Fast facts
- Thriving rural town at the heart of the Hastings River Valley
- Located on the Hastings River, surrounded by forests
- 406 km north of Sydney, population 5,000
Why go there
Surrounded by rich dairy and cattle country, Wauchope is a lively town and gateway to over 40,000 hectares of national parks and state forests.
A major attraction is Timbertown, a re-created village set amongst 87 acres of natural forest that depicts life and work in the pioneer towns of the region in the late 1800s. Bullock teams haul giant logs to a steam-powered sawmill, shingles and rails are split with axes and the blacksmith's forge rings with the sound of hammer on horseshoes.
Follow the Hastings Forest Way west from Wauchope to Werrikimbe National Park, a rugged wilderness of outstanding beauty spread across the hills that form the catchment of the Hastings River. Willi Willi National Park is a rainforest mountain park, 52 km west of Wauchope.
History
Wauchope began in the 1820s as a timber cutting town and river port for the trade along the Hastings River. The town later developed as a service centre for the mixed farming district that surrounds it.
Things to do
- Go bushwalking and picnicking in the spectacular national parks nearby. Willi Willi National Park has rainforest walks at Wilson River or follow trails through Antarctic beeches and snow gums in Werrikimbe National Park.
- Visit nearby towns such as historic Beechwood on the Hastings River or Comboyne, perched high on some of the richest plateau country in Australia.
- Taste the local produce at Bago Vineyards or Hastings Valley Olives near Yarras, known for its delicious Extra Virgin olive oil.
- Visit Timbertown for a ride on the heritage steam railway, see a blacksmith in action or watch the bullock show.
Don’t miss
- Spectacular views across the valley from Bago Bluff.
- Hastings Farmers market in the Wauchope showground on the 4th Saturday of the month.
- The rainforest walking track in Boorganna Nature Reserve.
- Blue Poles Gallery at Byabarra for its great food and arts shows.
- The dramatic drop of water at Ellenborough Falls.
