The Messmate Walk winds through dense messmate forest, connecting the Sugarloaf Saddle Day Visitor Area and historic Cooks Mill, the site of an old sawmill. Keep an eye out for elegant lyrebirds foraging in the fern-filled Little River Gully.

Starting from Cooks Mill, and following Tweed Spur Road for a couple of kilometres, this moderately-steep Grade 3 track is 4.5km long and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete (one way). It provides access to the challenging Wells Cave and Canyon Tracks which form part of the Cathedral Range Southern Circuit.

Alternatively, the walk can be started from Sugarloaf Saddle Day Visitor Area, slowly descending to Cooks Mill.

Visitor Tips: Check the weather conditions before setting out, and allow plenty of daylight to complete your walk. The weather on the range can change quickly and there is no shelter, so ensure you are well-equipped, and wear appropriate clothing including sturdy hiking footwear. Carry sufficient water to stay hydrated (there are no natural water sources on the trail). Phone signals are unreliable – hikers should consider carrying a radio or personal locator beacon, and don’t forget to communicate your intentions to friends or relatives before setting out. Download the Visitor Guide for more advice on safe and enjoyable walking in Cathedral Range State Park.

Restrictions: Please note this trail is for walkers only (no bicycles, pets or horses).

No bins or drinking water are provided. Please take your rubbish home for recycling or disposal and bring drinking water with you. Water from the creeks is not safe to drink and should be chemically treated or boiled for 20 minutes.

Do not undertake this walk on days of higher fire danger or when storms or strong winds are forecast. The Park is in the Central Fire District.