Drive Dunoon, Rocky Creek Dam & Minyon Falls
Fancy some macadamias?
Once renowned as Australia’s macadamia capital, Dunoon is surrounded by macadamia plantations, where you can purchase the delightful nuts from roadside stalls or the Dunoon General Store. The village also serves as the gateway to Rocky Creek Dam.
Local tips: Just before you reach the village, Macadamias Direct on Dunoon Road offers a range of macadamia products for sale.
Nestled in a tranquil, leafy setting off the main street, the Dunoon Sports Club features Anna’s Greek Kitchen. This restaurant serves a menu of traditional Greek dishes and Aussie classics. Enjoy a meal indoors or on the spacious timber deck.
On James Street, Fairywise Cottage Gallery offers enchanting faerie portraits, hand-sculpted ceramics, and original paintings. The gallery is open on Sundays and by appointment.
Local tips: For a touch of whimsy, explore the Dunoon Faerie Trail. Maps are available at the Fairywise Cottage Gallery, perfect for a magical adventure for children and the young at heart.
A family favourite
Head north on Dunoon Road for about 4km and turn left at the Rocky Creek Dam turnoff.
The dam is great for families and large groups. There is ample parking, children’s playgrounds, toilets, barbecue facilities and sheltered areas. Dogs are welcome, but must remain on leash at all times.
Strap on your walking shoes and enjoy a stroll around the dam. There are five walks, mostly easy and short, ranging from a short, wheelchair-accessible educational trail to a 1.5km platypus-spotting adventure that’s popular with children and a 6km trek into the Big Scrub rainforest of Nightcap National Park.
Local tips: Pack a picnic and spend the day soaking up the spectacular countryside views.
The dam is the Northern Rivers’ primary water supply and for this reason there’s no fishing, boating, swimming or camping allowed at the site.
Explore a national treasure
Retrace your route along Rocky Creek Dam Road and turn left onto Dunoon Road. Follow for 3 kilometres and turn left onto Nightcap Range Road.
Nightcap National Park is World Heritage-listed and boasts some of the most pristine subtropical rainforests in NSW with waterfalls, stunning lookouts and trails.
Local tips: The park offers numerous trails for cyclists, hikers, and horse riders. The Whian Whian mountain biking trails provide 46 kilometres of paths with breath taking views of waterfalls and rainforest.
Rummery Park campground, located in the Whian Whian State Conservation Area is a picturesque spot for camping or picnicking. The park provides amenities including toilets, barbecues, sheltered picnic areas, ample parking, and spacious sites for caravans and trailers.
From Rummery Park, you can embark on a short walk along Boggy Creek to Minyon Falls, or take a drive back along Nightcap Range Road, turning onto Minyon Falls Road. Follow this forest drive for about 2 kilometres to reach the stunning Minyon Falls.
Waterfall well worth the drive
Minyon Falls plunges 100m into the deep, palm-shaded gorge below. On clear days there are views to the ocean from the waterfall’s edge, which is accessed from a wheelchair accessible platform.
Local tips: Pack a picnic and enjoy the scenery and sounds of birdlife at the Minyon Falls picnic area.
Continue along Minyon Falls Road for 1.5km to Minyon Grass picnic area and enjoy the spectacular views of Minyon Falls.
Local tips: You can walk from Minyon Grass to the base of the waterfall, it is a 4km return walk.
