Upper Orara: River Rides, Waterfall Views and Walking Trails

Upper Orara offers three distinct options for active days: River Rides on the Urumbilum River, lookout points on the Bangalore Falls walking track and the Plateau Circuit in Bindarri National Park. River Rides are available as two- or three-hour rides; the walking tracks focus on a waterfall, gorge or park circuit. If you are considering Upper Orara as a place to stay, you can first decide which of these activities you want to shape your travel plans.

River Rides on the Urumbilum River

HWH Stables’ River Rides start at the riding centre in Upper Orara and explore the Urumbilum River. You can choose a two- or three-hour tour. This gives you a clear guide for including the ride in your day’s plans and deciding how long you’d like to spend. All HWH Stables experiences are available by advance reservation only. If you’re heading to Upper Orara primarily for a ride, making a reservation is part of planning your trip; you can also choose between the two- and three-hour options based on how much time you’d like to spend.

Bangalore Falls: Water and Gorge

The Bangalore Falls walking track offers views of the cascading water and Bangalore Gorge: you can see both from the lookouts. The track starts at the Bangalore Falls picnic area, which has toilets; access is via a 500-metre walking track. This gives you both a clear starting point and a distinctive scenic destination for your outing. If you’re drawn to lookouts and a gorge when choosing a destination, this track is one of Upper Orara’s standout natural experiences.

The Plateau Circuit in Bindarri National Park

The Plateau Circuit is a loop trail in the western part of Bindarri National Park. It passes the Bangalore Falls picnic area and Urumbilum picnic area. Its route is defined by its loop, its location in the western part of the park and the two named picnic areas. By contrast, the Bangalore Falls walking track focuses on lookouts over the waterfall and gorge. The Bangalore Falls picnic area also serves different purposes on the trails: it is the starting point for the Falls track and a place the Plateau Circuit passes by.

Experiences to help you choose where to stay

When looking for holiday accommodation, your preferred activities can help guide your choice of location. For the River Rides, the duration and advance reservation are key planning considerations. The two walking tracks offer different points of interest: the Bangalore Falls walking track focuses on the waterfall and gorge, while the Plateau Circuit is a loop in the western part of the park. Consider whether you’d rather plan your days around a reserved ride, lookout points or a park circuit. This can help you connect your choice of Upper Orara as a holiday destination with the experience you actually want to include in your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Bonville, Sapphire Beach, Arrawarra

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