National Parks - Upper Hunter Country

Upper Hunter Country is encircled by magnificent National Parks, Nature Reserves, Wilderness Areas and State Forests.

These areas are home to flora, fauna and wildlife of all different species, some are even endangered.

Each National Park, Nature reserve, Wilderness area or State Park features something unique; whether it be the world heritage listed Barrington Tops; the never-ending burning coal seam of Burning Mountain; the picturesque landscape within Goulburn River National Park; the endandgered species living in Mt Royal National Park; or the cedar brush and washpools of Towarri National Park. And let’s not forget the largest wilderness area in NSW – Wollemi National Park.

For more information about National Parks in Upper Hunter Country visit: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.

Barrington Tops National Park

Wilderness, rainforest, wild rivers, steep ridges are words that describe the magnificent World Heritage listed Barrington Tops. Barrington Tops National Park lies north of Newcastle and between Scone, Dungog and Gloucester.

The area appeals to those simply wanting to take it easy and enjoy the view and to others seeking adventure in wild and scenic country.

The varied plant life of the park ranges from sub tropical rainforest and Antarctic Beech rainforest to subalpine grasslands and swamp and the park is home to over 390 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.

The Barrington Tops plateau has a host of facilities accessible to the visitor via Scone. Enjoy the scenic drive along Barrington Tops Forest Road and stop off at many of the lookouts for fantastic views over the Hunter Valley. There are plenty of picnic areas for the day traveller and for those seeking a wilderness experience; camping facilities are available at Polblue, Horse Swamp, Junction Pools, Little Murray, Devils Hole, Gummi Falls, Manning River, Dilgry and Banksia.

Of course your trip to Barington Tops wouldn’t be complete without experiencing one of the many walks or hikes on offer throughout the park ranging from easy strolls to more difficult treks.

Burning Mountain Nature Reserve

A must see attraction that all ages can enjoy. Burning mountain is one of only three underground naturally burning coal seams in the world.

The slowly burning coal seam is believed to be 30m under the surface and evidence of it’s affect on the landscape can be seen on the surface.

Located just 20 km north of Scone, a guided walking track leads you from the car park to the viewing platform at the top of Burning Mountain for a safe vantage point to view the exhaust vents and rock.

The walk takes approximately an hour and a half to complete and is signposted with information panels about the history of the mountain. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the picnic facilities provided at the reserve.

The Burning Mountain Area was once the country of the Indigenous Wanaruah people of the Upper Hunter and it was the place where traditional ceremonies were held.

There is a marked 4.6km round walk through the bushland. The track is marked out and is easy to follow and there are small signs giving you brief information about the area. It is located 20kms north of Scone along the New England Highway. Scone is about two hours north west of Newcastle and about two hours south of Tamworth. At the top is the open burning coal seam.

Along the way you will come across many native eucalypts, stringy barks, grey gums and some ironbarks. You may come across some of the fauna such as kangaroos, possums, goannas, wallaroos and echidnas as well as insects and skinks.

There is camping allowed in the car park area. There are toilet facilities, picnic tables and wood BBQ’s available but no wood is supplied nor is there potable water.

Goulburn River National Park

Welcome to Goulburn River National Park where you are likely to see eastern grey kangaroos, wombats, emus, red necked wallabies and a multitude of birds including turquoise parrots, wedge tailed eagles and glossy black cockatoos.

Goulburn River National Park is located west of Muswellbrook, South of Merriwa and east of Mudgee. The river is the main feature of the park meandering between rugged sandstone cliffs honeycombed with caves for much of its length. At other places, the river flows beside flat, wide sandy river banks offering easy walking trails.

This park offers many activities for the visitor. Best camping spots for bush camping are Spring Gully and Big River which are close to the river and provide BBQs and picnic tables. Bring your bathers for a dip in one of the many swimming holes or bring the canoe for a paddle along the river gorge. There are many opportunities for spectacular views over the park. Walk the short easy trail up to Lees Pinch Lookout or for the active hiker try Mount Dangar Lookout. Don’t forget to bring the camera!

Towarri National Park

Towarri National Park and Wingen Maid Nature Reserve cover a rugged part of the Liverpool Range and contain an incredible variety of plants and wildlife including Snow Gums, Grass Trees, Spinifex and River Oak. Towarri is located just 21kms from Scone.

If you are keen on bird-watching, look out for Powerful Owls, Gliders, Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, Kingfishers, Glossy Black Cockatoos and Rosellas. Enjoy the Washpools campsite and picnic area with basic facilities provided.

Even the drive into the park is amazing as the Wingen Maid is visible from the road. The ancestral figure of the Wingen Maid is important to the Wonnarua people who were the first people to live in this area. Legend has it that a woman sat and waited for her warrior husband to return from battle at the end of a sandstone cliff. Distraught when he did not return, she asked Biami to take her life. Biami took pity on her and instead turned her to stone. As she turned to stone, her tears rolled down the hillside and burst into flames, igniting and forming the famous Burning Mountain across the valley.

Swimming at the Washpools. There is a viewing platform near the picnic area. Bushwalking – explore the river oak-lined Middle Brook. Bushwalking elsewhere in the Park is for experienced bushwalkers only, but keen trekkers will be rewarded with spectacular views from the ridge tops. No formed walking trail system currently exists.

It is located slightly north west of Scone about 20kms. At the traffic lights in Scone turn left and go over the railway line and at the next roundabout take the right as signposted and follow the road for around 20kms. The last 7kms is dirt and keep an eye out for trucks that use this road.

A large variety of plants such as Snow Gums, Grass Trees, Spinifex and River oaks. You may also catch a glimpse of the Powerful Owls, Yellow Tufted Honeyeaters and gliders that live in the area. There are camping grounds available as well as a picnic area. Both areas have toilet facilities and the picnic area has BBQ areas. The Wingen Maid can also be seen from parts of the roads.

Wollemi National Park

Welcome to NSW’s largest wilderness area covering 492,220ha.- a spectacular maze of deep canyons, rocky cliffs and undisturbed forest. Wildlife abounds in this national park with a rich variety of diverse species including eastern grey kangaroos, brush tailed wallabies, wombats, echidnas, gliders, geckos, wedge tailed eagle and a variety of snakes including the rare broad headed snake.

Wollemi stretches from Denman all the way down to Lithgow and forms part of the Blue Mountains. Access into Wollemi from Upper Hunter Country is via Bulga and the Putty road, Baerami and Widden Valley.

Discover breathtaking views of sandstone ridges and escarpments around Widden Valley, explore patches of temperate rainforests in the narrow gorges at the headwaters of Blackwater creek, and admire an important historic site at Baerami creek featuring machinery and other relics of a turn-of-the century oil shale mine.