Barrington Tops Area

Into the mystic

Spend a day in the ancient rainforests of Barrington Tops National Park and you’ll feel the world melt away. Choose your own path here – find a perch to meditate by a running river, bushwalk into the mystic for hours, or find a different kind of rhythm in a kayak. When the sun begins to set, the towns of Dungog and Gloucester will welcome you with open arms.

Rainforest and bushwalks

The Barrington Tops National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, where volcanic flows shaped the incredible wilderness millions of years ago. Enjoy the scenery here on many invigorating bushwalks. There are also great adventure tours for kayaking, abseiling and mountain biking.

At the foothills of Barrington Tops, Chichester State Forest is a stunning location on the Allyn River with dog-friendly camping sites. Trout fishing is also popular around the rivers of Gloucester between October and June. Enjoy a cool dip in Ladies Well on a warm day, or hike and picnic at nearby Mount Royal National Park.

Alpacas in the scenic countryside surrounding Dungog, Barrington Tops

Countryside around Dungog near Barrington Tops

Gold rush heritage

In 1876 gold fever struck the region, and you can discover fascinating tales on the Copeland Historic Gold Mine Tour of the Mountain Maid mine. The magnificent wilderness and mountain ranges near Gloucester were used by the colonial bushranger Captain Thunderbolt to hide, and Thunderbolts lookout is named after the outlaw.

Dungog’s main street is an urban conservation area, with architectural gems from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Dungog Museum is in the heritage-listed former School of Arts, erected in 1898. The Spanish Mission-style James Theatre is the oldest purpose-built cinema still operating in Australia.

Crowds enjoying entertainment at The Annual Gresford Rodeo & Campdraft, Dungog Festival, Dungog

The Annual Gresford Rodeo & Campdraft, Dungog

Cellar doors & markets

Enjoy wine tasting at cellar doors and browse vibrant markets. Check out the events calendar for exciting rodeos, country shows and the Dungog Festival. The Barrington Trail is open to 4WD between October and May, with access to Little Murray campground, Junction Pools campground and Mount Barrington picnic area.

Canoeing the Barrington River with Barrington Outdoor Adventures, Barrington Tops National Park

Barrington River, Barrington Tops National Park

Getting there

This magnificent region is part of the Barrington Coast and close to the Upper Hunter. It’s only a few hours’ drive north from Sydney and a quick trip from Newcastle and Port Stephens. Trains stop at Paterson, Dungog and Gloucester. You can also fly into Newcastle Airport for the 50min drive to Dungog. (Please note that ongoing road closures may be in place around Barrington Tops – check LiveTraffic for the latest updates.)

 

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