Ancient Adventure

Chaelundi National Park is one of NSW’s largest ancient forests, and it offers four-wheelers spectacular views and a trip back in time!

- Kev Smith

CHAELUNDI National Park is located in a remote area, 60km north of Dorrigo. To gain access, you need a NSW Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) key, and once you’re down into the guts of the park, it’s prehistoric-like. Entering Chaelundi from the Nymbodia side, 24km south-west from Grafton, is relatively easy to find thanks to the Boundary Creek Road sign post, as well as the directional sign to Chaelundi. The roads here are irregularly maintained and pass through several working cattle properties, so care must be taken.

Boundary Creek Road follows the terrain for many kilometres before it starts to wind down into deep gullies, providing views of the hills ahead as you travel at 700 metres above sea level. Logging is still performed in these areas, so be aware of any warning signs, trucks or machinery, and be sure to drive with your lights on. A short drive down will bring you to an intersection, which will direct you to Chaelundi National Park. From here, you will need to veer right down onto the Shannon Creek Trail. This trail wanders deeper into the forest where, if you keep an eye out, you may be lucky enough to spot lyrebirds, goannas, or even wallabies. Shannon Creek has a quaint little stop area with a pit toilet, barbecue, table and an info board which outlines a detailed history and geological data of the area.