Tweed Byron Hinterland, NSW – 4-Day Rainforest Trek
The Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk is a stunning four-day hike winding through the lush rainforests of the Tweed Byron hinterland in New South Wales.
If you’re planning to take on this walk, here are some tips, insights, photos and important information to help you get prepared.
When I was getting ready for my own Gidjuum Gulganyi hike, heavy rain had flooded the access roads, making it impossible to reach the starting trailhead. While I didn’t complete the full four days yet, I visited both ends of the trail (on separate occasions) and explored sections from Day 1, Day 3, and Day 4 — and I can tell you, it’s worth adding to your hiking list.
Logistics & Getting There
This is a point-to-point hike, meaning you start and finish in different locations. That makes logistics more involved than a loop trail, especially if you're driving yourself.
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Shuttle service:
You can leave your car in Mullumbimby at the City Council car park on Station Street. This may be the most convenient and affordable option if you're booking the Vision Walks Shuttle, which costs about $38 each way from Mullumbimby. -
Don’t leave your car at the trailhead:
The Unicorn Falls car park is very isolated, and it's not recommended to leave a vehicle unattended for multiple days. -
Friend drop-off/pick-up option:
If you’re lucky, you can rope in a few friends to help with logistics! To make their time worthwhile, you can invite a friend to join you on the first leg of the hike, visiting Unicorn Falls and Hell Hole Falls as a day adventure. Then ask another friend to meet you at the end to do Minyon Falls as a separate day hike. It’s a great way to share parts of the trail and manage logistics—plus, it adds a bit of social fun on both ends.
Costs & Alternatives
Budget-Friendly Alternatives
- Unicorn Falls & Hell Hole Falls: You can park at the Unicorn Falls trailhead and explore the falls as a short day hike. From there, it's just a five-minute drive to reach Hell Hole Falls. Both are stunning and well worth visiting, even if you're not doing the full walk.
- Minyon Falls & Boggy Creek Walk: At the end of the GG Walk, the track finishes at Minyon Falls — but you can also drive straight there via Nightcap National Park if you're just visiting for the day. There's a large car park near the lookout, and you can do the Minyon Falls walking track or the Boggy Creek walk nearby without needing to commit to a multi-day hike.
- Rummery Park Campground: If you want to camp nearby and explore the area at a slower pace, Rummery Park campground is a great option. It's about $25 per night for two people and gives you easy access to day walks around Nightcap National Park, including Minyon Falls and the rainforest trails.
Photo: Unicorn Falls (Trailhead)
Water Access
There are rainwater tanks and rivers available along the trail. After heavy rain (like right now), the tanks should be complete. Still:
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Don’t rely on tanks as a guaranteed source.
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There are plenty of river crossings.
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Always filter your water or use AquaTabs to purify it—no exceptions.
Campsites
Along the 42km trail, there are three designated walk-in campgrounds, each thoughtfully equipped to enhance your hiking experience:
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Elevated Timber Platforms: Each campsite features 11 elevated timber platforms, designed to keep your tent off the ground, providing a flat and dry sleeping surface.
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Shelters: Basic shelters are available at each campground, offering protection from the elements and a communal space for hikers.
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Toilets: Composting toilets are installed at each site, promoting environmentally friendly waste management.
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Rainwater Tanks: Each campground is equipped with rainwater tanks. However, it's crucial to treat the water before consumption to ensure safety.
These facilities are designed to minimise environmental impact while providing essential comforts for hikers.
Setting up on Tent Platforms
Each campsite has raised wooden tent platforms with gaps between the slats and adjustable chains to help secure your tent.
But setup can be finicky, depending on your tent's type, shape, and size.
Tips:
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Bring extra straps to tie off where the chains don’t reach.
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Fishbone pegs are super handy—they slot into the platform gaps to help anchor your tent corners.
Signage and Navigation
The Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk is well marked with trail signage at key junctions, making it relatively easy to follow under normal conditions. However, after heavy rain or strong winds, fallen trees or overgrown vegetation can occasionally obscure the path — especially in more remote sections.
It's still important to carry a map (digital or paper) and have solid navigation skills. Even on marked trails, unexpected detours or trail damage can happen, and it’s always safer to be prepared.
Trail Conditions
Most of the track follows wide fire trails, which are generally easy to walk and well maintained. That said, there are also narrower sections of single track where the trail becomes more overgrown and less defined.
After rain, some areas can get muddy or slippery, and thick grass or scrub might be brushing up against your legs. For that reason, I recommend wearing long pants and gaiters — both for comfort and for added protection from scratches, leeches, or ticks.
Leeches & Insects
Being a rainforest track, leeches are common, especially after rain. Don’t skip bug protection.
My recommendation:
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Bushman Heavy Duty Insect Repellent Aerosol Spray (45% DEET) – it’s the strongest I’ve used and works better than anything else I’ve tried against leeches.
Extra Resources
If you’re planning your walk, feel free to use the resources I’ve prepared:
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My Full Packing List (LighterPack)
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GPX File with Waypoints (Trail + Campsites): You can upload this to apps like AllTrails and Garmin to help with offline navigation.
What to Expect Along the Track
This hike isn’t just about the rainforest — it’s packed with scenic rewards. At the southern end, the trail starts near Unicorn Falls, a peaceful cascade surrounded by ferns and mossy boulders. It’s a beautiful place to start the walk, and sets the tone for the days ahead.
Along the way, you’ll pass through lush subtropical forest, catch glimpses of the escarpment, and reach a number of scenic lookouts that offer sweeping views over the hinterland. Birdlife is abundant — from whipbirds and Kookaburras to the occasional eagle overhead — and the quiet, remote feel of the trail really sets it apart.
The final stretch of the hike brings you to Minyon Falls, where a large viewing platform gives you an incredible perspective over the dramatic drop. For those with time and energy, there's also a trail that takes you to the base of the waterfall — a worthwhile detour if conditions allow.
This track is more than just a point-to-point hike — it’s a chance to move slowly through a spectacular part of northern NSW that’s still relatively untouched.
Final Thoughts (For Now)
This hike has been on my radar for a while, and I'm excited that it’s finally open. We'll be walking through ancient rainforest, sleeping on raised platforms deep in the wild, and figuring things out as we go.
Everything I’ve shared here is based on research, planning, and the sections I’ve already explored — and I'll be updating this post with real-time trail notes once I complete the full trek.
In the meantime, if you’re also preparing for the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk and have any questions, feel free to drop a comment or message me.
See you on the trail.