Middle Brother National Park

Tall, stately, magnificent forest, with glimpses of the coast to the east, and native birds circling overhead; this is Middle Brother National Park. It's heavily wooded with old growth and subtropical rainforest that sometimes floods with mist in early mornings. North Brother Mountain rises in the distance, while creeks and waterfalls scattered through the valleys lend the area a tranquil harmony. Come here to escape the jungle of Port Macquarie, with a packed lunch, and leave your stresses and concerns behind.

Middle Brother was created to protect two of the largest (by volume) coastal blackbutt trees in NSW Bird Tree and Benaroon. Bird Tree, for example, is 69 metres high, with a girth of 11 metres. Scientists estimate it's an astonishing 300 years old, meaning it predates the arrival of Captain Cook to Australia.

Visitors will find an easy stroll to the trees, perfect for walking with children, and tables for picnicking afterwards to while away a quiet afternoon. There's excellent wildlife viewing both day and night, and intrepid hikers will want to pack the boots and GPS for some wild backcountry bushwalking.