Take a walk on the wildlife side

IT'S NOT too wet and it's not too hot, so there is every reason for families to get out and explore the exquisite natural environment of the Northern Rivers during the spring school holiday.

Where to go? The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is on hand with its action-packed Discovery program of walks, talks and tours.

Guided by a Discovery ranger, there'll be activites in the Border Ranges, Nightcap and Bundjalung National Parks, as well as at the Whian Whian State Conservation Area and the Broken Head and Iluka Nature reserves.

NPWS community relations ranger Kerrie Metzler said the program starts next Monday, September 24, with the Boggy Creek Walk at Rummery Park Camping Area in the Nightcap National Park from 10am to 2pm.

"Take a stroll through the glorious blackbutt forest, and meander along the waterfalls and pools of the beautiful Boggy Creek to Minyon Falls," Kerrie said.

"Maybe stay a bit longer to enjoy a picnic at the end of the tour."

On Tuesday there's a guided walk through rainforest and eucalypt forest at Sheepstation Creek to Brushbox Falls in the Border Ranges, following the old bullock trail. Or there's a walk along the steep cliffs of the Broken Head Nature Reserve, with the chance of seeing humpback whales and their new calves heading south.

Stories around the campfire after dark at Black Rock with a Bundjalung guide will be a highlight on Wednesday night; earlier in the day there's a choice of walks at Flat Rock and Woody Head.

Activities go through both weeks of the holidays. There are small fees and bookings are essential. For full details, go to www.nationalparks. nsw.gov.au. To make a booking, call 6627 0200.