Border Ranges National Park covers over 31,000 hectares and feels like a slice of primeval earth, with its dense subtropical rainforest and towering volcanic remnants. It’s part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, making it a haven for biodiversity and a living testament to the planet’s natural history. You’ll find cool, shaded forest floors, thick canopies, and rare wildlife, making this park a destination for nature lovers, photographers, and bushwalkers alike.
From the car park at Brindle Creek is the start of the Helmholtzia Loop Track which is about 1 kilometre and takes 20 to 40 minutes. If you choose to walk to Selva Falls it is about 3 kilometres making it 6 kilometres return. A map at the beginning of the track gives clear directions. The Brindle Creek Track is a moderate, grade 3 trail suitable for those with a bit of walking experience and a sense of adventure. Please be aware that there are many uneven steps and tree roots to step over. Along the way, you’ll find yourself under towering canopies, beside ancient tree trunks, and in a landscape that feels far removed from the modern world. This track provides a shaded escape even on hot summer days, with the refreshing coolness of the rainforest air and gentle sounds of the creek setting a soothing backdrop.
Evans Falls, Instagram @lynelle_gc
The Brindle Creek Walking Track is a paradise for those who love dense rainforest and vibrant biodiversity. The trail is shaded by massive Antarctic Beech trees and dotted with mosses, lichens, and native flowering plants, creating a green, serene landscape that’s rich with life. Birdwatchers will be thrilled with the sightings of riflebirds, lyrebirds, and a range of other native species, whose calls echo through the forest and make the journey all the more immersive.
The trail crosses Brindle Creek multiple times, giving you a chance to experience its clear, gentle flow. The creek’s pristine water offers views of brilliantly coloured crayfish, frogs, and other aquatic life, and the sunlight filtering through the canopy above casts a soft glow over this magical landscape.
Crossing Brindle Creek, Instagram @samhobleyphoto
Two notable highlights of the Brindle Creek track are the gorgeous Evans and Selva Falls, which are both accessible along the way. These falls are best viewed after rainfall, when the flow is stronger, but they’re charming year-round. Evans Falls is a delicate waterfall, cascading softly over rocks into a small pool surrounded by lush vegetation, giving it a gentle, fairy-tale quality. Selva Falls is the taller of the two, with water tumbling over a rock face, offering a lovely, tranquil scene.
These secluded spots are the perfect place to cool off with a quick dip, soaking in the rainforest’s quiet beauty. To protect these important habitats please avoid sunscreens and insect repellents when swimming in any rainforest streams.
Extra Note: Evans and Selva Falls were named after two Australian Army Sergeants who conducted jungle survival training at Brindle Creek during the Vietnam War.
Selva Falls, Instagram @frankysmartsings
To reach the Brindle Creek Walking Track in Border Ranges National Park, travel from Wiangaree on the Summerland Way following the signs to the Border Ranges National Park and the Brindle Creek Picnic Area, which marks the start of the trail.
From Murwillumbah take the Kyogle Road through Uki about 40 kilometres to Lillian Rock then turn off to the Border Ranges National Park on Williams Road. From there, take the eastern park entrance along Tweed Range Scenic Drive, then take the turn off to Brindle Creek just before Forest Tops camping area. The picnic area is roughly 2 kilometers from this turn-off and provides convenient parking for hikers. This National Park is about a two-hour drive from the Gold Coast or 2.5 hours from Brisbane, with the final stretch involving some well-maintained gravel roads.
When planning your trip to the Brindle Creek Walking Track, remember to come prepared for rainforest conditions. The track can be slippery, particularly after rain, so sturdy, waterproof shoes are essential. Bring plenty of water, insect repellent, and some snacks, as there are limited facilities beyond the picnic area. Border Ranges National Park requires an entry fee, which can be paid on-site or via an annual pass if you’re planning multiple visits to NSW’s national parks.
For those looking to extend the adventure, Border Ranges National Park has additional walking trails and scenic lookouts. The Pinnacle Walk, for example, rewards hikers with breathtaking views over the Tweed Valley and Wollumbin Mount Warning. The park’s scenic drive also provides a range of lookout points and picnic areas, making it ideal for a day of exploration. Visitors may also choose to enjoy the nearby Red Cedar Loop Track (750m) which also starts near the Brindle Creek car park.
The Brindle Creek Walking Track is a beautifully immersive experience that invites you to step into another world. From the lush canopies above to the gentle murmur of Brindle Creek and the enchanting waterfalls, this trail offers a serene and scenic escape, perfect for those who appreciate the quiet beauty of Australia’s ancient rainforests.
We wish to acknowledge the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans, as being the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waters within the Tweed Shire boundaries. We also acknowledge and respect the Tweed Aboriginal community’s right to speak for its Country and to care for its traditional Country in accordance with its lores, customs and traditions.
