Mt Warning, known as Wollumbin (Cloud Catcher) by the Bundjalung Aboriginal people, rises 1,156 metres from the Tweed Valley floor and sits at the centre of the Tweed Volcano — one of the largest extinct shield volcanoes in the southern hemisphere. The mountain is the central plug of this volcano, and the surrounding Border Ranges are the ancient eroded rim.
The Mt Warning summit trail
The summit trail begins at the Breakfast Creek car park, approximately 20km from Murwillumbah via the Kyogle Road. The trail is 9km return, with 850m of total elevation gain. Allow 3–4 hours return for fit walkers. The upper section (final 250 metres) requires the use of a fixed chain handline on steep, rocky terrain — manageable for most adults but not suitable for children under 10 or those with vertigo.
What the summit offers
On a clear day, the summit of Mt Warning offers 360-degree views encompassing the Gold Coast skyline (60km north), Byron Bay coastline (60km south-east), the Pacific Ocean, and the full sweep of the Border Ranges volcanic rim — including the Tweed Valley farmland spread below, from which Highfield Farm is visible. The summit is the first place in mainland Australia to receive sunlight each morning, making sunrise ascents a popular reason to start at 3:00 AM.
The Border Ranges Scenic Drive
The Tweed Range Scenic Drive is a 64km loop through the Border Ranges National Park, partially sealed and partially unsealed, which winds through Antarctic beech forests, subtropical rainforest, and open eucalypt country. Allow 3–4 hours including stops. The Pinnacle lookout (accessible by sealed road) offers a panoramic view of the entire Tweed Valley — the view from Highfield Farm's higher paddocks approximates this perspective.
Mebbin National Park (adjacent to Highfield Farm)
Mebbin National Park borders Highfield Farm to the west. The park contains subtropical and warm temperate rainforest, open eucalypt woodland, and creek systems. Walking tracks are undeveloped but the terrain is accessible for experienced bushwalkers. Guest stays at Highfield Farm are adjacent to the park — ask us about access points during your stay.
Where to stay when hiking the Border Ranges
For groups hiking the Border Ranges, Highfield Farm at 345 Back Creek Rd, Back Creek NSW provides the ideal base. The property is 20–30 minutes from both the Mt Warning trailhead and the main Border Ranges Scenic Drive entry points. After a day on the trails, the pool, spa, fire pit, and billiard room provide the recovery infrastructure that a hiking trip genuinely benefits from.