Minnamurra Rainforest guide to the falls walk, fees and hours

Get to know Minnamurra Rainforest

Minnamurra Rainforest sits in Budderoo National Park, inland from Kiama past Jamberoo. Visit NSW describes it as rare remnant rainforest that once spread across the Illawarra, and Destination Kiama says it shows what much of the region looked like before European settlement.

Destination Kiama describes the forest as subtropical and warm temperate rainforest along the upper Minnamurra River. Elevated walkways, paved tracks and suspension bridges carry you through it.

Everything starts at the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, run by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Staff there can give you local information and tell you what's open.

Walk the Lyrebird Loop first

The Lyrebird Loop is the walk most visitors do. It's a 1.6 km loop on an elevated walkway, with suspension bridges, viewing platforms and signs about the rainforest along the way. NSW National Parks grades it 3 and suggests 30 minutes to an hour, and calls it ideal for walking with children.

Look out for bird's nest ferns, strangler figs, orchids and elkhorns, and listen for birdlife along the creek. Destination Kiama says the first 500 m suits assisted wheelchairs. NSW National Parks rates the loop's accessibility as hard, so call the centre on 02 4236 0469 if you're bringing a wheelchair or pram.

Free self-guided audio tours of the loop are in the Immersive stories section of the NSW National Parks app. Mobile coverage is limited in the park, so download them before you leave, as they play offline.

Last access to the loop is 4pm.

Climb to Minnamurra Falls

The Minnamurra Falls walk branches off halfway around the Lyrebird Loop. NSW National Parks lists it as 4.2 km return, grade 4, taking 1 to 2 hours, with steep sections and seats to rest on. There's no wheelchair access.

Destination Kiama gives the falls section as 2.6 km return, which makes 4.2 km once you add the loop. Either way, allow about 2 hours for the full walk from the centre and back.

The track follows elevated walkway and paved path. You pass streams, moss-covered rocks and ferns, with views over the canopy and the canyon. Viewing platforms look out to the lower and upper Minnamurra Falls.

Take it at your own pace and use the seats. NSW National Parks recommends a hat, sunscreen and drinking water, and closed shoes are sensible on the steep sections.

Last access to the falls walk is 3pm, an hour earlier than the loop. If you arrive after 2pm, go straight to the falls turn-off.

Stay on the boardwalk and out of the river

There's no swimming on the rainforest walks. NSW National Parks asks visitors to stay on the boardwalk and paved tracks at all times, and says there's no river access, to keep the water pristine for the park's aquatic life and downstream residents.

If you want a swim after your walk, the beaches are closer than you'd think. Easts Beach is a 15-minute walk from Kiama Ridge Waters, and our Kiama rock pools guide lists the ocean pools. Further up the escarpment, NSW National Parks says you can take a dip in the waterhole at Nellies Glen picnic area, on the other side of Carrington Falls.

Look for lyrebirds, water dragons and wallabies

Superb lyrebirds give the loop its name. They're shy, but you'll often hear one before you see it. NSW National Parks says male lyrebirds display in winter, from June to August, which makes winter a good time to listen for their calls.

Destination Kiama and Visit NSW both list eastern water dragons and swamp wallabies among the animals you might see. Destination Kiama also mentions ancient fig trees, rock orchids, elkhorns and ferns.

Walk quietly and come early to give yourself a better chance of seeing wildlife.

Check fees, hours and alerts before you drive out

Entry: $12 per vehicle per day, which applies only in the Minnamurra Rainforest area. If you arrive by bus or taxi, it's $4.40 per adult and $2.20 per child. NSW National Parks annual passes cover entry. Fees change, so check before you go.

Hours: park gates open 9am and close 5pm daily. The Rainforest Centre opens 9am to 4pm and closes on Christmas Day.

Closures: NSW National Parks warns the centre may close at short notice when visitor numbers or the carpark reach capacity, and suggests visiting outside 11am to 2pm. The park can also close in poor weather or fire danger. Check the Budderoo National Park alerts on the morning you go, or call the centre.

NPWS alerts also list feral animal control in parts of Budderoo National Park from time to time, with closures from 6pm to 9am, Monday to Thursday, on the Douglas Creek Trail, the powerlines trail east of Carrington Falls and the Knights Hill precinct. These don't change the daytime rainforest walks.

Bring lunch for the picnic area

The Minnamurra Rainforest Cafe is closed until further notice. The centre still sells light refreshments and hot drinks, and NSW National Parks lists drinking water there.

The Minnamurra Rainforest picnic area is a riverside spot, with picnic tables on paved areas among the rainforest plants and covered gas barbecues. Wood fires, campfires and heat bead cookers aren't allowed, and smoking is banned in NSW national parks.

For a pub lunch, head back down to Jamberoo village. Our Jamberoo guide covers the 1857 Jamberoo Pub, Club Jamberoo and the village markets.

Drive from Kiama to the Rainforest Centre

From Kiama Ridge Waters it's about 25 minutes (18 km) by car. Head west on Jamberoo Road through Jamberoo village, turn left onto Jamberoo Mountain Road, then take the first right onto Minnamurra Falls Road. Visit NSW says the centre is about 3 km along, at the end of the road.

Without a car, NSW National Parks lists a daily bus from Kiama with Kiama Coaches (02 4232 1531) and taxis with Kiama Cabs (02 4237 7507). Check times with the operator before you rely on them.

Before you leave, download the Emergency Plus app. NSW National Parks notes mobile coverage is limited in the park, and you need reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Pick the right season and time of day

Waterfalls: NSW National Parks says late summer and early autumn are the peak time for the park's waterfalls. March is the wettest month and September the driest.

Summer: the canopy filters about 75 per cent of direct sunlight, which keeps the walks cooler than the coast on a hot day. Summer averages run from 17°C to 26°C.

Winter: averages run from 8°C to 17°C. It's a good season for lyrebird calls, and a solid choice on a cool, overcast day. See things to do in Kiama in winter and rainy day ideas.

Time of day: arrive at 9am when the gates open. You'll beat the 11am to 2pm peak that can close the carpark, and the forest is quieter for wildlife.

Join a ranger-led tour

NSW National Parks runs guided tours at Minnamurra on set dates, so check the Budderoo National Park page for what's coming up.

Minnamurra Rainforest by Torchlight is a guided night walk around the Lyrebird Loop, about 1 hour 45 minutes from 6pm. It costs $25 for adults, $15 for children aged 5 to 16 and $70 for a family of four, including park entry, for ages 5 and over. Bring a torch, closed shoes and a raincoat. Bookings are essential, so check the NPWS booking page for the next date.

The Junior ranger tour runs on set dates from 10am to midday, for kids aged 5 to 15 with an adult (who goes free). It's a walk around the Lyrebird Loop with activities such as compass use and identifying animal tracks. The listing has dates on 5, 14 and 20 January 2027 at $18 per child plus vehicle entry. Book online. For more ideas with children, see things to do in Kiama with kids.

Add Carrington Falls or Jamberoo Lookout to the day

Jamberoo Mountain Road keeps climbing past the Minnamurra turn-off, so it's easy to make a day of it.

Jamberoo Lookout, about 28 minutes (23 km) from the apartments, has a viewing platform over the valley to the coast. More views are in our Kiama lookouts guide.

Carrington Falls, about 40 minutes (33 km) from the apartments, drops more than 50 m to the Kangaroo River. NSW National Parks lists a 0.6 km loop walk (grade 3, 30 to 45 minutes) past Falls View and Valley View lookouts, with a steep metal stairway into a rainforest gully. There's no access to the top of the falls, NSW National Parks asks you not to attempt the base, and there's no entry fee here. Snakes are common in summer, so watch your step.

On the way home, stop at Saddleback Mountain or pull in at the Jamberoo pub. For more walking, see walks in Kiama and the Kiama Coast Walk.

Stay in Kiama and drive up for the morning

Stay at Kiama Ridge Waters, in the quieter southern part of town, and you can be at the rainforest gates for 9am, about 25 minutes' drive away. Easts Beach is a 15-minute walk from the apartments, so an afternoon swim is easy.

Each of the three-bedroom apartments at 2 Surfleet Place suits a family or a group of friends. Most of them welcome pets (a $200 cleaning fee applies), but dogs can't come into the national park, so plan the rainforest for a morning they can rest at home. Check-in is 3pm and check-out is 10am. See the apartments, our family accommodation and pet-friendly stays, or check availability.