Fast facts
- A 25-km plateau set among extinct volcanoes and lush valleys
- Famous for its World Heritage-listed wilderness
- Two-and-a-half hours’ drive north of Sydney
Why go there
Barrington Tops is an unspoilt wilderness covering more than 1,200 sq km of land. Bushwalking trails in this wonderful natural expanse take you from subtropical rainforest to ancient beech forests and subalpine woodlands. If you’re lucky, you might spot a lyrebird or a satin bowerbird.
In the midst of the wilderness you’ll find a range of accommodation, from camping spots to rustic cottages and mountain retreats.
Many of the villages in the area were settled in the early 19th century and they still evoke the colourful history of the region, which included a vigorous timber industry, gold prospecting and ship-building.
Things to do
- Explore the subtropical rainforest with its native flora, flowing rivers and extinct volcanic peaks.
- Follow the Farm Gate Trail and sample local produce, such as cheese and wine, fresh perch and lavender products.
- Enjoy delicious cuisine at country cafés in Barrington, Dungog, Gloucester and Stroud.
- Go whitewater rafting or take a 4WD expedition in Dungog or Gloucester.
- Soak up the views at Devils Hole, the best lookout in the Barrington Tops National Park.
Don’t miss
- Boutique wineries at Gresford and Stroud.
- Cattle mustering on horseback, with stockmen as your guides, in the northern Barrington foothills.
- Picnicking with llamas at the Camelot Lavender and Llama Farm.
- Hebblewhite’s Bakery and Garner’s General Store, Gloucester – both have been in business for more than 130 years.
- Monkerai Bridge, in the Dungog State Forest, the second oldest timber truss bridge in NSW.
Events
- Dungog Shire Autumn Festival, Dungog, in March and April.
- Shakespeare on Avon Festival, Gloucester, in May.
- Gresford Rodeo, Gresford, in August.
- Pedalfest, Dungog, in September.
