Mount Warning

Mount Warning National Park protects the spectacular central plug of the ancient Tweed shield volcano in the far north of New South Wales, near Murwillumbah in the Tweed Valley. Mount Warning itself, known as Wollumbin in the Bundjalung language, rises to 1,156 metres as the first place on the Australian mainland to receive sunlight each morning. Covering approximately 2,380 hectares, the park is surrounded by Nightcap and Border Ranges national parks as part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. The mountain is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in eastern Australia, visible from the Gold Coast and far out to sea.

Mount Warning National Park supports exceptional subtropical and warm temperate rainforest wildlife. The threatened Albert's lyrebird inhabits the dense forest on the mountain's slopes. Pademelons, ringtail possums, and diverse bats inhabit the rainforest. The Wompoo fruit-dove, regent bowerbird, and numerous rainforest-specialist birds occupy the subtropical canopy. Flying foxes roost in the valley floor. The park's dense rainforest provides refuge for diverse reptiles and frogs. The summit heath supports alpine-adapted invertebrates.

Subtropical rainforest dominates the lower and middle slopes, featuring bangalow palms, hoop pines, strangler figs, and diverse vine forest species on the fertile basaltic soils. Warm temperate rainforest with coachwood and various laurels occupies cooler aspects. The upper slopes and summit support more exposed heath communities. The basaltic soils of the volcanic plug are exceptionally fertile and support the lush rainforest communities. The park's vegetation is among the finest examples of subtropical rainforest in Australia.

Wollumbin/Mount Warning is the central plug — the hardened magma core — of the ancient Tweed shield volcano, which erupted approximately 22 to 23 million years ago and was one of the largest volcanoes in the Southern Hemisphere. As the surrounding caldera walls eroded, the harder basalt plug remained, creating the iconic summit visible for vast distances. The mountain is surrounded by the remnant caldera walls, visible as the surrounding ranges including Nightcap and Border Ranges.

The park has a warm subtropical climate with very high rainfall. Annual rainfall may exceed 2,500 millimetres on the summit, making it one of the wettest places in Australia. Summers are warm and humid. Winters are mild. Cloud and mist are frequent on the summit. The moist conditions maintain the subtropical rainforest communities.

Wollumbin is one of the most sacred sites of the Bundjalung people. The mountain is the totem of the Bundjalung nation, and access to the summit is traditionally restricted to initiated men for ceremonial purposes. The Bundjalung people have asked visitors not to climb the mountain out of respect for its spiritual significance. European explorer John Oxley named the mountain 'Mount Warning' in 1823 as a navigational warning to mariners.

Mount Warning National Park was established to protect the volcanic plug and its surrounding rainforest. The park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area. In recent years, NSW National Parks has worked to raise awareness of the cultural significance of Wollumbin to the Bundjalung people and the request not to climb.

The summit track provides a challenging walk through subtropical rainforest to the rocky summit. The track is closed at night and opens at specific times to manage the dawn-watchers. The rainforest walk at lower elevations is suitable for all visitors. Birdwatching for rainforest species including Albert's lyrebird is excellent.

The park has a car park and picnic area at the track entry point near Murwillumbah. There are no campgrounds within the park. The park is approximately 840 kilometres north of Sydney and 30 kilometres from Murwillumbah. The Gold Coast is approximately 60 kilometres. A national parks pass applies.

Respecting the cultural significance of Wollumbin and the Bundjalung request not to climb the mountain is a visitor management priority. Protecting the rainforest from lantana invasion is an ongoing management challenge. The park's World Heritage values require ongoing monitoring and protection of the rainforest communities.