Walks

Walks in the botanic garden

Several stunning walks through the botanic garden provide a fabulous opportunity to experience the diverse flora of Norfolk Island.

Samson’s Circuit (120 m)

This short walk through rainforest offers great views over a valley of tree ferns.

Keep an eye out for the Samson’s sinew (also known as wild wisteria), which hangs from the tree tops.

This is a moderate walk with stairs.

Rainforest Gully Circuit (600 m)

Take a short walk through Norfolk’s cool, lush rainforest gully.

Keep an eye out for the Norfolk Island green parrot, easily distinguishable by its characteristic ‘kek-kek-kek’ call and it’s bright green feathers and red crown-patch.

This is a moderately difficult walk with some stairs and steep sections.

Tree Fern Valley Circuit (370 m)

There’s plenty to see along this walk, including huge whitewoods, some of the world’s tallest tree ferns and Norfolk Island’s climbing fern.

This is a moderate walk with a few flights of stairs.

The Boardwalk (170 m)

The elevated boardwalk passes through shady forests and open woodlands.

This is an easy walk suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.

Garden Trail (90 m)

Featuring a sample of the plants found throughout the park, this short trail is a great way to learn about Norfolk’s unique flora.

This is an easy walk suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.

Walks in the national park

With breathtaking coastal vistas and invigorating climbs, these walks offer a diverse range of scenery and experiences.

All distances are one way.

Summit Track (660 m)

Walk along the ridge between the peaks of Mt Pitt and Mt Bates, the highest points on the island.

Venture through tea-tree forest and stately Norfolk pines. Catch spectacular panoramic views across the island and along the coast.

This is a moderate walk.

Mount Bates Track (650 m)

This wide, grassy track skirts the top edge of the ridge through palm forests with amazing views to the south-east of the island.

You will be rewarded for your climb with the relics of a WWII radar station and breathtaking views to the north-west.

This is an easy walk.

Old Mountain Track (540 m)

Starting at the Mt Pitt Road entrance, this track was the main access to Mt Pitt before World War II. You can still see the remnants of a gun emplacement on this walk.

From the summit, enjoy the expansive views south over Norfolk to Phillip Island.

This is a steep, moderate walk.

Bridle Track (1.7 km)

Take the Bridle Track from the Captain Cook Monument to the intersection at Red Road Track.

Meander up and around the edge of the coastline through Norfolk Island pines, white oaks and coastal vegetation. You’ll also enjoy spectacular views of the coastline and islets.

This is a moderate walk with some steep sections.

Red Stone Link Track (700 m)

Use this track between the Bird Rock Track and Bridle Track to avoid the steep climb from the Bird Rock Lookout.

The trail passes through beautiful Norfolk pine forests and rainforests. From October to March the air is full of white terns, black noddies and red-tailed tropic birds.

This is a moderate to difficult walk with some steep sections.

Bird Rock Track (760 m)

This is one of the more challenging walks in the park.

Branching off the Bridle Track, this trail drops steeply down through pine forest to a lookout with spectacular views of the coast and Bird Rock.

You might like to consider returning via the Red Stone Link walk to avoid the steep climb back out.

This is a steep moderate to difficult walk.

Red Road Track (1.3 km)

This walk goes from the Red Road car park towards the top of Mt Bates.

Experience magnificent stands of Norfolk pine and catch glimpses of deep valleys filled with palms and ferns. This walk is also a good place to spot birds such as the Norfolk Island green parrot.

This is a moderate walk with some steep sections.

McLachlan’s Lane (650 m)

Follow the path from the park entrance on Red Road to the dry waterfall.

Look closely to see McLachlan’s old house site among the Norfolk pine and white oak forest.

At the end of the track you will discover a lush valley with a waterfall that flows after good rain.

This is a steep walk.

Palm Glen Link Track (910 m)

Enjoy the lush greenery as you stroll through one of Norfolk Island’s most spectacular rainforest gullies.

See marvellous tree ferns and stands of Norfolk palms – a palm tree found nowhere else in the world.

There are also panoramic views over the southern parts of Norfolk Island and out to Phillip Island.

This is a moderate walk.

Palm Glen Track (290 m)

This link walk connects the Palm Glen Circuit Track with the Red Road Track.

Along the way, you’ll see beautiful stands of native Norfolk palm among the giant tree ferns. You might also spot the large and very old bastard oak (Ungeria floribunda), which is endemic to Norfolk.

This is an easy walk.

Ranger-guided walks

Every Monday at 1.30 pm, there is a free ranger-guided walk at the Botanic Garden. This 30-minute tour will introduce you to some of Norfolk Island's most interesting and iconic plant species.