Summary

This return walk is a deep dive into lush, sheltered rainforest where ground and air are cool and moist, where rainforest vegetation thrives, where the shadows are pierced with golden shafts of light.

Description

The eastern aspect of the South Coast Range has an annual rainfall of over 900mm, enough to support rainforest. Goodenia Rainforest is a magical example with a dense 30 metre high layered canopy filtering 70% of light and insulating the damp understory rich with vegetation.

This rainforest pocket has been spared major disturbance since colonisation. It remains as a relic of more ancient times when broader rainforests provided medicines and other resources to local Aboriginal people. Consequently, it continues to have special significance for them today.

The soft soil track and boardwalks drop deeply into the gully. They are easy to navigate. As a return walk, the ascent matches the descent, so be prepared for the steps and short steep climbs.

You will leave the walk with memories of tall eucalypts, sassafras, hanging vines, ferns and mosses massed between the steep gully walls and beside a tumbling, clear mountain stream

Birdlife is abundant. Many species are locally nomadic, following seasonal temperature changes or the flowering and fruiting of different plants across the range. Watch and listen for lyrebirds scratching on the ground, honeyeaters, parrots and lorikeets in the canopy and small birds such as Eastern yellow robins in the understory.

On site amenities include car parking, picnic tables and toilets. Carry your own drinking water.

Pets and firearms are not permitted in the National Park.

Chalk Hills Rd takes you most of the way into the forest. This is a dirt road within the National Park. Check driving conditions before departing.

Other Sapphire Coast walks:
Pambula River Mouth walk
Mimosa Rocks / Aragunnu Beach walk
Middle Lagoon & Beach loop walk
Merimbula Boardwalk
Jiguma coastal walk
Lake Street / Djirringanj People's walk
Pinnacles loop walk
Sandy Creek / Bournda Lagoon loop walk
Tathra Headland loop walk
Wajurda Point / Moon Bay walk

881 Views

Points of Interest

1. Picnic area

The open, grassy picnic area is set amongst tall timber atop the rainforest. It offers signage, picnic tables, a BBQ, toilets and car parking. Carry your own drinking water.

2. Entering the rainforest

The descent into the rainforest begins by enveloping walkers as they pass from manicured picnic ground straight into dense forest.

3. Earth steps

Heading down into the rainforest begins with wide spaced earth steps.

4. The path

It isn't long before you begin to feel and observe the changing ecosystem around you. The path becomes soft soil under layers of humus and fresh leaf litter.

5. Wooden steps and boardwalks

To protect the wetter gullies and stream beds wooden steps, boardwalks and foot bridges have been installed.

6. Small streams

The understory is perpetually moist. Small mountain streams lined with Tree ferns make their way down the gullies with you.

7. Mega fungi

Wood fungi the size of dinner plates can be observed amongst the rich decaying biomass of the rainforest floor.

8. Striking epiphytes

By the time you get to the bottom of the walk you are immersed in rich vibrant greens of every shade. Tree trunks host ferneries of their very own as epiphytes use them to head aloft.

9. The rainforest story

As you follow the path interpretive signs tell the story of the rainforest and its occupants.

Features

Picnic spot

Seating available

Public toilets

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river