immersive rainforest experience through the remnant caldera of an ancient shield volcano, concluding at spectacular Minyon Falls lookout.

The Northern Rivers hinterland is among the most biologically diverse parts of Australia, protecting some of the last remaining refuges of the ancient Gondwanan rainforests.

Minyon Falls.

This $7.3 million project is part of the NSW government’s largest investment in national parks’ history.

The route includes 28.4km of existing walking tracks, park management trails and old logging trails, which will be upgraded to walking track standard, and 10.8km of new track.

Several shorter walks are proposed to run through Nightcap National Park, Whian Whian State Conservation Area and Mount Jerusalem National Park, connecting Manns Road trail head (near Unicorn Falls in Mount Jerusalem National Park) to the Minyon Falls day-use area in Nightcap National Park.

Bar Mountain – Border Ranges.

When completed, the project will comprise 47.74km of class 3 and 4 hiking standard walking tracks.

The main walk is 35.55km in length, made up of 8.25km of new track and 27.30 km of existing tracks, roads and trails.

The project will also incorporate a total of 12.18km of sidetracks from the main route.

The multi-day walk will also include three camps with toilets, camping platforms and other infrastructure.

Koonyum Range.

The walk’s name Gidjuum Gulganyi means “Old People’s Track” and was jointly chosen by the Widjabul Wia-bal Native Title Holders and the Wollumbin Consultative Group.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) senior project officer Daryl Moncrieff said the walk would be built with minimal impact

“Using existing trails and disused logging tracks, it will allow the natural elements to determine the route to reduce the need for further disturbance in constructing new trails,” he said.

Pegged to deliver a world-class bushwalking experience, the track is designed to foster advocacy for environmental conservation and sustainability.

Once complete, the 3-night, 4-day Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk will form part of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service network of 13 Great Walks across New South Wales.

The Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails project is due for completion in early 2024.