Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, a new 42-kilometre multi-day walk stretching from the new Unicorn Falls car park in Mount Jerusalem National Park to Minyon Falls in northern New South Wales, is providing walkers with a four-day bushwalking and rainforest experience.
However, some walkers aren’t happy.
The trail, which NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said would be a “world-class bushwalking experience” to help foster advocacy for environmental conservation and sustainability, is coming under fire for the costs involved.
According to the NPWS website, a night of camping costs A$173, so to complete the hike while camping, a A$692 fee applies if booking for four nights. There are tours available, with Connect Adventures’ four-day pack-free hike costs A$2,165 per person, while Vision Walks Eco-Tours provides a four-day glamping experience for A$3,200 per person.
The Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, and the new shorter walks linked to it, provide opportunities for a range of visitors to enjoy three conservation areas – Mount Jerusalem National Park, Whian Whian State Conservation Area and Nightcap National Park.
The route includes 28.4 kilometres of existing walking tracks, park management trails and old logging trails, which have been upgraded to walking track standard, and 10.8 kilometres of newly constructed walking track.
Three new remote, walk-in camps have been built to provide basic facilities such as tent platforms, shelters and toilets. These camps have been designed to accommodate a sustainable number of low-impact walkers.
The track’s name – Gidjuum Gulganyi – was decided by Widjabul Wia-bal native title holders and the Wollumbin Consultative Group. It means ‘Old People’s Track’, in recognition that the trail passes through the ancient traditional lands of the Bundjalung Nation, who have occupied the area for many thousands of years.
The 3-night, 4-day Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, which was originally planned for completion in mid-2024, forms part of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service network of 13 Great Walks across New South Wales.
