It is part of Parks Week 2015 celebrations and National Parks and Wildlife Dorrigo Plateau’s area manager Janelle Brooks said Brinerville is now part of New England National Park and contains areas of spectacular sub-tropical rainforest, the headwaters of the Bellinger River and historical relics from the early pioneers of the upper Bellinger Valley.

“The weekend is a unique opportunity to soak up this beautiful natural landscape, learn about its rich cultural past and future and help efforts to regenerate areas of lowland subtropical rainforest.  Ranger-guided activities over the weekend include Wilderquest nature games, Aboriginal bushtucker, tools and weapons with Gumbaynggirr Elder Uncle Mark Flanders, riverside birdwatching walk, ranger campfire stories and tree planting”, Janelle said.

In a related Parks Week event, NPWS Discovery coordinator Andrew Turbill also announced bookings are now open for a ranger guided, overnight youth hike starting from Point Lookout and travelling through the remote New England Wilderness to arrive at Brinerville, in time to join the community open weekend. 

“This incredible overnight backpacking experience will be supported by amazing youth leaders from the much acclaimed Bellingen EYE program in a partnership between NPWS and the Centre for Ecological Learning.  We are looking for youth between 16 and 25 years old who love adventure and have access to some basic hiking gear.  Cost of the walk is $90, which includes all meals and transport to Point Lookout,” said Andrew.

Numbers for both the Brinerville Open Weekend and the Youth Wilderness Hike are strictly limited so bookings are essential. For more information visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parksweek or call the NPWS office at Dorrigo on 6657-2309.