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Barrington Tops

Difficulty: Trek rating 1 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD AWD 2WD Caravan Camper Motorhome 
The magnificent Barrington Tops National Park boasts superb mountain top accommodation, excellent walking trails, suitable 2WD and 4WD routes and great camping spots.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesGloucester
Trek
FinishMoonan Flat
Distance178.53 kmMinimum Days2
Average Speed32.75 km/hrDriving Time5 hr 27 min
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 28 Feb 2008
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 Description

Barrington Tops National Park is an area of contrasts, with sub-alpine woodland on the upland plateau and World Heritage subtropical rainforests in the lower valleys. Most of the area is declared wilderness, with wild and scenic rivers and winter snow-caps. The park is set within about 38,705 hectares and consists of two linked plateaus, which are called Barrington and Gloucester Tops. They fall away steeply from a maximum height above sea level of 1,586 metres. The region does not have a surrounding or internal network of roads to allow easy access between different areas.

There are numerous state forests surrounding the Barrington Tops area, which are used extensively for timber production and recreational activities. Camping is permitted anywhere except at day picnic areas and some camp sites such as Polblue, Gummi Falls, Little Murray and Devils Hole have good facilities with pit toilets, barbeques, tables, etc. There are short and interesting walks at Gloucester Tops where you will see Antarctic beech forests, snow gum woodlands and scenic waterfalls. At Williams River and Jerusalem Creek there are nice and easy walks through rainforest and tall blue gums.

There are hundreds of kilometres of forest roads and fire trails open to 4WD enthusiasts and conventional vehicles can use many of the forest roads. The Barrington Trail (the 4WD trail from Barrington Tops Forest Road to Mount Barrington) is closed each year between 1st June and 30th September. This and other trails may be closed at other times of year, as a result of weather conditions such as high rainfall or snow. Also, logging vehicles do use these tracks so care needs to be taken on the narrow winding roads - give way to loggers!

 Interactive Route Map

GloucesterBarringtonCopelandJims Place Camping AreaMitchell Creek Picnic AreaCobark LookoutMoppy LookoutHoneysuckle Camping AreaThunderbolts LookoutDevils Hole Camp GroundLittle Murray Camping AreaPolblue Camping AreaMoonan OutlookMoonan BrookMoonan OutlookPolblue Camping AreaLittle Murray Camping AreaDevils Hole Camp GroundGummi Falls Camping AreaMoonan Flat
Gloucester
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Toilet Pub Resort,Motel
Position: 151.9633ºE   32.0077ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Barrington
Distance: 7.13km
Average Speed: 57.86km/h
Barrington
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Place Name
Position: 151.9104ºE   31.9745ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Copeland
Distance: 8.07km
Average Speed: 58.31km/h
Copeland
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Place Name
Position: 151.8433ºE   31.9919ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Jims Place Camping Area
Distance: 11.61km
Average Speed: 48.48km/h
Jims Place Camping Area
Jims Place Camping Area next to where the Gloucester & Barrington Rivers join. It offers camping grounds, toilets and canoeing amenities. This camping spot is absolutely beautiful and there is a very large amount of camping space.
Features: Camp Fee
Position: 151.7519ºE   31.9725ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Mitchell Creek Picnic Area
Distance: 17.14km
Average Speed: 38.34km/h
Mitchell Creek Picnic Area
Mitchell Creek Picnic Area on the Barrington Tops Forest Road features picnic tables and a firepit.
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 151.6415ºE   31.9113ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Cobark Lookout
Distance: 4.07km
Average Speed: 26.84km/h
Cobark Lookout
Cobark Lookout on the Barrington Tops Forest Road features picnic tables and a firepit.
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 151.6123ºE   31.8947ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Moppy Lookout
Distance: 5.22km
Average Speed: 23.59km/h
Moppy Lookout
Lookout spot on the Barrington Tops Forest Road.
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 151.5586ºE   31.8969ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Honeysuckle Camping Area
Distance: 2.71km
Average Speed: 31.08km/h
Honeysuckle Camping Area
Camping area with toilets, firepit and picnic tables.
Features: Camp Fee
Position: 151.5339ºE   31.9021ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Thunderbolts Lookout
Distance: 3.61km
Average Speed: 27.67km/h
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 151.5040ºE   31.9153ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Devils Hole Camp Ground
Distance: 2.4km
Average Speed: 31.94km/h
Devils Hole Camp Ground
Devils Hole Camping Ground is located in the northern part of the park on the main Barrington Tops Forest Road. This basic camp ground is situated at 1400m altitude, offers fantastic views over the Barrington wilderness and nearby farmlands.
Features: Camp FeePoint of Interest
Position: 151.4827ºE   31.9163ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Little Murray Camping Area
Distance: 9.77km
Average Speed: 24.38km/h
Little Murray Camping Area
Little Murray camping area is on the edge of Little Murray Swamp, in the north of the park, at 1490m altitude. This campground is 5km off the Barrington Trail. This trail is closed to all vehicles during winter (1st June to 30th September).
Features: Camp Fee
Position: 151.4515ºE   31.9784ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Polblue Camping Area
Distance: 6.32km
Average Speed: 24.2km/h
Polblue Camping Area
This is a roomy campground in pleasant sub-alpine woodland at around 1450m altitude. It offers short and inspiring walks passing through snow gum woodland, tall eucalypt forest and areas of high-altitude swamp. Fees: $10.00 per adult per night, $5.00 per child per night.
Features: Camp Fee
Position: 151.4268ºE   31.9570ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Moonan Outlook
Distance: 8.87km
Average Speed: 37.64km/h
Moonan Outlook
Moonan Outlook features a picnic area with firepits and a lookout post.
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 151.3445ºE   31.9318ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Moonan Brook
Distance: 10.85km
Average Speed: 31.37km/h
Moonan Brook
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated PlaceToilet Camp Fee Resort,Motel
Position: 151.2762ºE   31.9399ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Moonan Outlook
Distance: 10.85km
Average Speed: 31.37km/h
Moonan Outlook
Moonan Outlook features a picnic area with firepits and a lookout post.
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 151.3445ºE   31.9318ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Polblue Camping Area
Distance: 8.87km
Average Speed: 37.64km/h
Polblue Camping Area
This is a roomy campground in pleasant sub-alpine woodland at around 1450m altitude. It offers short and inspiring walks passing through snow gum woodland, tall eucalypt forest and areas of high-altitude swamp. Fees: $10.00 per adult per night, $5.00 per child per night.
Features: Camp Fee
Position: 151.4268ºE   31.9570ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Little Murray Camping Area
Distance: 6.32km
Average Speed: 24.2km/h
Little Murray Camping Area
Little Murray camping area is on the edge of Little Murray Swamp, in the north of the park, at 1490m altitude. This campground is 5km off the Barrington Trail. This trail is closed to all vehicles during winter (1st June to 30th September).
Features: Camp Fee
Position: 151.4515ºE   31.9784ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Devils Hole Camp Ground
Distance: 9.77km
Average Speed: 24.38km/h
Devils Hole Camp Ground
Devils Hole Camping Ground is located in the northern part of the park on the main Barrington Tops Forest Road. This basic camp ground is situated at 1400m altitude, offers fantastic views over the Barrington wilderness and nearby farmlands.
Features: Camp FeePoint of Interest
Position: 151.4827ºE   31.9163ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Gummi Falls Camping Area
Distance: 2.95km
Average Speed: 8.88km/h
Gummi Falls Camping Area
Gummi Falls camping area is in the northern part of the park on the Bullocky Brush Trail. The route includes unpaved roads; 4WD vehicle required. Campsites are suitable for: camper trailers; camping beside your vehicle. Not suitable for: caravans. Fees: $5.
Features: Camp Fee
Position: 151.4688ºE   31.9030ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Moonan Flat
Distance: 42.01km
Average Speed: 34.16km/h
Moonan Flat
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated PlaceCaravan Park Fuel Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Resort,Motel
Position: 151.2373ºE   31.9255ºS (GDA 94)

Route Control

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 Permits

There are many camp grounds in Barrington Tops National Park and there are fees ranging from $5.00 to $10.00 to camp there. To find out more on fees as well as section closures within the park, please click: Information for Barrington Tops NP.

To find out more about the park, contact the following NPWS office and visitor centre:

Gloucester

Street address: 59 Church Street, Gloucester NSW
Postal address: PO Box 236, Gloucester NSW 2422
Phone: (02) 6538 5300
Fax: (02) 6558 2476

 Things to See & Do

Moonan Outlook   
Point of Interest 
Moonan Outlook features a picnic area with firepits and a lookout post.
Mitchell Creek Picnic Area   
Point of Interest 
Mitchell Creek Picnic Area on the Barrington Tops Forest Road features picnic tables and a firepit.
Moppy Lookout   
Point of Interest 
Lookout spot on the Barrington Tops Forest Road.
Devils Hole Camp Ground   
Camp Fee Point of Interest
Devils Hole Camping Ground is located in the northern part of the park on the main Barrington Tops Forest Road. This basic camp ground is situated at 1400m altitude, offers fantastic views over the Barrington wilderness and nearby farmlands.
Cobark Lookout   
Point of Interest 
Cobark Lookout on the Barrington Tops Forest Road features picnic tables and a firepit.
Barrington Tops NP features a lot of recreational activities to do such as: walking tracks with some having wheelchair facilities, cycling, vehicle touring, 4WD & trail bike touring, swimming and canoeing, fishing, picnics & barbecues, lookouts and camping in the many camp grounds within the park.

 Preparation

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolGloucester, Moonan Flat Diesel4cyl 40 litres * ULP4cyl 29 litres LPG4cyl 36 litres
6cyl 27 litres6cyl 32 litres6cyl 31 litres
8cyl 30 litres8cyl 28 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Barrington National Park is in the warmer months as it can get very cold especially during Winter.

Closest Climatic Station

Lostock Dam
Distance from Trek Mid Point 46.91km S
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 29.228.326.523.6 19.817.016.418.3 21.424.526.328.9
Mean Min. °C 17.217.215.412.7 10.17.76.56.9 9.311.913.916.1
Mean Rain mm 131.3122.9126.364.6 76.160.339.033.8 50.167.084.390.8
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Gloucester, Moonan Flat

 Camp Sites & Accomodation

Little Murray Camping Area   
Camp Fee 
Little Murray camping area is on the edge of Little Murray Swamp, in the north of the park, at 1490m altitude. This campground is 5km off the Barrington Trail. This trail is closed to all vehicles during winter (1st June to 30th September). The route includes unpaved roads; 4WD vehicle required. Campsites are suitable for: camper trailers; camping beside your vehicle.
Gloucester   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Toilet Pub Resort,Motel
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Polblue Camping Area   
Camp Fee 
This is a roomy campground in pleasant sub-alpine woodland at around 1450m altitude. It offers short and inspiring walks passing through snow gum woodland, tall eucalypt forest and areas of high-altitude swamp. Fees: $10.00 per adult per night, $5.00 per child per night. The campground is on the Barrington Tops Forest Road.
Jims Place Camping Area   
Camp Fee 
Jims Place Camping Area next to where the Gloucester & Barrington Rivers join. It offers camping grounds, toilets and canoeing amenities. This camping spot is absolutely beautiful and there is a very large amount of camping space. It is also a little warmer here then Barrington Tops.
Gummi Falls Camping Area   
Camp Fee 
Gummi Falls camping area is in the northern part of the park on the Bullocky Brush Trail. The route includes unpaved roads; 4WD vehicle required. Campsites are suitable for: camper trailers; camping beside your vehicle. Not suitable for: caravans. Fees: $5.00 per adult per night, $3.00 per child per night.
Devils Hole Camp Ground   
Camp Fee Point of Interest
Devils Hole Camping Ground is located in the northern part of the park on the main Barrington Tops Forest Road. This basic camp ground is situated at 1400m altitude, offers fantastic views over the Barrington wilderness and nearby farmlands.
Honeysuckle Camping Area   
Camp Fee 
Camping area with toilets, firepit and picnic tables.
Moonan Brook   
Populated Place Toilet Camp Fee Resort,Motel
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Moonan Flat   
Populated Place Caravan Park Fuel Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Resort,Motel
No description entered. Enter description or photos.

 Environment

The Barrington Tops National Park is rich in wildlife diversity mainly due to the fact the park’s altitude goes from near sea level to over 1500m and the terrain ranges from flat to steep ridges and gorges. Old-growth rainforests and tall eucalypt forests dominate the park. Some of these tree species include: Antarctic beech, red cedar and Sydney blue gum. Most of the plateau swamps are surrounded by tussock grassland, dominated by snow grass. Small shrubs and herbs grow among the clumps of snow grass. Many of them flower in springtime such as the sun orchids.

High in the tree canopy is home to many species of animals including: brushtail and ringtail possums, greater gliders and squirrel gliders or yellow-bellied glider, both of which are threatened in NSW. Birds that can be seen are: Lewin's honeyeaters, crimson rosellas, yellow-tailed black cockatoos, kookaburras and even wedge-tailed eagles. Plenty of mammals live on the ground in the park's rainforests and wet eucalypt forests which are home to a number of kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons and long-nosed potoroos. Most of the park's reptiles are only active in the warmer months. The most commonly seen reptile is probably the eastern water dragon, which hunts and basks on rocks around the streams.

 History

Aboriginal History

The Aboriginal occupation of Barrington Tops is recorded in oral history, and in the presence of Aboriginal sites including: open campsites with stone artefacts, scarred trees, ceremonial places and mythological sites recorded in dreaming stories. Today, Barrington Tops National Park and State Conservation Area are important to today's Worimi, Biripi and Wonnarua communities, as an intact part of Aboriginal country.

Modern History

There were a lot of protests over logging and road-building in this region, even during World War II. Through the 1950s, pressure for a national park grew - though others were pushing for more development. In 1959, the government decided to set aside two small areas, one on Gloucester Tops and the other in the Williams River area. The state forest system was also expanded, until finally, in 1969 Barrington Tops National Park was created from around 14,000 hectares of Crown land.

From the 1970s to the 1990s, an intense community debate developed over whether the remaining native forests of NSW should be used for timber production or protected for conservation. Forest areas were progressively withdrawn from logging and added to the national park system with the rainforests being protected first and then the eucalypt forests. The park was enlarged by major additions in 1984, 1997 and 1999. It was listed as World Heritage in 1986, and the Barrington Wilderness was declared in 1999. Barrington Tops State Conservation Area was created in 2000.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Gloucester to Barrington 7.13 km NW 306° 7 min
Barrington to Copeland 8.07 km W 253° 8 min
Copeland to Jims Place Camping Area 11.61 km W 284° 14 min
Jims Place Camping Area to Mitchell Creek Picnic Area 17.14 km NW 303° 26 min
Mitchell Creek Picnic Area to Cobark Lookout 4.07 km NW 304° 9 min
Cobark Lookout to Moppy Lookout 5.22 km W 267° 13 min
Moppy Lookout to Honeysuckle Camping Area 2.71 km W 256° 5 min
Honeysuckle Camping Area to Thunderbolts Lookout 3.61 km SW 243° 7 min
Thunderbolts Lookout to Devils Hole Camp Ground 2.4 km W 267° 4 min
Devils Hole Camp Ground to Little Murray Camping Area 9.77 km SW 203° 24 min
Little Murray Camping Area to Polblue Camping Area 6.32 km NW 316° 15 min
Polblue Camping Area to Moonan Outlook 8.87 km W 290° 14 min
Moonan Outlook to Moonan Brook 10.85 km W 262° 20 min
Moonan Brook to Moonan Outlook 10.85 km E 82° 20 min
Moonan Outlook to Polblue Camping Area 8.87 km E 110° 14 min
Polblue Camping Area to Little Murray Camping Area 6.32 km SE 136° 15 min
Little Murray Camping Area to Devils Hole Camp Ground 9.77 km NE 23° 24 min
Devils Hole Camp Ground to Gummi Falls Camping Area 2.95 km NW 318° 19 min
Gummi Falls Camping Area to Moonan Flat 42.01 km W 264° 1 hr 13 min
Gloucester to Moonan Flat 178.53 km     5 hr 27 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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