Coffs Harbour local Yvonne Everett shares 40 bushwalks from Port Macquarie to the Clarence Valley in her new guidebook, Best Walks of the NSW Mid-North Coast. She shares the stories behind her book with NBN News and the popular podcast Australian Hiker.
We asked Yvonne for some summer walk recommendations. The region offers various coastal routes for holidaymakers including Yuraygir Coastal Walk from Angourie, Solitary Islands Coastal Walk on the Coffs Coast, and the 9 kilometre Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. Starting from Town Green, a promenade follows the Hastings River past cafes to the breakwall and Town Beach. From there, the walk heads south along a succession of glorious beaches and headlands, with views from Flagstaff Hill, interesting geology at Flynns Beach, and ends at the lighthouse at Tacking Point. Celebrate your walking achievement afterwards with refreshments at Sea Acres Rainforest Cafe. Sections are accessible for prams, dogs are welcome on much of the walk with a bonus off leash beach, and runners enjoy it all.
For families and dog walkers, the two kilometres Grafton Bridges circuit at Grafton has Clarence River views and edgy street art, including by 2022 Archibald winner Blak Douglas. Walk across both the iconic 1932 Bendy Bridge and the sleek new bridge opened in 2019. Near the double decker old bridge you can also find an old railway turntable and timber viaduct. Look closely for the remains of the steamer _ Induna _which carried train carriages across the Clarence River and Winston Churchill away from the Boer War. This walk is popular with photographers and train-spotters.
For a challenging one day walk, try the climb up Tuckers Nob, an 875m high peak clearly visible from the Pacific Highway. There are a number of routes up, all steep forest climbs that will give you a good cardio and leg workout. Yvonne likes to start from the idyllic Promised Land, climbing on Devos Trail in Bindarri National Park. The last section of the trail is known as “That Steep Bit”. You will notice, with some relief, the changes in vegetation as you approach the high point. An expansive view opens up, including Gleniffer Falls tumbling down the Dorrigo Escarpment and the shimmering ocean in the distance. The return walk is some 14 kilometres.
If you love a multi-day adventure, Yvonne suggests the three day 40 kilometre New England Wilderness Walk. Starting from Point Lookout on the edge of the Great Escarpment at around 1500m, the trail enters rainforest with giant Antarctic Beech trees. Hikers descend Grasstree ridge to an intimate campsite in a forest clearing. On the second day, the walking is wild and free as you follow Sunday Creek towards the Crescent at the heart of the ancient Ebor Volcano. Camp on a river beach near the abandoned paddocks at Brinerville, where vines are swallowing old timber building. The final day includes a crossing of the Bellinger River, the remains of a concrete bridge providing a stark reminder of the power of floodwaters. There are no facilities and a long car shuffle is needed, but the cacophony of frogs, the rousing birdsong, and the joy of wilderness walking make the challenges worthwhile.
Light enough to put in your daypack, the walks are illustrated with full colour maps and over 150 photos, with plenty of stories about the environment, geology and local heritage. Best Walks of the NSW Mid-North Coast includes family and dog friendly walks, coastal and forest walks, as well as some adventurous challenges. Yvonne also publishes a blog at www.coffstrails.com. And look out for Yvonne’s second book, to be published by Woodslane later in 2023.
Video link; https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2022/10/23/40-best-walks-of-the-mid-north-coast-highlighted-in-new-book/
Link to article; https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2022/10/23/40-best-walks-of-the-mid-north-coast-highlighted-in-new-book/]
Podcast link; https://australianhiker.com.au/episodes/234-best-walks-of-nsw-mid-north-coast-guidebook-interview-with-the-author/]
See the link below to Yvonne's Author page to purchase the book:
https://www.woodslanepress.com.au/collections/author-yvonne-everett