RISE AND SHINE
Scale new heights with a climb up Mount Warning
THIS is not a daredevil drill. But it is a Warning.
Be the first in Australia to see the sunrise from the top of the 1156m ancient volcano that is Mt Warning – or Wollumbin as it’s called by the indigenous people of the Bundjalung Nation.
But if hiking up a huge hill at dawn isn’t your thing, don’t worry – there’s plenty of magic to experience later in the day.
The 8.8km five-hour return walk through the rainforest culminates in breathtaking 360 degree views around the caldera remnants with coastal views stretching from the Gold Coast to Byron Bay. The climb is not just for the very fit, but it is quite arduous.
Just be warned that the path can be crowded with a line-up at the summit ascent and descent. However, the camaraderie makes up for the loss of wilderness solitude, with lots of friendly nods, waves and progress reports.
Walk through subtropical and temperate rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and heath shrubland before your climb ends with a challenging 300m vertical rock scramble to the summit. There’s a chain embedded into the rock for assistance – use it.
While everyone loves a clear view from the top, it’s not infrequent for the weather to change even as you watch.
The indigenous nickname for Mt Warning, “the cloud catcher’’, is very appropriate. Just remember the silver lining: when shrouded in mist and cloud, it becomes even more enchanting with rushing streams and waterfalls.
The top of the mountain is the natural place for a picnic, with plenty of flat ground and bench seating. And it’s literally all downhill from there.