Most people come to Dorrigo for a day trip, but we’re here to tell you that they’re missing out. Dorrigo might be a small village, but it’s surrounded by the most incredible things to do, and a day just isn’t long enough!
From some of Australia’s most jaw dropping waterfalls, ancient rainforest that feels like you’ve strayed onto the set of the Lord of the Rings, and lots of wildlife, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the great outdoors.
It’s also a great base for exploring some of the other nearby national parks, that don’t have their own villages to use as a base. In short, Dorrigo is a dream destination for outdoor lovers. It stole our hearts and quickly became one of our favourite places in NSW.
Here are all the best things to do in Dorrigo to help you plan the perfect trip.
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1: Walk behind Crystal Shower Falls
2: Sunrise at the Skywalk Lookout
3: Find the glow worm colony
4: Swim at Dorrigo’s highest waterfall
5: See the sunset at Griffith Lookout
6: Take a dip at Dangar Falls
7: Walk one of NSW’s best trails - the Wonga Walk
8: Eat your way round Bellingen
9: Stroll along the Bird Boardwalk
10: Hang out with the adorable pademelons
11: Drive the incredible Waterfall Way
12: Scramble to the top of Cathedral Rock for sunset
13: Explore the wilds of New England National Park
13 Things to do in Dorrigo to put it on your bucket list
These are the top 13 things to do in Dorrigo
1. Walk behind the breathtaking Crystal Shower Falls
Crystal Shower Falls is the most famous attraction in the area, and easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls in NSW. Located deep in the heart of the rainforest you’ll find a breathtaking waterfall that cascades down the side of a fern covered cliffside.
The setting is as dramatic as the falls themselves and the picturesque suspension bridge offers a fab view of the whole scene.
Those who are not afraid of getting a bit wet can walk right behind the falls and view the curtain of water from behind.
The most direct way to get to Crystal Shower Falls is on the 3.2km return walking track. Our preferred way is along the Wonga Walk which we mention in more detail below.
2. Catch a sunrise from the Skywalk Lookout
If you can handle an early alarm call there is no better time to check out the famous Skywalk Lookout than at sunrise. Not only does it illuminate all the mountain tops, it’s also when the whole rainforest is waking up.
You’ll be treated to a myriad of birdsong (more like sounds but you get my drift) and you’re very unlikely to have to share it with anyone else.
The Rainforest Centre doesn’t open until 9am, and most people assume this is when you can access the lookout and the trails, but you can get in the side gate from 5am! The view of both the forest and surrounding mountains is a true beauty.
If you don’t want to go early, you can go at sunset, but you won’t see the sun set in front of you. You will still get some nice soft light though, which will make the landscape very photogenic. Visiting during the day is also gorgeous, particularly if there is low hanging cloud which makes it really atmospheric.
To access the Skywalk Lookout you need to make a gold coin donation, the donation box is at the start of the boardwalk. The walk only takes a minute.
3. Visit the secret glow worm colony
No evidence of this secret little glow worm colony existed online, but when we saw Crystal Shower Falls by day we had our suspicions that it looked like perfect glow worm habitat.
We decided it was worth venturing back into the forest at night and there they were, twinkling on the underside of the overhang behind the falls.
It’s not as big as colonies we’ve seen in the Blue Mountains, but there are still several hundred there and it’s always a magical feeling to stand beneath a whole different kind of night sky.
Entering the rainforest at night might not be for everyone, but if you’re up for a little adventure it’s a really special experience.
The sounds are all completely different by night and you might be treated to some nocturnal sightings. We saw possums and giant snails!
All the details on the best route to take plus exactly where to find the densest patch of glow worms is in this post.
Please don’t shine light on them as they will go out and you won’t see anything! We have tips for getting the most out of your glow worm experience in the linked post.
4. Marvel at Dorrigo’s highest waterfall
Dorrigo’s tallest waterfall might not be as easy to get to as Crystal Shower Falls, but it’s definitely worth it.
Not only is it a jaw dropping waterfall to look at, but you can actually swim in the pool at the base - unless there has been a month of crazy monsoon rain just before your visit when the falls are too powerful to get near (we couldn’t complain though, it looked incredible)!
Either way you won’t miss out because even sitting on the rocks beside the falls will give you a good waterfall shower!
There is also a nice area of big dry rocks which you can sit on and have a picnic with a fab view of the falls. There are a couple of ways to reach the base of the falls, we outline all the routes, as well as other beautiful wild swimming spots in this post.
5. Catch a sunset at Griffith Lookout
Alright, so Griffith Lookout is technically a sunrise spot too, but if you’re anything like us, two sunrises in a matter of days is a bit much!
You can watch the sunset from the Griffith Lookout but it’s to the side of the view rather than directly behind it.
Either way, it’s a stunning sight, we both let out a wow when we got out the car, we hadn’t expected to see layer after layer of dense forested mountains. It’s spectacular.
The other nice thing about this spot if you’ve had an action packed day is that there’s no walking involved, you can just drive right up to it.
Griffith Lookout is 8km outside the village on a scenic road, which takes about 10 minutes to drive to.
6. Take a dip at the bottom of Dangar Falls
Dangar Falls is a dream swimming spot. The pool at the base of the 30 metre waterfall is huge, so unlike at many waterfalls, you can have a proper swim.
It’s also easy to access, considering how dramatic it is, with a good path taking you down to the bottom in about 10 minutes (the sign says 20 but that would be extremely leisurely).
The walk is paved at first and then you’ll have a couple of staircases and some wooden boardwalk. It’s a pretty stroll through the forest and the falls themselves are spectacular, particularly after rain.
The water is cold year round but as with the other Dorrigo swimming holes, after the initial shock, it’s incredibly invigorating.
If you don’t want to walk down to the bottom you can view the falls from the viewing platform at the top. The falls are just 2km from Dorrigo town centre.
7. Walk one of Australia’s best trails - the Wonga Walk
We walked every trail in Dorrigo National Park and the Wonga Walk is the best. There is nothing like walking through the ancient Gondwana rainforest to make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
This rainforest is many millions of years old, and you feel it instantly. It feels like entering Jurassic Park!
If you are lucky enough to be in Dorrigo on a misty day - even if it’s wet - walk this trail. The canopy keeps the worst of the rain off you and the low hanging cloud through the forest is magical.
It took us 30 minutes to walk the first 1km of the track (which was flat) purely because I could not stop marvelling at how wonderful it was. It’s up there with the most atmospheric walks we’ve done anywhere in the world.
The path is paved, and while there are some hills you won’t regret making the effort. You’ll see otherworldly rainforest, two sets of falls (including Crystal Shower Falls) and lots of birdlife. The eerie sound of the Catbirds echoing through the trees is a constant backdrop and only adds to the mystical feel of the walk.
You can read our full trail guide to the 6km circuit track here.
8. Eat your way around Bellingen
The one downside of Dorrigo in our opinion is that the food options are very limited and those that we tried were not the best. If you’re a foodie then you’ll want to drive 30 minutes over to Bellingen at least once during your stay because this small town has incredible eateries!
If you want brekkie or lunch then you can’t go past Hearthfire Bakery, it was so good we went four times and I’d be a regular if it was in Sydney! Everything from the woodfire sourdough to the quiches and pies were some of the very best we’ve had in Australia. They even had a range of veggie pies that tasted great - and that’s a rarity!
We also loved the restaurant Za'atar which had delish falafel pockets and other Middle Eastern delights. For dessert head to the gelato shop and sit in their sweet little courtyard full of tropical plants!
Bellingen is also a lovely place for a little wander around the shops and soak up that relaxed bohemian vibe.
If you have more time to spend there, we have a whole post on the best things to do in Bellingen.
9. Walk with the Birds boardwalk
Bring out your inner twitcher and wonder along the 150m long ‘Walk with the Birds boardwalk’. If you are planning a sunrise at Skywalk Lookout or an early morning visit to the pademelons, it’s ideal to head to the boardwalk directly after (the walk departs from the Glade Picnic Area down the road), because birds are most active in the morning.
You’ll head 300m into the rainforest on a paved (fully accessible) path and when you reach the boardwalk there are places to sit and information boards letting you know what to look out for.
Birds to look out for include: Lyrebirds, Riflebirds, Wompoo Fruit Doves, Catbirds (with their very distinctive eerie cry) and Noisy Pittas.
Being in the rainforest in the early morning and soaking up the atmosphere really is the perfect way to start the day.
10. Hang out with the adorable Pademelons
If you’re a wildlife lover you can’t miss spending some time with the adorable little Red-necked pademelons.
At sunrise and sunset they come and feed on the lush grass at the Pademelon picnic area, just by the Rainforest Centre.
There are picnic benches and if you sit quietly and don’t get too close, they will let you observe and photograph them behaving completely naturally. They might spook when you first arrive but they’ll come out again if you don’t make any noise.
We ended up visiting them three times, once at sunrise and twice at sunset. There are more around at sunrise but if you’re not up for the early start, sunset was good too. We were lucky enough to see a mother and joey and even a little boxing match!
Needless to say don’t feed them as it makes them very sick.
11. Drive the incredible Waterfall Way
The Waterfall Way runs between Armidale and Coffs Harbour, and Dorrigo sits directly on route, part way through. The best waterfalls will see you heading west towards Armidale. The first major stop is Ebor Falls, 40 minutes away and it’s a real beauty.
Both the upper and lower falls would be worth a visit in their own right. The upper falls are just a minute’s walk from the car park and you can then take a short paved walk to see the lower falls.
The lower falls viewing platform has sadly burnt down so you can only view the falls along the walkway which is why we don’t suggest driving over to the lower lookout platform.
The next major falls, Wollomombi Falls, come an hour later and the setting is incredibly dramatic, with two sets of falls cascading into a huge gorge.
We have a whole article on the best lookouts (and which aren’t worth the walk) in this post.
Bakers Creek Falls are just 15km beyond Wollomombi Falls and are a minute’s walk from the car park. The falls felt quite distant here, but the setting was spectacular, we were lucky enough to visit in mist when it felt like we’d strayed into a David Attenborough documentary.
In-between Ebor Falls and Wollomombi Falls you’ll also pass by Cathedral Rock and New England National Parks, which we’ll detail below.
12. Test your nerve on the summit scramble at Cathedral Rock National Park
Cathedral Rock National Park is located just off the Waterfall Way, just under an hour’s drive from Dorrigo. The most popular walk is the Cathedral Rock Summit Track and it’s completely different to any of the rainforest walks you might be planning in Dorrigo National Park.
You’ll walk on a good path through a forest dotted with giant boulders, before heading into the boulders themselves as you make for the summit. It’s a bit of an obstacle course as you head over, under and through gaps in the rocks, before finally grabbing a chain and heaving yourself up to the top.
We went for sunset, which was truly spectacular, with fabulous panoramic views. You can read all the hike details in our guide on the Cathedral Rock Summit Walk.
13. Explore the wilds of New England National Park
If Dorrigo National Park has left you wanting even more rainforest then a visit to New England National Park should be on your list. New England is a moss lovers delight with copious Antarctic beech trees (if you’ve ever walked the Gloucester Tops Circuit in Barrington Tops, then you know what a wonder they are).
As well as mesmerising rainforest you’ll also find two terrific lookouts, including one that only takes a minute to get to (if you’re limited on time) and yet more waterfalls - and these ones are firmly off the beaten track!
Even if you just pop in to check out Point Lookout, one of the most photographed spots in NSW, then it will be worth it. Just note that the access road is unsealed and a bit bumpy.
Getting to Dorrigo
Dorrigo is 550km from Sydney and will take roughly 6 hours to get to. It’s 30 minutes from Bellingen and an hour and a half from Armidale.
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