Walks in the Park
One of the walking trails through the Park.
Experience natural Norfolk Island on the walking tracks of Norfolk Island National Park. Tracks wind through lush palm forests and stands of Norfolk Island Pine. Some lead visitors to remarkable views of the island and the surrounding ocean.
All of the tracks offer a unique walking experience. The tracks have a range of gradings and lengths. The walking times indicated on the signs along the track are for a one way journey. Sufficient time has been allowed for you to walk at an easy pace with stops.
- See also Maps of Norfolk Island for a map of the walking trails.
Disabled Access
The Botanic Garden has a boardwalk installed at the top of the Garden which has been especially constructed to cater for wheelchair access. This is also popular for those who are unable to climb the steps or attempt walking up the various steep paths within the Park.
Safe Walking
- Native animals and plants are protected in the park. Please do not disturb them.
- Because of the possible danger to pedestrians and horse riders please don't use mountainbikes, cars, quad-bikes and motor bikes on walking tracks (Park Service and emergency vehicles are permitted).
- Please take your rubbish with you when you leave the park.
- Please remain on the walking tracks. Even minor deviations may get you lost (in which case you should walk uphill until you come across a clear track or road).
Bridle Track
The Bridle Track starts at Captain Cook Monument and meanders up and around the edge of the coastline, eventually intersecting the Red Road Track. The walk directly through to Red Road Track takes approximately 50 minutes. The Bridle Track also links with both the Red Stone Link Track and the Bird Rock Track, thereby providing an opportunity to complete a loop walk.
| An easy walk | 1.6 km | 50 min |
Red Stone (Bird Rock) Link Track
This is a moderate to steeply graded walk between Bird Rock Track and the Bridle Track. It derives its name from the local name used for Bird Rock. The track is best utilised to avoid the steep climb out of the Bird Rock lookout area.
Bird Rock lies a little offshore on the northern coast and can be viewed from the grassy headland where the Red Stone Link Track and Bird Rock Track meet. From October to March the air abounds with wheeling White Terns and Black Noddies.
| An easy walk | 700m | 30 min |
Bird Rock Track
A moderate to steeply graded walk to a cliff top overlooking Bird Rock. This walk is best utilised by walking down the track from the Bridle Track towards Bird Rock, and then walking out the Red Stone Link Track to meet again with the Bridle Track.
The reverse journey walking up Bird Rock Track towards the Bridle Track is steep and quite difficult. This track is the most challenging of the walking tracks in the park, because of the consistent slope when it is undertaken uphill from Bird Rock.
| A moderately difficult, steep walk | 760m | 40 min |
Old Mountain Track
A moderate to steeply graded walk from the Mount Pitt Road entrance up Mt Pitt. The Old Mountain track was the main access to Mt Pitt prior to World War II. The track is now used as a direct route from the park entrance to Mt Pitt. Much of the area was once infested with introduced trees and shrubs which have become weeds. These are gradually being removed and replaced with native species as part of a rehabilitation programme. The views from the top of this track, looking south over Norfolk to Phillip Island, are well worth the effort.
| A moderate, steep walk | 540 m | 30 min |
West Palm Glen Track
This is a gentle to moderately graded walk through native palm and tree fern forest. A pleasant walk from the Palm Glen carpark. The West Palm Glen track is a circuit that begins with steps down through thick Bracken Fern into a dense forest. There are a few treeferns to begin with, but they are soon outnumbered by Norfolk Island Palms.
| An easy walk | 500m | 30 min |
Palm Glen Track
A moderately graded walk from the Palm Glen carpark towards Mt Bates. The track passes a large and very old specimen of one of Norfolk's rarest trees, the Bastard Oak - Ungeria floribunda. Palm Glen also offers a spectacular view over the southern end of Norfolk Island and beyond to Phillip Island. This track also features some good stands of the native Norfolk Palm - Rhopalostylis baueri.
| A moderate walk | 640m | 40 min |
Red Road Track
A moderately graded walk with some steep eroded sections along the ridge towards Mt Bates. The track features some good stands of Norfolk Pine.
| A moderate walk | 1.7 km | 1 hr |
Summit Track
The Central peaks of Norfolk Island, and indeed the National Park, are Mt Pitt and Mt Bates and both are clothed in stately Norfolk Island pines. The Summit Track is a moderately graded walk along the ridgetop from Mt Pitt Road (near the summit) to Mt Bates. Openings in the forest along the route provide extensive views across Norfolk Island.
| An easy to moderate walk | 500 m | 30 min |
Mount Bates Track
A gentle to moderately graded walk along an old road with views of the south-east and adjoining native forest in places. The Mt Bates track skirts the top edge of the ridge between Mt Pitt and Mt Bates and continues to the base of Mt Bates from where wooden steps lead to the top. The climb is rewarded with breathtaking views over the north-west of the island. Excavations at the top are relics of a WWII radar station.
| An easy to moderate walk with steps | 620m | 30 min |
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