Waterfall Way — Armidale to CoffsHarbour.
Distance
170 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,200 m
Waterfall Way — Armidale to Coffs Harbour.
NSW's most spectacular mountain-to-coast road. Starts on the New England Plateau at 1,000m, crosses Dorrigo National Park's ancient Gondwana rainforest, then plunges off the Great Dividing Range escarpment — 850m in 20km of tight switchbacks through subtropical jungle — to the Pacific coast at Coffs Harbour. One of the finest descents in New South Wales.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance170 km
Days1
Total climb1,200 m
DifficultyModerate
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The route.
ArmidaleStart · New England University city at 1,000m. Fill up here — no fuel for 130km to the coast. The crisp highland air is a contrast to coastal humidity.
Ebor High PlainsScenic Point · Rolling granite tableland at altitude. Ebor Falls (3km south detour) drops in two tiers into a volcanic crater — remarkable in any season.
Dorrigo Escarpment — Range SummitMountain Pass · The plateau breaks away here — 850m descent in 20km through tight switchbacks and dripping subtropical jungle. Wet and slippery after rain. Pacific views open as you descend.
Dorrigo NP — Rainforest SkywalkScenic Point · Elevated walkway over ancient Gondwana rainforest canopy. Views from the 800m escarpment across 40km of forest to the coast. The tree ferns below predate the dinosaurs.
BellingenRestaurant · Bohemian river town with a Saturday farmers market. Good cafes and slow-food culture. A favourite of tree-changers from Sydney.
Coffs HarbourEnd · End on the Pacific coast. Fresh seafood at the jetty precinct. The Big Banana is an unmissable kitsch landmark.
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