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Byron Shire
July 5, 2025

Who doesn’t love a Unicorn?

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Unicorn Falls. Photo Dean Trezise.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) seeks comments on its master plan for Unicorn Falls in Mount Jerusalem National Park in northern NSW by 13 July.

Acting Director North Coast Janelle Brooks said that NPWS would love to hear from the public on the Unicorn Falls Master Plan, which is part of the larger Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails project.

‘This plan will guide the development of a day-use area at Unicorn Falls as well as a small campground nearby, next to Manns Road,’ said Ms Brooks.

‘The Unicorn Falls master plan is one of four plans in the Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails project, which aim to increase nature-based tourism, boost regional visitor economies and improve community wellbeing.’

Unicorn Falls is around 15 kms south-east of Uki on South Chowan Road in Mount Jerusalem National Park, and the small day-use area will enable visitors to more easily enjoy the beauty of Unicorn Falls and the surrounding rainforest environment.

‘Planned works include basic facilities for day visitors, picnic table, toilet and seven parking spots – which will protect natural and cultural values from informal visitation impacts at Unicorn Falls.

Copies of the master plan can be downloaded at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/consult and comments can be submitted online, via email or letter. Printed plans can be seen at:

  • NPWS Murwillumbah office – 1/135 Murwillumbah St, Murwillumbah
  • NPWS Byron Bay office – Tallow Beach Road, Byron Bay.

Exhibition closes on Monday 13 July 2020. Learn more at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/consult.


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3 COMMENTS

  1. Well Ms Brooks, you could start by using the name it’s been known as for decades – Unicorn Hole, it’s a waterhole, not a waterfall.

    But it is bizarre – building a remote campsite on a roadside in rainforest next to a pristine mountain stream where locals have been complaining about bush doofs and other illegal behaviour like dogs, fires and camping since it became a National Park 20+ years ago. The message this sends out is: just persist with all your illegal behaviours and eventually NPWS will stop enforcing their laws and reward you with exactly what is not needed…. What next? a motocross track in Mt Jerusalem for all the illegal trail bikes they do nothing about? Leash-free dog exercise areas at Tallows?

    As for the “feedback” component – it’s a bit far down the track to “consult”. This is just a box ticking exercise. NPWS has already decided – even though it’s not in their Plan of Management, and without any public consultation – this is what they’re going to do to satisfy the Uki Bushwalking Club who had secret meetings with them. I guess they learned public consultation from Byron Council – tell them what you’re going to do, give them no option, ignore all objections and do it anyway, and to hell with what is good for the environment.

    Uki Bushwalkers will rue the day they screwed up something special in their own backyard with something not wanted or needed. NPWS is complicit with this pathetic over-development. And just like Protestor’s Falls all the frogs will die from people loving it to death, swimming while wearing sunscreen and insecticide, and accidentally introducing chytrid fungus. Then 15 years too late those wise NPWS custodians of our environment will say “all the frogs and marom are gone from here too, we better stop this.” Maybe there were Mitchell’s Snails there once too?

    Write your submissions and tell them to pull their heads in, do their job protecting what’s left and stop pandering to the instagram tourist dollar that trashes the joint for the benefit of a few.

  2. We have some very special natural places here on the north coast. Best to leave them as they are for nature.
    I have lived in the area for 35 years and didn’t know about Unicorn although have spent Many years walking, exploring and photographing the forests, it’s obviously been a well kept secret for many.
    Now I know and because of plans to develop the area many others now know of its existence which I’m guessing will change this wonderful place forever. We have plenty of nice spots like Minion falls area already catering for tourists etc .
    As I said we have very special natural areas here, I strongly recommend they be left alone.

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