Hike Minyon Falls Loop

Located within Nightcap National Park, Minyon Falls is approximately 30 minutes South-West of the sleepy, hippie town of Mullumbimby. Mullum has an eclectic market on the third Saturday of the month from 9am-2pm with which you could synch your hike.

Minyon Falls itself flows over a 100m cliff before crashing into a palm-fringed swimming hole below. The best way to see the falls from all angles is The Loop walk.

You can begin the loop walk from either the Grassy Picnic Area or the Lookout Carpark, both of which are signposted as you enter the park. This description will be based on beginning at the Lookout Carpark. The 8.2km walk begins with a wheelchair-accessible lookout situated at the top of the falls. From here you are able to stare down into the pool below and, on a clear day, see all the way to the coast.

The path itself is well-marked but slippery in parts, especially after rain, and follows the ridge before dipping into the gorge. There are a couple of small river crossings to manoeuvre but otherwise the rocky path is an easy walk into the valley (4.5km). As you approach the base of the falls, follow the arrows and the sound of the falls (left) towards what initially looks like in impassable pile of rocks. It is these moss-covered boulders you scramble over before being granted spectacular views of water falling from a hundred metres above you.

Whether it’s blowing uncontrollably in the wind and the rain or glowing gold in the blazing sun, Minyon Falls is breathtaking. Slip into the swimming hole and explore the waterfall from underneath before you tackle the ascent back to the Grassy Picnic Area (2.5km) and follow the road back to the Lookout Carpark (1.2km). BBQs and picnic tables are provided at the Grassy Picnic Area.

Nightcap National Park is open from sunrise to sunset. The hike could be completed all year round but, in the colder months, it would be advisable to pack warm clothes as opposed to swimmers and a towel.

For more information and local alerts see the official NSW National Parks website:http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/Walking-tracks/Minyon-loop-walking-track