Coorabakh National Park
Coorabakh National Park
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Coorabakh National Park and nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
4 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
11 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Anita T
Forster, Australia12,690 contributions
May 2020
It has been wonderful to be able to return for a day trip to the beautiful Coorabakh National park.
We entered the park from the southern end from Coopernook and our first stop was Newby's Cave. This is an overhang composed of conglomerate rock with the clearest little stream flowing past. Just magic!
The we continued on to the picturesque Newby lookout where you have magnificent views over the Landsdowne Valley and to the West.
Next stop was Starr Creek boardwalk through a lush rainforest. It is only short but be careful as we found the boardwalk to be very slippery. This spot has a couple picnic tables and a bush toilet.
We decided to have our sandwiches at the picnic ground below Big Nellie, which is a very large volcanic plug which can be climbed. I did it many years ago but I doubt if my knees could do it now.
Heading onwards we stopped at the great Flat Rock Lookout which again faces West. Here you can see grass trees growing out of the cracks in the sheer cliff beside where you stand.
From here we drove on and out of the park and headed for Hannam Vale. On the way we stopped at the beautiful Waitui Falls on Upsal Creek. There is no sign but the road is quite wide at the falls track entrance and if you get to the small bridge over the creek you have gone a bit too far.
We entered the park from the southern end from Coopernook and our first stop was Newby's Cave. This is an overhang composed of conglomerate rock with the clearest little stream flowing past. Just magic!
The we continued on to the picturesque Newby lookout where you have magnificent views over the Landsdowne Valley and to the West.
Next stop was Starr Creek boardwalk through a lush rainforest. It is only short but be careful as we found the boardwalk to be very slippery. This spot has a couple picnic tables and a bush toilet.
We decided to have our sandwiches at the picnic ground below Big Nellie, which is a very large volcanic plug which can be climbed. I did it many years ago but I doubt if my knees could do it now.
Heading onwards we stopped at the great Flat Rock Lookout which again faces West. Here you can see grass trees growing out of the cracks in the sheer cliff beside where you stand.
From here we drove on and out of the park and headed for Hannam Vale. On the way we stopped at the beautiful Waitui Falls on Upsal Creek. There is no sign but the road is quite wide at the falls track entrance and if you get to the small bridge over the creek you have gone a bit too far.
Written 2 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anita T
Forster, Australia12,690 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
I just love this national park. There is so much to see and do. We decided to go to Coorabakh National Park after the recent rain. We drove in at the Moorland turnoff and headed up through Hannam Vale. Our first stop was at the Waitui Falls, located in the Comboyne State Forest which had a nice flow. The falls are just off the road so easy to access. It is such a picturesque spot and great for photography. You can walk to the base of the falls which isn't hard and have a swim if you wish.
We continued on the road to Flat Rock Lookout which is a exciting spot. You are standing on a big flat rock a couple hundred metres above the tress below. You have these magnificent views over the Upper Lansdowne Valley and the Comboyne Plateau.
Further on there is a picnic table at the base of Big Nellie. This is a huge extinct volcanic plug which you can walk up to have great views . We drove on to Starrs Creek. Here is a lovely boardwalk which meanders through the rainforest.
We kept driving stopping off at Newby's Lookout which also overlooks the Lansdowne Valley below. This is wheelchair accessible and has some picnic tables.
Our final stop was at Newby's Cave which is a huge conglomerate overhang next to Newby Creek. A wonderful cool spot on a summers day.
We continued on the road to Flat Rock Lookout which is a exciting spot. You are standing on a big flat rock a couple hundred metres above the tress below. You have these magnificent views over the Upper Lansdowne Valley and the Comboyne Plateau.
Further on there is a picnic table at the base of Big Nellie. This is a huge extinct volcanic plug which you can walk up to have great views . We drove on to Starrs Creek. Here is a lovely boardwalk which meanders through the rainforest.
We kept driving stopping off at Newby's Lookout which also overlooks the Lansdowne Valley below. This is wheelchair accessible and has some picnic tables.
Our final stop was at Newby's Cave which is a huge conglomerate overhang next to Newby Creek. A wonderful cool spot on a summers day.
Written 23 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stuart c
Forster, Australia61 contributions
June 2015 • Family
very few people visit this park but it has a couple of great lookouts from the lansdowne escarpment over the manning valley and out to the ocean. it can be driven through by sedan unless its wet then a 4wd is recommended . Access to the park is via coopernook and thecoopernook forest way and will take you through to waitui approximately 20 klms from the pacific hwy . there is very good subtropic forest in the valleys and open native forests upon the higher slopes . There is a toilet rest area about half way through the park . vincents look out on the way into the forest is also has a very good view from crowdy head to forster tuncurry . snakes and goannas are often seen crossing the roads in summer at the end of the national park at waitui is the waitui fall which is a swimming hole for locals and is a great refreshing swim and very few people go here .
Written 1 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shivaraj R
Sydney, Australia19 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
We embarked on this route in a people mover vehicle and regretted the decision after going a few kilometres into the route, after which it was too late to retrace our way back. We ended up completing the circuit but not after some scary moments where our car started to swerve and slip in marshy places and certain stretches where there are jutting stones which make the car vibrate a lot. It is a route with amazing views and suprised us with the flora on offer. Must say that the people who have chalked up this route have done a fabulous job. On the flip side, i was a bit peeved that there was no warning whatsoever of the suitable vehicle for such a terrain, since as you would see it is mostly unsealed roads, but not like you have known it. I would have liked the local authorities to put up appropriate signage to warn people about the route ahead. if your car doesn't have adequate ground clearance you are at risk of damaging your suspension and left being stranded without any help. Just to state, there wasn't adequate signage displaying the kilometres and you are left driving vast stretches without any people in sight and no network in the phone and not being sure if you are on the right way (as there are minor deviations on the road). With kids it is best not to embark on this route as some anxious people might freak out as it is continually raining , the fog doesn't help with visibility and the gravel road is pretty bumpy. We were relieved we made it to the other end and felt we could have been better of being informed about the route in advance (as i would have avoided it). Most of the reviews here talk about the great views, but for a family with young children without an appropriate vehicle (With Good ground clearance, like a 4wd) be warned that it is not advisable to do this route. I would request the local authorities if this gets brought to their notice that they would have to put up signage atleast every 3 to 5 kms and indicate the shortest way back to the Pacific highway. It would also help if there is like a help-line for people to contact if they had a breakdown (like an emergency phone or some form of communication) at certain points in the route where there is no network coverage.
Written 27 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nameerfud
Taree, Australia290 contributions
July 2015 • Friends
The stand-out for this park (and adjacent areas) is geocaching. Good tracks and roads everywhere. Not too many people. Quiet camping. It does lack information and signage on where to find things such as waterfalls, swimming holes, good rock climbing, caving, short walks - but they are all there. Good bird watching.
Written 30 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimmy M
9 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Excellent view points and good picnic spots around the circular route through CNP. Make sure the car has good suspension for the ride around.
Written 20 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherrytree87
Forster, Australia18 contributions
June 2015 • Couples
Ive been out to Coorabakh three times in the last year. Having grown up in the area, and never being here before I was amazed that I hadn't heard how beautiful it is, until recently.
We turned off the highway at Coopernook the last time after also stopping at the Cattai Wetlands and brunch at The Otherside Gallery Teahouse..
It could be a nice country drive on its own if you're not feeling very adventurous- the loop road starts at Lansdowne and pops out at Hannam Vale- with a couple of lookouts on top of the escarpment, a small rainforest walk and a stop by Waitui Falls. On our last trip out we were stopped on the road at the Hannam Vale dairy as we waited for 100plus cows to cross the road, coming home for the day.
For the more adventurous, there is the scramble up Big Nellie- which has phenomonal 360 views of the Manning and beyond. You do have to have a moderate level of fitness and two hands to pull yourself up, but it is well worth it!!
Overall, this is my favourite National Park in the area- and our best kept secret!! And it gives a wonderful perspective of the region.
We turned off the highway at Coopernook the last time after also stopping at the Cattai Wetlands and brunch at The Otherside Gallery Teahouse..
It could be a nice country drive on its own if you're not feeling very adventurous- the loop road starts at Lansdowne and pops out at Hannam Vale- with a couple of lookouts on top of the escarpment, a small rainforest walk and a stop by Waitui Falls. On our last trip out we were stopped on the road at the Hannam Vale dairy as we waited for 100plus cows to cross the road, coming home for the day.
For the more adventurous, there is the scramble up Big Nellie- which has phenomonal 360 views of the Manning and beyond. You do have to have a moderate level of fitness and two hands to pull yourself up, but it is well worth it!!
Overall, this is my favourite National Park in the area- and our best kept secret!! And it gives a wonderful perspective of the region.
Written 1 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin Yang
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Dec 2018
It was an adventurous drive on the gravel road up and down in the mountain with spectacular views. The trip was full of fun and jumping into the water hole at the Waitui falls was the most exciting thing one shouldn't miss. The stay at Soulitude Farmstay just 25 minutes drive from the Waitui falls was beyond our expectation and we enjoyed the clean and comfortable farmhouse very much. The open air bath on the hill top with the sunset and the Galaxy within reach at night were unforgettable.
Written 3 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret B
Taree, Australia42 contributions
June 2018 • Solo
This is an excellent drive and suits the normal car and 4WDs. There is a free camping area on Forest Road. This is also a good picnic area.
Written 19 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ailsa H
Armidale, Australia149 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
The views are spectacular. Natural vegetation and wildlife make the path walks worthwhile. The amenities provided create a relaxed atmosphere for a picnic - enjoyable and comfortable.
Written 24 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing