It’s kind of ironic that the only reason we headed to Minnamurra Rainforest was due to the loud calling from across the road of the local Superb Lyrebirds. We had originally planned to head to the Botanic Gardens at Mt Annan but the possibility of getting up nice and close to a Lyrebird, similar to that currently cycling through his repertoire of birdlife just beyond, was too big an incentive and our plans very quickly changed.

I mean, as much as I love our local Lyrebirds, they are hard to spot and even harder to get close to and so we jumped in the car and headed the 40ish minutes south.

The Walks

Not going to lie, I wasn’t too sad to see that the Falls Walk was closed due to a rockfall, as it saved my poor body from having to make the long, steep trek but the Lyrebird Loop Walk is currently open and the paths are raised boardwalks, so no falling over tree roots and great for strollers, and there’s the bonus of a couple of suspension bridges.

However, I’ll point out that there are a couple of steep sections, even in the Lyrebird Loop Walk, but there are also plenty of places where you can step aside, lean on a nearby railing and pretend that you’re totally taking in the view and not trying to desperately catch your breath! It’s easy to turn around if you’re only after a quick wander.

Even on the shorter walk, you’re surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful remnant rainforest, moss-covered rocks, twisting vines climbing up and into the canopy and even if you don’t make it to the falls themselves, the sights and sound of the crystal-clear water are all around you. Gorgeous!

The bridges are FUN. I was jumping on them, my husband jumped on them, parents jumped on them and their kids jumped on them. Look, if you’re heading to Minnamurra for the tranquility, just be aware that this is a popular rainforest and a GREAT place for kids to run around. The boardwalks make it super easy for little people to make their way around and there’s nothing like the great outdoors to let them release some pent-up energy. We found that after lunch the families tended to thin out a bit but even before then, you could definitely find moments just for you and the bubbling river.

Currently (June 2022) the cafe is closed but light refreshments can be purchased from the Visitor Centre. There’s chairs and tables so definitely pack a picnic – take a bit more time than my ridiculous effort of two mandarins, a strip of Mylanta and a bag of half-eaten veggie chips though! There’s also a fairly large toilet block which is a godsend for those of us with the bladder of a toddler!

The Wildlife

Those that know me know, that while I love a good nature walk for the good it does for the mind and the body, I’m all about the wildlife. And as mentioned the reason we headed out was to see Superb Lyrebirds. We heard one as soon as we hit the carpark so that was a good sign, but it wasn’t until we had almost completed the Lyrebird Loop Walk that we spotted our first. And then another. These ones weren’t calling and they can really blend into the dappled shadows of the rainforest so if you hear any scratching amongst the leaf litter, stop and have a quick look around as that is a bit of a give away – that’s where all the delicious stuff lives; the worms and bugs and spiders that the Lyrebirds find pretty irresistible. It’s hard to capture just how special these birds are. Here’s a short video to get a bit of glimpse of what they were up to. To hear their range of mimicking calls, click here.

We ended up spotting about six over a couple of hours. If you haven’t had any luck, spend some time in the carpark before you leave as they are often there, scratching around between the levels. We also saw a few different species of Thornbills, White-Browed Scrubwren, Eastern Yellow Robins, a Black-Faced Monarch and a couple of native Snails. All in all, a great morning out.

Tips and Tricks

Being a National Park, there’s a $12 parking fee, which you pay at machines in the carpark. I have an annual pass on my car and that gives me year-round access. If you’re going to visit a couple of National Parks or a couple of times, it’s well worth the cost!

For directions and to check for any alerts, such as park or path closures, click here.