Barrington Tops
Barrington Tops Bridge Walk, Barrington Tops - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW
Barrington Tops
Step into a world of dramatic rock formations, lush valleys, tumbling waterfalls, and unique flora and fauna. Part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area and spanning more than 83,000 hectares of unspoilt wilderness, Barrington Tops is one of the largest temperate rainforests in Australia.
Highlights
Bushwalking and hikes
Trails in Barrington Tops will take you from subtropical rainforest to ancient beech forests and breathtaking sub-alpine woodlands. There’s everything from short walks suitable for the whole family to challenging overnight treks for experienced hikers. Walk to the top of Thunderbolts Lookout for spectacular views across the Barrington wilderness. Along the easy Gloucester River walking track, look out for elusive platypus and listen to the distinctive call of the lyrebird.
Gloucester Tops, Barrington Tops National Park - Credit: Destination Barrington Coast
Other popular trails include Sharpes Creek, Aeroplane Hill, Polblue Falls and the Gloucester Tops Circuit. The Corker trail is a 20-kilometre return journey from Lagoon Pinch to Careys Peak, winding through woodlands, rainforest and Antarctic beech. It’s a high-altitude adventure through steep, rugged bushland. Pitch a tent at the Wombat Creek campground on the way and spend a night under the stars.
Polblue Falls walk, Barrington Tops National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW
Chasing waterfalls
With multiple rivers flowing through Barrington Tops, it’s no wonder that the park is home to some of the state’s most beautiful waterfalls. Take a dip in the clear waters beneath the multi-tiered Gloucester River Falls, admire the magical Gloucester Tops cascade that falls through moss-covered rocks and marvel at the clarity of the water at Rocky Crossing Falls. You can also kayak, canoe or whitewater raft along many of the waterways.
Barrington Falls, Barrington Tops - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW
Wildlife and natural wonders
A diverse range of native wildlife call Barrington Tops home, including platypus, lyrebirds, swamp wallabies, bare-nosed wombats and the rufous scrub-bird, one of the rarest birds in Australia. They may not be native to the area, but endangered Tasmanian devils have thrived in Aussie Ark, a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to conservation. It also protects other threatened species like quolls, koalas, frogs and turtles. Join a guided tour to see their important work in action.
Camping sites set in spectacular wilderness locations offer the chance to connect with nature after the sun goes down. At 1,400 metres above sea level, Devils Hole is one of the highest campgrounds in NSW and Gloucester River campground is perfect for swimming and frog-spotting. If you have a 4WD, access the remote Gummi Falls campground, a secluded site close to mountain bike trails and great fishing spots.
Devils Hole lookout walk and picnic area, Barrington Tops National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW
Explore nearby towns
Many of the towns in the area, including Dungog and Gloucester, were established in the early 1800s by some of Australia’s earliest settlers and still evoke the rich history of the region. Follow a farm gate trail for local produce that includes cheese and wine, learn bushranger legends or explore the old Mountain Maid gold mine.
