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Dog owners are reminded that all dogs within the Rocky Creek Dam Rainforest and Water Reserve are to be on-leash at all times.
To download the brochure for Rocky Creek Dam click here.
On the shores of Rocky Creek Dam, a grassy picnic area winds its way through stands of shady rainforest trees. There are picnic tables and gas barbecues, a sheltered picnic area and plenty of room for the kids to run around. Close to the carpark and amenities block, there is an adventurous forest playground and the start of several walks. Along these walks, you will find more beautiful picnic spots in hidden rainforest glades.
Other picnic spots can be found on the Catchment Loop Drive, and there are picnic areas with barbecues and facilities at Rummery Park (camping area), Minyon Falls (with views on a clear day to the ocean from the top of the waterfall) and Minyon Grass (with spectacular views of Minyon Falls).
There are five beautiful walks that you can do from Rocky Creek Dam picnic area.
For a map and description of each walk from the picnic area, please download this Info Sheet #13 - Rous County Council Rainforest Reserve.
Other walks nearby, all accessible from the Catchment Loop Drive, include:
For brief descriptions of each walk and a map of their locations, please download Info Sheet 12: Catchment Loop Drive and Walks.
Please note: The Catchment Loop Drive is currently CLOSED. This is subject to periodic review according to road conditions. Contact NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information.
When open, the Catchment Loop Drive allows you to drive on the roads on the very edge of the drinking water catchment area, from Rocky Creek Dam picnic area through some of the spectacular forests of the Nightcap Range. It is a 22km drive from the dam to Minyon Falls. The drive is a narrow dirt road suitable for two-wheel drives in dry weather.
For a map and detailed description of the drive, please download Info Sheet 12: Catchment Loop Drive and Walks.
Be the eyes and ears for Australia’s climate researchers at Rocky Creek Dam. Use the recently developed ClimateWatch Guide on the Platypus Walk at the dam and help shape the country’s response to climate change by monitoring our local environment. Find out more on the ClimateWatch website or download the Recording Sheet and Field Guide prior to your walk.
This beautiful 60m walk winds its way from the carpark through the picnic area and rainforest to a lookout over the dam. On the way, you will discover new things about your place in the water cycle and how you can help care for our shared water supply.
You can learn about these things by reading the colourful sculptural signs complete with illustrations, photos and messages from our forest creatures. Each sign has a matching info sheet that you can take along on your walk to get a deeper understanding of each topic. These info sheets are available free from the Rous County Council office in Lismore, or you can download them here to print at home.
This adventure playground is nestled under rainforest trees in the picnic area at Rocky Creek Dam. Each part of the playground teaches kids and parents something different about the forest and the water cycle. Learning adventures include the Water Cycle slippery dip; the Cyclone spinner; and the Web of Life rope climbing pyramid. There is a range of playground equipment, suitable for kids over 3 years old.
You can download our Forest Playground Games for a detailed description of each learning adventure before you get there.
This open-air building at Rocky Creek Dam picnic area has been created for picnics sheltered from the sun and rain, and as a learning centre to host classes and workshop groups.
The beautiful mural showcases Rocky Creek Dam as a 'jewel in the heart of the rainforest' and is an accurate teaching tool about the catchment. Rainwater collected from the roof is used to flush the toilets as a demonstration of water efficiency. Water poetry written by local residents is displayed with photos from the catchment area. A movable water level sign indicates how full the dam is at the time of your visit.
The Water Walk Guide: Rocky Creek Dam
This beautifully photographed and illustrated book is an important source of information about our place in the water cycle. It is also a guide to the Water Walk at Rocky Creek Dam, including educational experiences for your head, heart and hands. 82pages. $22.00
Njabai (Water): A Widjabul Creation Story
A traditional story told by Aboriginal custodians of our water catchments about the importance of water to all living things. Illustrated with Widjabul and other artwork, and historical photographs. This story is told in English and Bundjalung Nation dialect. 20 pages and DVD. $13.75