Aaron Harber, Acting Dorrigo Plateau Area Manager, is encouraging local community members to tag along and explore a couple of the local parks, right on Dorrigo’s back doorstep.

“This tour is a terrific opportunity for locals and visitors alike to come along and discover a little of the fascinating history of the forests that surround Dorrigo,” he said.

Billed as the ‘Big Tree Explorer’, the tour will begin at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre before heading out to Bostobrick. Following the Moonpar Forest Drive and taking in some short walks within Cascade National Park and Nymboi Binderay National Park, the tour finishes at the old timber town of Cascade.

“This is a great opportunity to view some of the tallest brushbox and tallowwood trees remaining on the Dorrigo Plateau,” Mr Harber said.

“The bitumen is left behind at Bostobrick. After a short drive, the first stop is at the unforgettable Norman Jolly Memorial Grove, where there is a new picnic area and short rainforest walk.

“Other short walks will take the participants back to the 1930’s when all the hard work was done on the end of a crosscut saw and the timber was carted to the mills by bullock teams and steam-propelled trams.

“New interpretive signs help explain the old technique known as ‘high lead logging’ and identify the relics of the tramway that extended into the forests from Briggsvale.

Participants will need to bring their lunch, drinks and suitable footwear for the easy but unsealed walks. The cost of the tour, which includes morning tea, a map and park brochure is $50 per vehicle. Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre on 02 66 572309.