10 spectacular outdoor adventures in NSW’s New England region

 Hike to the summit of Bald Rock 

The largest exposed granite dome in the southern hemisphere, the spectacular Bald Rock looks out over Bald Rock National Park and across the border into Queensland. The summit is almost 1,300 metres above sea level and the rock itself is 260 metres tall. Follow the challenging 2.7-kilometre return hike to the top to climb up the rockface and admire the view. 

Bald Rock National Park, Carrolls Creek - Credit: Armidale Regional Council

Kayak in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park 

Experienced kayakers can tackle the pristine waters of the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. As the name suggests, these are remote and rugged rivers, taking you through untouched bushland, into deep gorges and over rocky rapids. The Apsley River is popular, passing through a narrow gorge and beneath tumbling waterfalls. With plenty of riverside campsites to choose from, you could spend days exploring. 

Aspley River, Paradise Rocks - Credit: Gerhard Koertner | DCCEEW

Cycle the New England High Country 1000 

Explore the glorious high country on two wheels along the New England High Country 1000. Named for its length, it covers 1,037 kilometres on gravel roads and completes a full circumnavigation of the highest plateau on the Great Dividing Range. Over 10 to 14 days, you’ll pass through lush forest and old growth rainforest, past old homesteads and ghostly cattle stations, and stop in at charming country towns. For something shorter, the 100-kilometre Tourist Drive 19 is popular. 

Cycling, New England High Country - Credit: Armidale Regional Council

Soak up the colours of the season 

The New England area is dazzlingly different throughout the year. In autumn, it’s a riot of rich reds, oranges and golds. The streets and parks of Armidale, Tenterfield and Glen Innes make for scenic strolling, while the atmospheric, ivy-covered Gostwyck Chapel looks like something out of a movie. In spring, the national parks burst into life with fields of golden wattle, waratahs, flannel flowers, daisies and orchids.

Scenic drive, Tenterfield

Chase waterfalls along the Waterfall Way

With high mountains and an even higher rainfall, New England is the place for breathtaking waterfalls. Drive the Waterfall Way, which runs between Armidale and Coffs Harbour, in search of the best. Wollomombi Falls is the tallest in the state, tumbling more than 220 metres over the cliff face. The multi-tiered Ebor Falls is picture perfect and are best viewed from a cantilevered lookout platform. Inside the national parks, hike in to see the twin Apsley Falls and Boonoo Boonoo Falls. 

Wollomombi Falls, Armidale - Credit: Harrison Candlin | Armidale Regional Council

Climb over the granite boulders of Cathedral Rock National Park 

Hundreds of enormous granite boulders are scattered across the landscape in Cathedral Rock National Park. Hike to the main boulder piles at Cathedral Rock and Woolpack Rocks and scramble to the top. Cathedral Rock is particularly beautiful at sunrise or sun set. The area is also famous for its birds – look out for the endangered turquoise parrot and wedge-tailed eagles circling above. 

Cathedral Rock National Park, Ebor - Credit: Don Fuchs

Spot beautiful birds 

Hundreds of native bird species call the New England High Country home. Look for the superb lyrebird, Lewin's honeyeater and rufous fantail in the New England National Park. The wetlands at Dangar’s Lagoon are home to cormorants, fairy-wrens, egrets, rails and raptors, with more than 110 species recorded. The birdwatching platform at Mother of Ducks Lagoon will be surrounded by waterfowl and woodland birds – look out for the migratory Japanese snipe between August and April. At night, you may hear the distinctive ‘woof woof’ call of the rare barking owl. 

Birdwatching, New England National Park - Credit: Armidale Regional Council

Admire the view from a lookout 

Get up high to take in the best views in New England. Watch the sun rise over World Heritage-listed rainforest from Point Lookout in the New England National Park. Wrights Lookout is at the summit of the ancient Ebor Volcano and is particularly lovely in spring, when the fields below are alive with wildflowers. In the Gibraltar Range National Park, the Raspberry Lookout has been used by the local Indigenous people for thousands of years to survey the valley below. 

Raspberry Lookout, Gibraltar Range National Park

Hunt for gems in Glen Innes  

The area around Glen Innes is known as Gemstone Country and the town itself is often nicknamed the Sapphire City. These sparkly stones were first found here in the 1850s and it has been a popular fossicking destination ever since. Try your luck in Blatherarm Creek inside the Torrington State Conservation Area (make sure you get a permit first). Other popular spots include the Timbarra River Bridge, Yarrow Creek Bridge, Mann River Bridge Sara River Bridge and Wellingrove Bridge. The Fossicker’s Way road trip will take you through some of the best spots. 

Reddestone Creek, Glen Innes

Sleep under the stars 

Spend a night in the wilderness at a campsite in the lush New England bushland. In the Guy Fawkes River National Park, the remote Chaelundi campground sits on the edge of the Chaelundi River and is frequented by curious red-tailed wallabies. Stay in the heart of waterfall country at Wollomombi campground, get a taste of early settler life at the Youdales Hut campground in the rugged Oxley Wild Rivers National Park or explore the ancient Gondwana rainforest from Thungutti campground. 

Thungutti campground, New England National Park - Credit: John Spencer | DCCEEW

If you need a little luxury, Mirumiru Bubbletent takes you off grid with all the creature comforts. Admire the stars from beneath the clear dome, soak in the outdoor bathtub and toast marshmallows over the open fire. There’s even a dedicated kids’ tent, suspended between the trees. 

Mirumiru Bubbletent, Tenterfield - Credit: Krista Eppelsten - Life Unhurried | Mirumiru Bubbletent Pty Ltd