Barrington Tops National Park is located in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, within the World Heritage Site Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
In 2007, the park was added to the Australian National Heritage List. The park has been shaped by volcanic flow from about 40 million years ago, and is one of the last places in New South Wales where Antarctic Beech Forests remain. These cool, temperate rainforests signify Gondwanan links to ancient forests of New Zealand and Chile. Barrington Tops National Park is a beautiful park with a vast range of scenery, a multitude of walks, great picnic spots, and easy access to fishing and camping.
Barrington Tops National Park also lies on the boundary of three different Aboriginal territories. These territories are the Worimi people of the south-east, the Biripi people of the east, and the Wonnarua people of the west. In 1876, Saxby discovered gold in Copeland, about forty-two kilometers east of Barrington Tops National Park, and began a gold rush in the area. There were about 1100 people that fled to the town, built 51 mines and produced approximately 11 tons of gold.
Best Nature Walks in Barrington Tops National Park
The Gloucester Tops circuit combines three popular scenic walks into a seven kilometre journey. Beginning at Gloucester Fall picnic area, make sure to be on the lookout for wallabies and kangaroos in their natural habitat. If you prefer a longer walk, Careys Peak track is the one for you. Spreading over fourteen kilometres, Careys Peak contains snow gums and mountain gums along the way.
The Aeroplane Hill walking track lies in a unique sub-alpine environment, which allows its rare plants to happily exist. Corker trail is a twenty-kilometre, high altitude trail that exists through rugged bushland. Finally, the Barruga Swamp walking track is an iconic destination in the south of the park. The Barruga Swamp is a spectacular rainforest that is home to remote wilderness views.
No matter which trail you choose to embark on, you are sure to see incredible plants, landscapes, and creatures.
Historical Towns to Visit Around the Park
If you crave something to do other than nature walks, there are plenty of historical towns to visit in the park’s surrounding area. Dungog, about forty kilometers south of the park, is a historic city that boasts James Theatre, the oldest cinema in Australia. James Theatre screened its first films in 1912 and was the social hub of Dungog, hosting balls and dances for the town. The Dungog town walk spans through Dowling Street, where you will find many beautiful historic buildings along the way. The blue plaques along the street can lead you on a self-guided walking tour, with highlights including the Dungog Inn, the former School of Arts, James Theatre, and Coolalie.
If you are looking for a lively country town, Gloucester is a great option. It is about seventy-six kilometers from Barrington Tops, situated between the Avon, Gloucester, and Barrington Rivers under a range of large hills known as The Bucketts. Gloucester Gallery hosts monthly exhibitions of various artists. If you are feeling adventurous, paddling on the Barrington River is a popular choice for travelers.
Another town around the park is Copeland, the former Gold Rush town. You can visit the Mountain Maid Gold Mine at Copeland Tops State Conservation Area, where you can peek inside the mine shaft, walk through historic buildings, and see a gold cart up close. Immersive tours at the mine allow visitors to feel as though they were part of the gold rush.
Breathtaking Lookouts
While nature walks allow visitors to experience beautiful scenery, lookouts are also popular within Barrington Tops National Park. The most famous lookout in the park is Thunderbolts lookout, which can be found at the end of a short and easy walk. Its incredible views give tourists a small taste of the breathtaking beauty of the park.
The highest lookout in the park, Careys peak, is also a desired view. More popular lookouts include Devils hole, Andrew Laurie Lookout, and Cobark Lookout. Because there is a wide variety of nature walks and lookout spots, Barrington Tops National Park proves to be a family-friendly and accessible place for your next adventure. In addition, the charming historical towns surrounding the park promise endless activities to do after you finish exploring the rainforests.
Interested in reading more about the Hunter Valley? Check out the best places to play and stay by clicking here.
