Only three and a half hours north of Sydney, and one hour inland from the Forster coast is the spectacular wilderness of Barrington Tops.
Gloucester is the gateway to this spectacular wilderness, surrounded by fertile rolling hills and the famous local landmark ‘The Bucketts’.
This region provides a plethora of things to see and do, such as tackling the Bucketts scienic walk, or simply relaxing by one of the many rivers which flow from the mountains, congregating close to the town. The Barrington, Gloucester and Avon rivers provide a haven for all forms of life, and have become a playground for wilderness enthusiests. If history is your thing, then close by at Copeland Tops there is historic gold rush heritage site that is worth a visit. Bushwalking in ancient Gondwana rainforests rainforests, the excitement of wilderness camping and spectacular lookouts over the ranges from Barrington Tops Plateau are just some of the experiences that continue to draw people to the Gloucester region from across the country.
Travelling out of Gloucester into the foothills of Barrington, you’ll find Copeland Tops State Conservation Area, a goldmine of Australian history. Hike along the old cedar logging tracks which sparked a gold rush in the late 1870s, or through rare dry rainforests which cover this exquisite area. Experience the thrill of the gold rush through participating in a variety of historic gold mining activities and tours, run by the national park team.
Some of the best walks in the Barrington region are those at Gloucester Tops.
The Gloucester Tops Circuit at 8km, features three of the most popular walking tracks in the region. Follow the Gloucester River walking track through spectacular Snow Gum woodland to reach the majestic Gloucester Falls. The trail continues through sub-alpine woodland, joining with the Antarctic Beech Forest track that houses some great waterfalls and Gondwana Rainforest which proctects a variety of rare and threatened species.
To reach Gloucester Tops, from Bucketts Way turn onto Gloucester Tops Road about 10km south of Gloucester and follow the road though the farmlands of the Invergordon Valley. You’ll meet the Gloucester River many times at picturesque fords in the river (there’s a flood route you can follow if the crossings are too high).
You’ll finally reach Barrington Tops National Park where you’ll ascend to Gloucester Tops. I highly recommend a stay at either the Gloucester Tops Riverside Caravan Park or the Gloucester River campground (which is just inside the National Park boundary).
Gondwana was a huge landmass that formed about 550 million years ago, later breaking apart to form the continents we know today.
Gondwana forests get their name from fossil records which indicate that some of the ancient species of flora which thrived on Gondwana, can still be found in rainforests existing today. The Australian Gondwana Rainforests are the most extensive area of subtropical rainforest in the world, forming a World Heritage Site which spans 50 reserves stretching from Newcastle in the south, to Brisbane in the north.
Travelling across the Barrington Tops Plateau along Barrington Tops Forest Road you’ll find a few highlights, a must-stop being Thunderbolt’s lookout. The spectacular views offer an unmatched panorama of the surrounding ranges, providing an insight into the true expanse of this stunning region.
Further along you’ll find Polblue Campground, set high up in subalpine woodland. From the campground you can easily access Polblue Swamp Walking Track and the Barrington Trail which is popular with 4WD’ers.
Enjoy the views! Richard