Dorrigo is approximately a 40 minutes leisurely and spectacular drive along the Waterfall Way if departing from the small seaside town of Urunga, which is located approximately 20 minutes south of Coffs Harbour. The Waterfall Way has recently been voted the third most scenic drive in Australia, although care needs to be taken when driving along the narrow roadway, as there are numerous sharp corners and steep ascents and descents. The road begins at sea level and rises to 720 metres above sea level at Dorrigo.

The Waterfall Way is a bike riders dreams, especially the recently resurfaced section from Thora to Dorrigo as the road winds it way along the mountain, where you get glimpses of amazing vistas across what seems to be an endless expanse of forest and breath taking mountain ranges.

The Waterfall Way leaves the Pacific Highway north of Urunga and then at first winds its way along the lush and fertile flood plains of the Bellinger Valley following the pristine Bellinger River, until it reaches the small township of Bellingen, which is primarily a farming community but with influences of an alternative lifestyle.

After leaving Bellingen you reach a small village called Thora, which is situated at the base of the Dorrigo National Park (World Heritage Listed). From here the climb begins up the Great Dividing Range and in some sections there are steep inclines with sharp corners. It is easy to see how the name for the Waterfall Way was derived along this section of the road. Not only do you get to see glimpses of panoramic mountain vistas but you also drive past several amazing cascading waterfalls such as, Newell and Sherrard Falls. Care needs to be taken passing these waterfalls as the roadway is only one lane wide when passing the waterfalls.

This section of the Waterfall Way passes through the World Heritage Listed Dorrigo National Park which is on the northern side of the Waterfall Way, while the Bellinger River National Park lies to the south of the Waterfall Way. Giant Eucalyptus trees and colossal rainforest trees encase the road while ancient Cycads and tall tree ferns grow in the understorey.

When the summit of the mountain range is reached, ones sense are awoken by the crisp and clear mountain air. There is a beautiful vista across the rolling green undulations of the Dorrigo Plateau at this point. Dorrigo is now only a matter of minutes away and on route to Dorrigo several clear, babbling, meandering creeks are crossed.
 
Access to Dorrigo National Park is via Dome Road, which is prior to the township of Dorrigo. At the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre there is a National Park Shop, Café, toilets and a Skywalk. The Skywalk is a timber boardwalk built above the rainforest canopy and at the end of the short boardwalk one can admire the spectacular view across the Dorrigo National Park and all the way to the coastline from where your journey began at Urunga.

At the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre several walks through the park originate. The Lyrebird Link track (400 metres each way) connects with the Wonga Walk, which is a 5.8 kilometre walk through the magnificent World Heritage Listed forest of the Dorrigo National Park. The Wonga Walk circuit is a sealed track and has some steep sections, but is one of the best walking tracks I have experienced in a National Park, due to its sealed walking surface and the many interpretative signs along the way which identify plants and explain the life cycle of a rainforest.

This walk allows you to view exceptional examples of sub tropical rainforest which are dominated by colossal Stinging Trees, Strangler Figs, Yellow Carrabeans and palms, whilst the Wet Sclerophyll Forest sections are dominated by towering Eucalyptus trees and the understorey scattered with ancient cycads. Along the Wonga Walk there are two impressive waterfalls named, Crystal Showers Falls and Tristania Falls. The site of these two waterfalls when there is an amount of water flowing is truly breath taking. At Crystal Shower Falls the walking track goes behind the waterfall and you are faced with a curtain of water in front of you.

Walk with the Birds is an interpretive boardwalk suspended above the forest floor. Along this boardwalk are a number of seats with interpretative signs identifying different birds one might see while walking in the rainforest.

This easily accessed and spectacular National Park is worthwhile making the effort to experience. There are a number of facilities at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre including a café and toilets. From this point one can further plan adventures on the Dorrigo Plateau, as there are numerous pamphlets at the rainforest centre on the surrounding areas. The rainforest centre is open from 9am to 5pm daily.