The Big Scrub

The Big Scrub originally covered around 900 square kilometres of the Bundjalung & Githabul nations across Northern NSW. It is estimated that 1% of the original Big Scrub remains.

Classed as a subtropical rainforest, it has a canopy dominated by trees like White Booyong, Moreton Bay Fig and the prized Australian Red Cedar. In the understorey you might find Bangalow palms, walking stick palms and native lillies.

These magnificent forests were remarkably altered as a new wave of Europeans arrived in the area in the 1800s, with a thirst for timber that seemed impossible to quench. Using the waterways as their primary means of transport, the original cedar-getters would travel upriver in search of lumber.

These Gondwanan era forests allow us a window into the complex ecosystems that thrived not so long ago in this unique corner of the world. Out here you can hear the call of the Wompoo Fruit Dove as they fly in the canopy between towering giants.