Surrounded by rainforest in Nightcap National Park, Mount Nardi picnic area is a birdwatching haven and the starting point for many exhilarating walking tracks.

It’s a long and winding road through lush rainforest to get to Mount Nardi picnic area, but on arrival you’ll know it is well worth it. This picnic area is the highest point in Nightcap National Park, and the view through the clearings of the Northern Rivers district, taking in Lismore and Nimbin, is superb.

The cleared, grassy picnic area is surrounded by tall trees, including towering booyong, also known as tulip oak, as well as maiden’s blush, with its cream flowers that appear in October and November. It’s also the starting point for a range of hikes including Mount Matheson loop, Pholis Gap and Nightcap walking tracks.

You might see some rainforest locals as you’re having lunch as brightly coloured rainforest pigeons are common, as is the tiny eastern yellow robin. Small marsupials like potoroos and pademelons also live in the surrounding forest.