Led by Lyn McRae, Coffs Coast Branch
Five people, including the leader, went on the Fig Tree Falls walk on the morning of Wednesday 7 January 2026. The weather was good, partly cloudy, unlike the south of the state in a heatwave. We got shuttled in a 4WD, thanks to Lyn’s partner John, from the meeting point on Dingo Creek Road to a point where Frontage Creek Rd branched off around the head of the creek. The moderate pace walk gave us time to chat with stops to hear forest birds and see many small whip snakes in the sunny spots. The palm forest beside the bubbling Frontage Creek was delightful. We looked at the sketchy, old bridge but gladly didn’t have to cross it the way we went. On to the top of Fig Tree Falls we spread out for our morning tea stop and took in the ambiance of the rainforest amphitheatre.
Lyn explained this State Forest will be part of the Great Koala National Park and showed a map of where the koala hubs are on the route of our walk.
Some took on the optional scramble/slide around to the side to see the base of the falls – another delightful scene. We retraced our route and returned safely to our cars. Afterwards, we all drove back to the Orara River magic pools – great for a refreshing swim in summer.
[Note, the grade of the walk route actually taken was 3. The walk was previously proposed to be the whole Fig Tree Falls Loop as per ‘All Trails’ which has a steep ascent for 1km and steep decent that would have been a grade 4. Also the dodgy, old, high bridge that is part of completing the loop would have been a risk of fall from height and required very good balance skill. Lyn decided to make the walk an approach from the east and return the same way, avoiding the dodgy bridge and the steep slopes.]
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