Fast facts
- The gateway to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
- Picturesque country town on the beautiful New England Tablelands
- 447 km north of Sydney, population 3,200
Why go there
Walcha is the gateway to some of the best adventure tourist experiences in Australia. Expect gorges, rainforests, waterfalls and wilderness. Enjoy helicopter flights, four-wheel-drive tours and fishing, as well as guided bushwalks in some of Australia’s most rugged terrain. The town itself is known for its historic buildings, cosy restaurants, cafes and quality accommodation.
History
The explorer John Oxley was the first European to camp on the Apsley River, in September 1818. He then wound his way back along what is now the Oxley Highway, which links Walcha to coastal Port Macquarie.
Things to do
- Wonder at the magnificent Apsley Falls, which plummet into the sheer-sided depths of Apsley Gorge.
- Explore the Riverside Reserve, for wilderness swimming and bushwalking, as well as camping and picnic areas.
- Take a leisurely stroll along the Sculpture Walk and view 27 sculptures located around town.
Don’t miss
- Helicopter flights over majestic waterfalls and colourful cliffs and gorges.
- Bygone memorabilia and a tiger moth airplane at the Pioneer Cottage.
- Fishing for trout in the area’s cool clear waterways.
- Milking cows and collecting eggs at a farmstay.
- A four-wheel-drive tour into the depths of Apsley Gorge.
