National Parks

 The romantic Way we were

Think of when Australia was young, of the romance of old fever, pioneers, bushrangers, cedar cutters, roads carved through mountainous terrain – and the World Heritage Way comes alive. 

They’re stunning, contrasting World Heritage neighboursWilderness, wildlife, wetlands 

Washpool and Gibraltar Range national parks are neighbours and what they have in common is they’re individualistic, stunning, and, like the Pyramids of Egypt, share World Heritage listing. But consider the contrasts:

Washpool, 78km east of Glen Innes on the Gwydir Highway’s World Heritage Way, is best known for its lush, beautiful rainforest, the largest remaining wilderness rainforest in NSW, the world’s tallest stand of coachwood rainforest - and crystal streams.

• Washpool wilderness challenges self-reliant bushwalkers with wild mountain terrain; walking tracks give all the chance to experience rainforest;
• Excellent facilities; day use and camping fees. 

Gibraltar Range, 79km east of Glen Innes on the World Heritage Way,is best known for its spectacular granite areas weathered into fantastic outcrops, huge granite tors with names like The Needles, Anvil Rock, Old Man’s Hat – and dazzling spring wildflower displays.    

• Walking tracks leading to Tree Fern Forest and Dandahra Crags skirt swamps with spring displays of Christmas bells;
• Mulligans picnic/camping area is the base for more than 80km of marked walking tracks; day use and camping fees. 

Other national parks and nature reserves include: 

Guy Fawkes River National Park accessed from Chaelundi Road running from Old Glen Innes-Grafton Road at Dalmorton, south to Ebor-Grafton Road at Hernani or Dundurrabin.

• Secluded wilderness, rugged river country; suits hard hiking; picnic/camping facilities at Chaelundi.

Capoompeta National Park, 68km northeast of Glen Innes.

• Mountainous, dry forest, rainforest patches, tree fern gullies, important wildlife areas; no facilities.

Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve, 50km south of Glen Innes, Tubbamurra and Bagot Roads.

• Wetlands habitats for waterfowl, rare species; walking track circles lagoon; no camping or canoeing. 

Warra National Park, 22km east of Glencoe.

• Undeveloped mountain forest, river valleys, rock outcrops, plants and wildlife; no facilities.

 Torrington State Conservation Area, Mole Tableland, near Torrington, 70km northwest Glen Innes.

• More than 30,000ha, outstanding example of granite country plant life; more than 700 different plants; Mystery Face rock formation, Thunderbolt’s Lookout; camping, bushwalking

Kings Plains National Park, 50km northwest Glen Innes on Wellingrove-Inverell Road.

• Kings Plains Creek runs through rugged terrain, still pools, waterfalls; heath, woodland; dry forest; spring wildflowers; picnic/camping facilities along creek.

Mann River Nature Reserve, 48km east of Glen Innes.

• Noted for mountain scenery, scenic road beside the Boyd River passes through hand-cut tunnel; picnic/camping facilities.

Nymboida National Park Canoe access from Buccarumbi, 40km southwest of Grafton on Glen Innes-Old Grafton Road, or on foot from Jackadgery, 45km west of Grafton.

• Wilderness area, threatened plants and animals; canoeing on Mann, Nymboida Rivers; facilities at Nymboida camping area. 

For it’s a 159km journey back to that era, through spectacular scenery, the World Heritage national parks of Washpool and Gibraltar Range, with connection to the Old Grafton Road, and linking the mountains to the sea and the historic towns of Glen Innes and Grafton.

For more information on National Parks visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au or phone (67) 390700