State Forests & Nature Reserves
If you love the great outdoors, Telegraph Point puts you right on the doorstep of NSW State Forests and local Nature Reserves. Put your walking shoes on and head outdoors to explore favourite local walking trails.
Native Wildlife
Cairncross and the Wilson River are a must-see for nature lovers visiting the area. A wide variety of native fauna can be found within the state forest. Koalas, echidnas, wallabies, sugar gliders, lizards, spotted quoll, and flying foxes all share the bush walking trails. Cairncross is a bird watchers paradise with over 100 bird species identified in the area.
Cairncross State Forest is home to several species of bat and flying fox including the Little Bentwing-bats and the endangered Large-footed Myotis.
The Large-footed Myotis (Myotis macropus) is a mouse-like bat and is one of Australia’s most fascinating bats. It is the only species of bat in Australia that catches fish for food. It fishes by trawling its specially adapted feet along the water's surface to catch aquatic invertebrates and fish.
Click to listen to the call of the Large-footed Myotis.
Ballengarra & Cooperabung Creek Nature Reserve
In addition to the more popular cute and cuddly wildlife, the Ballengarra is home to the endangered Stuttering Frog (Mixophyes balbus), and even boasts it very own species of land snail - the Ballengarra Forest Bristle Snail (Austrochloritis ballengarra).
Walking Trails
Cairncross and Ballengarra Walking Trail Maps Coming Soon
Willi Willi National Park – Wilson River Picnic Area
Past Upper Rollands Plains and into the rainforest of Willi Willi National Park, the Wilson River picnic area is a great base with nearby camping to further explore the area.
There’s a choice of three scenic walking tracks, through sub-tropical and warm temperate rainforest, along the river, and to a sparkling waterfall and plunge pool. The Botanic walk is a gentle, 300m loop while Palm Grove walk returns over 1km with an easy grade, leading from the Wilson River picnic area through blue gums and lush green ferns to Glade picnic area beside Wilson River. Waterfall walk is the longest track at 3.5km, and is for those who prefer a moderate challenge.
Want more?
You're not far away from these forest walking trails and coastal beach walks.
Burrawan State Forest – Old Bottlebutt Walking Track
Burrawan State Forest is on Bago Road near Wauchope. The Old Bottlebutt Walking Track wanders through an area of rainforest with creek crossings and footbridges.
Port Macquarie Coastal Walk
A 9.1 km walking track that takes you from Westport Park along the beautiful Hastings River, continuing along the coastline and beaches, past Sea Acres Rainforest, to the Tacking Point Lighthouse.