VISITORS to Barrington Tops National
Park and neighbouring Chichester State
Forest will be spoilt for choice with what
is on offer here for the off-road tourer.
Fantastic camping (including some of
Australia’s highest-altitude campgrounds),
bushwalks, mountain biking, fishing, some
of the country’s most spectacular rainforest
(including Antarctic beech trees), and
vistas from myriad lookouts all mean a
long weekend will barely do it justice.
Around four hours’ drive north of
Sydney, these destinations are best
accessed from the south via the township
of Dungog. Chichester State Forest’s
eastern (Telegherry) section (it is split by a
southern section of Barrington Tops NP) is
only around 20km north from Dungog (via
Chichester Dam Road, then Wangat Road)
and offers four riverside campgrounds.
Be aware that there are numerous
causeways in both the Telegherry and
western Allyn River sections that can be
impassable after heavy rain, so check track
conditions before your visit. Each of the
campgrounds in the Telegherry section
offer direct access to the river of the same
name, so bring your canoe and swimmers.
Frying Pan Creek and Coachwood
campgrounds are close together and
reasonably spacious, so they’re great for
larger groups, and Coachwood is right
next to the start of a short walk to the
Problem Creek Falls. For those wishing
to escape the crowds we’d recommend
Currawong Camping Area, a remote,
4x4-only campground just north of
Telegherry campground accessed via a
river crossing that needs to be negotiated.
Once here, you’ll find brilliant swimming
and canoeing in the Telegherry River.
The state forest’s western Allyn River
is a 40km drive north from the small
village of Gresford, 28km west of Dungog,
and you’ll need to follow the Allyn River
Road to reach the state forest’s southerngateway.
Three largish
campgrounds
are located
just inside the state forest – Dobbie Rim,
Pademelon and Old Camp – all of which
offer spacious sites that are ideal for
off-road camper trailers and caravans.
Just north of Old Camp is Ladies Well,
a beautiful swimming hole on the Allyn
River that’s perfect for families. Continue
farther north into the state forest to reach
Allyn River Forest Rest Area, a day-use
area with direct access to the Allyn River
for swimming and canoeing. Farther north
along Allyn River Forest Road you’ll find
the northernmost campground of White
Rock, which also offers direct river access.
It would be easy to spend a few days
in Chichester State Forest, but we’d
recommend venturing to the lofty
mountains above it that comprise
Barrington Tops National Park. The WorldBARRINGTON TOPS NP
AND SURROUNDS
1244 http://www.4X4australia.com.au
EXPLORE CAPITAL CITY ESCAPES, SYDNEY
TWO-WHEELIN’
Base yourself at Junction
Pools and set off on a half-day bike
adventure retracing the Barrington
Trail. The kids can keep an eye out
for animals and birdlife along
the way.Watching the local
wildlife at camp is a
great way to pass time.