New South Wales · Attraction
Never Never Picnic Area
Quiet rainforest clearing with waterfall walks
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Tucked 10 kilometres past the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre along Dome Road, the Never Never Picnic Area is the quieter, more secluded entry point to Dorrigo National Park's southern reaches. The wide grassy clearing sits beneath the canopy of a Gondwana-era forest within the World Heritage Area, and serves as the trailhead for some of the park's most rewarding waterfall circuits.
From the picnic area, walkers can set out on the Rosewood Creek Circuit and the Red Cedar Falls side-track, following a stream through subtropical rainforest to reach cascades deep in the gorge. The Blackbutt Track to Casuarina Falls is another popular route departing here, a moderately challenging circuit that passes through stands of giant blackbutt eucalypts before descending to a dramatic waterfall with mountain views above the canopy. The area records 30 species of mammals, more than 128 bird species and 44 species of reptiles and amphibians in the surrounding park.
The picnic ground itself has wood barbecues with supplied firewood, picnic tables and toilet facilities, making it a practical base for a half-day or full-day walking adventure. Rufous fantails and golden whistlers are regular visitors to the clearing, and the dawn chorus in spring is considered among the best in the region. Mobile phone reception is limited, so downloading offline maps before arrival is recommended.
Scenic views
