Mount Warning
remains significant to Aboriginal people, providing a traditional mythology that
extends back to the dreamtime. Called
'Wollumbin', meaning 'fighting chief of the mountains', the Aboriginal people
believed that lightning and thunder observed on the mountain were warring
warriors and that landslides were wounds obtained in battle.
The mountain was
named by Captain Cook to warn future mariners of the offshore reefs he
encountered in May 1770. Reserved
for public recreation in 1928, Mount Warning was dedicated as a national park in
1966. Inclusion in the UNESCO World
Heritage Listings in 1986, along with other New South Wales rainforest parks,
ensures its protection for future generations.
Plant and Animal Refuge
The fertile
volcanic soils, high humidity and rainfall of Mount Warning provided sanctuary
from advancing aridity. The ancient
forests that occur here are a window into the past. Among the multitude of tree species are giant stinging trees, figs,
booyongs, carabeens, brush box, and flame trees. Many threatened plant species are found here.
A variety of
birds, mammals and reptiles may be seen by the observant walker in Mount Warning
National Park. Birds are abundant,
over 100 species have been recorded, including the rare and endangered rufous
scrub-bird, wompoo pigeon, marbled frogmouth, and Albert's lyrebird.
Summit Track
Winding upwards
from the Breakfast Creek parking area is the Mount Warning Summit Track, which
passes through a variety of vegetation communities. Subtropical and temperate rainforest, wet sclerophyl forest and heath
shrub land are all encountered on your journey upward. After a final rock scramble the track emerges to 360 degree
views reaching every distant horizon.
Evident from this
vantage point is the enormous eroded bowl of the caldera landform. Twenty million years ago the height of the volcano was twice the present
height of Mount Warning. This volcano was formed by massive
outpourings of lava, layer after layer, over a landscape that stretched from
Mount Tamborine in the north to Lismore in the south. Westward it extended to Kyogle and its eastern remnants occur as reefs at
Point Danger.
The height of the volcano alone was sufficient to trap moisture-laden air
from the coast. Over the millennium the myriad of small streams produced by this trapped
moisture, carved out this unique and curious landform. Harder rocks resisted this erosion such as the rhyolite cliffs of the
caldera rim and the rock composition of the central chamber.
These stand as stark testimony of the grandeur that once was.
4-5 hour return
Degree of difficulty: Strenuous
Track condition: Steep and rocky in parts
Winter warning:
the walk after 2pm in Winter, as darkness on
the return can lead to people becoming lost.
Lyrebird Track
shorter walk catering for the less energetic, the Lyrebird Track crosses Breakfast Creek
before winding some 200m through palm forest to a platform set amongst the lush
subtropical rainforest.
Useful Information
Toilets are available only at the start of the walk.
Suitable footwear should be worn.
Temperature drops rapidly as you ascend.
Carry your own refreshments.
Take all your litter away with you.
Keep to the track - short cuts cause erosion.
Camping and fires are not permitted.
Facilities for barbecues are provided at
Korrumbyn Creek Picnic Area, situation 1.5km down the
road from the Breakfast Creek parking area.
Access
This World Heritage Rainforest Park (2,210ha), located in far north-eastern NSW, is reached
by leaving the Pacific Highway at Murwillumbah and following the Kyogle road
west for 12km. Turn onto the Mount
Warning Road and travel 5km to the Korrumbyn Creek Picnic Area at the park
entrance. Proceed another 1.5km
along the road to the Breakfast Creek parking area at the base of the mountain.