Barrington Tops National Park
Barrington Tops National Park
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
51 reviews
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27
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15
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8
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Anita T
Forster, Australia11,760 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We love visiting Barrington Tops National Park. The walks are fabulous and the views from the lookouts are breathtaking. Not often can you have views with no sign of habitation.
When we visited it was quite cool, 4 degrees at lunchtime on a sunny day.
We had a bbq lunch at Pol Blue while watching the Brumbies grazing on the other side of the highland swamp. Just watch the Kookaburras and Currawongs that really try very hard to share your sausages.
Also take care on the road. It is really chopped up after the recent snow but we did manage it with our 2 wheel drive.
We also visited the Firs a Pine Forest in the nearby Stewart’s Brook State Forest. Just an awesome old Forest.
When we visited it was quite cool, 4 degrees at lunchtime on a sunny day.
We had a bbq lunch at Pol Blue while watching the Brumbies grazing on the other side of the highland swamp. Just watch the Kookaburras and Currawongs that really try very hard to share your sausages.
Also take care on the road. It is really chopped up after the recent snow but we did manage it with our 2 wheel drive.
We also visited the Firs a Pine Forest in the nearby Stewart’s Brook State Forest. Just an awesome old Forest.
Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pony M
Adelaide, Australia1 contribution
Nov 2021 • Couples
I had been living in Sydney for three years, clueless to the fact there was a glorious rainforest just a couple of hours drive north. We hired a car and drove from Surry Hills, and by the end of the weekend I was hatching plans to resettle nearby, perhaps starting a strawberry farm (I was mocked by my fellow traveller for a while). All I can say to do it justice is PUT IT ON YOUR MUST-GO LIST. Other than that mere words don’t convey how much the experience affected me.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ellemay 🍹🐠🐳
Sydney, Australia47,339 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
We drove to the Barrington Tops National Park from Gloucester. Wow ! It certainly was an interesting bumpy dirt road through the park with spectacular views of the tree tops and deep valleys.
Barrington Tops is located 3.5 hours drive from Sydney. It’s a World Heritage-listed rainforest and is well known for its seven beautiful bushwalking trails.
Barrington Tops is located 3.5 hours drive from Sydney. It’s a World Heritage-listed rainforest and is well known for its seven beautiful bushwalking trails.
Written June 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Madshus
Canberra, Australia1,353 contributions
Jul 2020
Why this doesn't consistently get five bullets I don't know. Barrington Tops NP seems to be one of very few NSW NPs that hasn't been burned at the moment by the summer bushfires. The walk up to Carey's Peak and side around the tops through Junction Pools, Black Swamp Camp to Wombat Creek takes you a stupendous variety of country - rainforest, bogs and alpine meadows, and the alpine trees dripping in lichen and mist. Gorgeous. But you need to deal with the brumbies and broom.
Written July 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chrisnat M
Brisbane, Australia2 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
This is the best place. Hidden haven is a gem. The grounds are like a dream come true. Horses and two lovely dogs. Stayed in manning cabin which has a natural stream outside balcony. Rustic charm.Was a bit cold to swim in pool but it looked Devine. Nicest people ever are the owners. Rooms and beds comfy and clean. Take your own food as nearest town Gloucester about 40 kms. Get to meet plenty of cows and calf’s driving up to hidden haven. Very lovely.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teresa N
Medowie, Australia1,191 contributions
Feb 2021
Our visit was at Jerusalem Creek Trail located at the southern end of the park not far from the town of Dungog.
It is listed as a grade 4 walk and is 2km one way.
This means that you have to retrace your steps or walk along the road.
From the creek trail car park it is a steep up hill climb crossing over a couple of bridges. My research told me the walk was along the creek, but there were only a couple of places where it could be seen. Almost at the end of the walk there is a viewing platform for the falls, but sadly, even with all the rain recently there wasn’t much water. Most of the walk was on a leaf covered track with not much to see along the way. The ground was a little damp in areas and we did encounter leaches in our shoes.
We have done many walks and sadly this one was a bit of a disappointment for us.
If you just want to see the falls drive a little further up the road and park at the Jerusalem Creek picnic area. From here it is only a 2 minute walk to the falls.
It is listed as a grade 4 walk and is 2km one way.
This means that you have to retrace your steps or walk along the road.
From the creek trail car park it is a steep up hill climb crossing over a couple of bridges. My research told me the walk was along the creek, but there were only a couple of places where it could be seen. Almost at the end of the walk there is a viewing platform for the falls, but sadly, even with all the rain recently there wasn’t much water. Most of the walk was on a leaf covered track with not much to see along the way. The ground was a little damp in areas and we did encounter leaches in our shoes.
We have done many walks and sadly this one was a bit of a disappointment for us.
If you just want to see the falls drive a little further up the road and park at the Jerusalem Creek picnic area. From here it is only a 2 minute walk to the falls.
Written February 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andy
Thornton, Australia229 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Did the drive through Barrington Tops from Gloucester side to Aberdeen / Scone.
Camped at Devils Hole the night. The lookout there has views to die for 👌, although camp facilities at Polblue a little further on are probably slightly better, especially for families.
Well worth a visit 👍
Camped at Devils Hole the night. The lookout there has views to die for 👌, although camp facilities at Polblue a little further on are probably slightly better, especially for families.
Well worth a visit 👍
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
craig63b
Newcastle, Australia73 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
Camped for a night at Polblue, within the Barrington tops national park. Singleton tourist information centre were extremely helpful in providing a map and advice etc to get up to the park. We came in from the Scone (western) side heading towards Gloucester. We were driving a 2 WD vehicle. As we ascended the outside temperature dropped from 29 C degrees to 18 C degrees. The ascent to the park is a steep rocky / gravel dirt road, but fine for a standard sedan type car IF you drive with care. During the ascent we were mostly travelling about 40kmph. During home decent I agree with another writer to use your automatic transmission settings to 2nd gear to reduce the braking load. There is no mobile phone reception at all.
Polblue is about a rough 6km from the "dingo gate / fence" entry to the park.
As you pass through the brief pine forrest segment - pull in and stop. If you are very quiet and a bit lucky you will see lyre birds, we were really fortunate and saw 4 in 5 mins.
The Camping ground was good, 2 modernised pit toilet blocks , (no showers), a good choice of wood barbecue plates. You need to bring fire wood as there was none on site (and if cold conditions plenty of wood!!). Contact National Parks and Wildlife - Scone office for details of camping fees - but our trip was $10 per adult /$5 per child per night . There is a "community" shelter area with a lovely raised fire place and 2 gas barbecues for campers to retreat too in unpleasant weather conditions. A little further up the road is the Polblue picnic area with additional toilets and BBQ etc.
Polblue was beautiful - it is a swamp but dominated by alpine moss and lichen. A relatively flat walking trail surrounds the edge of the swamp and we saw wildlife including kangaroos, finches etc.
We also drove to Devils lookout /camping area and to Manning River camping area. All were negotiable by 2 WD (with care). Manning river was nothing like its NPW picture, although a beautiful stream, the camping ground was very muddy and chopped up.
Check list - wood, paper map, toilet paper, water for drinking, clothing for extreme and rapid changes, talk to NPW about weather and current road conditions.
cheers - enjoy
Polblue is about a rough 6km from the "dingo gate / fence" entry to the park.
As you pass through the brief pine forrest segment - pull in and stop. If you are very quiet and a bit lucky you will see lyre birds, we were really fortunate and saw 4 in 5 mins.
The Camping ground was good, 2 modernised pit toilet blocks , (no showers), a good choice of wood barbecue plates. You need to bring fire wood as there was none on site (and if cold conditions plenty of wood!!). Contact National Parks and Wildlife - Scone office for details of camping fees - but our trip was $10 per adult /$5 per child per night . There is a "community" shelter area with a lovely raised fire place and 2 gas barbecues for campers to retreat too in unpleasant weather conditions. A little further up the road is the Polblue picnic area with additional toilets and BBQ etc.
Polblue was beautiful - it is a swamp but dominated by alpine moss and lichen. A relatively flat walking trail surrounds the edge of the swamp and we saw wildlife including kangaroos, finches etc.
We also drove to Devils lookout /camping area and to Manning River camping area. All were negotiable by 2 WD (with care). Manning river was nothing like its NPW picture, although a beautiful stream, the camping ground was very muddy and chopped up.
Check list - wood, paper map, toilet paper, water for drinking, clothing for extreme and rapid changes, talk to NPW about weather and current road conditions.
cheers - enjoy
Written April 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Megan M
Berkeley Vale, Australia129 contributions
We camped at Polblue Swamp Camp Ground for two nights in early March. It is a fantastic campground with great facilities. Plenty of wood bbqs (byo wood) two free gas bbqs located in the "community shelter" which also houses a large fireplace and picnic table. There are numerous picnic tables around the camp ground and a couple of information displays. They also have some of the nicest pit toilets I've seen (if you can call a pit toilet "nice"!). They are also wheelchair accessible. Fees are $10pp/pn, payable as you arrive at the camp site. Expect the temperature to be about 10 degrees colder than below the mountains. The Polblue Swamp Track is great and well maintained, and is about 2.8kms round trip. Wear your walking shoes and take plenty of water. Watch out for snakes as we encountered two brown snakes when we did it. This campsite is great for children as it is off the main road and relatively flat open ground. Kangaroos, possums and kookaburras will come right up to you so it's great for photographers too.
While we were there we took a short trip to Devils Hole Lookout, about 10 minutes north by car. The lookout is also wheelchair accessible and about 200m return trip. Bring your camera, it is well worth the visit!
Devils hole campground is across the road. The road in to it is quite uneven and full of large potholes, large rocks and sticks. There are no toilets here, the closest toilets are at Devils hole lookout which is about 100m away and across the main road.
While we were there they were fixing the main road (barrington tops Forrest road) with a grader and a roller. As a result, the road in and out (we came in from Scone) is in very good shape. I took my Mazda 3 up there without any issues.
This is one of our favourite camping spots, it takes a while to get to it but it's well worth the effort.
While we were there we took a short trip to Devils Hole Lookout, about 10 minutes north by car. The lookout is also wheelchair accessible and about 200m return trip. Bring your camera, it is well worth the visit!
Devils hole campground is across the road. The road in to it is quite uneven and full of large potholes, large rocks and sticks. There are no toilets here, the closest toilets are at Devils hole lookout which is about 100m away and across the main road.
While we were there they were fixing the main road (barrington tops Forrest road) with a grader and a roller. As a result, the road in and out (we came in from Scone) is in very good shape. I took my Mazda 3 up there without any issues.
This is one of our favourite camping spots, it takes a while to get to it but it's well worth the effort.
Written March 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JS231
Sydney, Australia76 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
We drove up to both Gloucester Tops and Barrington Tops recently. The roads are drivable in a 2WD with good clearance (don't try to take a lowered sports car up there!), though you will definitely put some wear into both your tyres and your suspension. There are numerous stretches of road (goat track is a more accurate term - there are signs warning that the road is not maintained) which consist of not much more than rough rocks and potholes, particularly on the road between Gloucester and Scone.
To save your brakes from overheating, I recommend a 2WD car with an automatic transmission drop out of "Drive" and into "2" whilst descending out of these Tops. Drive carefully around the tight, sharp bends.
As for the scenery, the views were nice but the hiking trails were not particularly impressive. The track to view Gloucester Falls is currently (April 2013) partially closed due to rock falls/subsidence, so you can only view them from a spot about 80m away from the water.
The River Walk at Gloucester Falls is rather dull, with only limited views of the overgrown river.
The Polblue Swamp Walk at Barrington Tops is a nice stroll around the swamp, but again there was not a lot of birdlife or wildlife to see.
It definitely is 10 degrees cooler up on the Tops than in the valleys below, so take a fleece with you.
The view of the sun setting over the panorama from the Dingo Gate on the western side of the Barrington Tops road was worthwhile, as was the drive down to Scone. We saw two Peregrine Falcons feasting on a dead wallaby (sadly, plenty of roadkill on this route - so watch out) on the road. Their 2m wingspans were impressive.
I'd like to explore the southern areas of Barrington Falls NP next time - without a 4WD, I wouldn't bother going back to the Northern part of that park.
To save your brakes from overheating, I recommend a 2WD car with an automatic transmission drop out of "Drive" and into "2" whilst descending out of these Tops. Drive carefully around the tight, sharp bends.
As for the scenery, the views were nice but the hiking trails were not particularly impressive. The track to view Gloucester Falls is currently (April 2013) partially closed due to rock falls/subsidence, so you can only view them from a spot about 80m away from the water.
The River Walk at Gloucester Falls is rather dull, with only limited views of the overgrown river.
The Polblue Swamp Walk at Barrington Tops is a nice stroll around the swamp, but again there was not a lot of birdlife or wildlife to see.
It definitely is 10 degrees cooler up on the Tops than in the valleys below, so take a fleece with you.
The view of the sun setting over the panorama from the Dingo Gate on the western side of the Barrington Tops road was worthwhile, as was the drive down to Scone. We saw two Peregrine Falcons feasting on a dead wallaby (sadly, plenty of roadkill on this route - so watch out) on the road. Their 2m wingspans were impressive.
I'd like to explore the southern areas of Barrington Falls NP next time - without a 4WD, I wouldn't bother going back to the Northern part of that park.
Written April 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robyn J
Ipswich, Australia112 contributions
Are all the roads into Barrington Tops gravel and do you need a 4WD? We are thinking of visiting in July but don’t have a 4WD.
Aussiemum1968
Australia37 contributions
Is the road into Barrington Pinic Area along the Barrington trail , would a Mitsubishi Outlander 4wd be able to do this in dry weather.
Hoping to come up in July with my three boys. Are the roads okay for a standard vehicle to access and what can you recommend we do whilst there. I am worried things will be closed up for winter
Carole C
Taree, New South Wales, Australia
I want to know is there anywhere in the National Park at Gloucester that I can ride to see the brumbies
Carole C
Taree, New South Wales, Australia
Are there any horse rides to see the brumbies roaming free
