Styx River State Forest

Styx River State Forest

Rugged scenery, fast icy rivers and alpine forests make Styx River State Forest a diverse and stunningly beautiful area to visit for camping, walking and day trips.

Styx River State Forest is located on the New England Tablelands, east of Armidale. Reaching to 1400 metres above sea level and crashing down to only 200 metres, this forest offers endless views across the Tablelands as well as a large variety of trees and landscapes to enjoy.

Colourful stringybarks dominate the high misty areas, while tall, smooth-barked gums such as white gum and blue gum feature in the lower forests. Between the steep ridges can be found narrow strips of rainforest containing trees such as Antarctic beech, yellow carabeen and red cedar, particularly within the forest's flora reserves.

The forest covers a staggering 29,000 hectares and is an important source of timber and employment for the community, as well as offering some very special places for visitors.

Styx River Forest Way winds through 30 kilometres of forest from Point Lookout, passing many of the area's beautiful vistas including glimpses of Georges Creek Valley and the headwaters of the Macleay River. Popular vantage points such as the Beech Lookout make it easier to relax and take in the view.

The sheer power of the area's wild rivers are a contrast to the silence of the forest, particularly at Styx Falls, where cold mountain water plunges into the deep, rocky chasm below.

People wanting to spend more time in the forest have several camping areas to choose from, including the popular and tranquil Wattle Flat camping and picnic area. This camping area was named after the wattles which can be seen flowering in early spring along the banks of the river. The area offers tables, barbecues and toilets.

Nearby Farewell Flat also offers facilities for camping along the river, while Pantons Point and Hyatts Flat provide more secluded spots without the amenities to remind you of civilisation.

Styx River Forest is close to a number of other natural attractions including several National parks and a trout hatchery.

For more information about recreation at Styx River, please contact State Forests' Walcha office on 067 77 2511, or Cumberland State Forests information centre in Sydney on 02 9871 3377.

Fergus,
Back in the dim dark past one of my mates had the grazing rights to most of the stat forest. Unfortunatly Ron has passed on,but his cattle yards are still there and are still calles Rons Yards on the map to the East of the River.
The only camping spot on the river is at Lower Wattle Flat and has a long drop an lots of short grass flats along the river. 2WD can get in but you tend not to get any yobbos. There are any number of 4WD tracks to explore in the area as well as the Nat Park at Point Lookout. An interesting drive from Wattle Flat is to go up the hill to the Forest loop road and take the rrack to Pantons Point, cross the river, up the hill and return to Wattle flat. About 1.5 hour trip but you can try the fish at Pantons.
Enjoy
Vince

I was at the Styx River area late last month. Just in the Mt Field Nat. Park (Tasmania). The trees in the Styx area are the biggest Hardwood trees in the world.