Woko National Park

Woko is wild. A steep and rugged landscape with large swathes of wet and dry rainforest, rocky outcroppings, and eucalypt groves – this is a national park for people looking to escape the frantic bustle of everyday life. Jump in the car for a road trip and bring hiking boots and swimmers – Manning River will have you joining a growing population of return visitors, many of them families.

There are several hiking tracks in Woko, perfect for walking with children, but river camping and barbecues make it just as attractive a place for settling down over a long weekend. Find a perfect picnic spot and do absolutely nothing beneath the gum trees surrounded by native orchids and staghorns, or hit the current for a drift down Manning on an air mattress. Birdwatchers will also find much to celebrate here: the forest, escarpment and open grasslands are filled with beautiful species like the wedge-tailed eagle and lyrebird – don’t forget the binoculars. There are numerous animal species, too, including several threatened ones, like the brush-tailed rock wallaby, that rely on Woko National Park for their survival.

Woko’s rugged terrain can be difficult given its steepness. But clearing for cattle grazing, prior to the park’s protection, means main access points are open and accessible, particularly around Manning River. Bring the family and you’ll find something here for everyone.