Hinterland day trips in May: Minyon Falls, Nightcap, and what's open

Autumn rain usually has the falls running properly. Bring closed shoes — leech season is real.

By Byron Bay Backpackers editorial team

May is one of the better months to do the Byron hinterland properly. After good autumn rain, Minyon Falls (Nightcap National Park) runs at full flow — the 100m drop is dramatic when it's full, underwhelming when it's a trickle. Best viewed from the Minyon Falls Picnic Area lookout.

The Minyon Falls walking track is 13 km return / 3-4 hours, Grade 3. Closed shoes mandatory in autumn — leech season has started. The Protesters Falls track in Terania Creek is a more manageable 1.4 km return, no swimming permitted (endangered Fleay's barred frog habitat).

Killen Falls near Tintenbar is swimmable and currently looking good. Don't climb Wollumbin (Mt Warning) — the summit track has been closed since 2020, and NPWS says any decision on its future will follow the wishes of Aboriginal custodians. The short Lyrebird track near the base, which leads to a rainforest lookout, is the respectful alternative.

For those without a car: Grasshoppers Eco Tours run the full-day Nightcap + Minyon + Nimbin combo. Solo travellers, this is the cheaper-than-renting-a-car option.