Barrington Tops State Forest camping after Christmas?

Submitted: Thursday, Nov 25, 2010 at 16:24

ThreadID: 82687 Views:4304 Replies:2 FollowUps:10

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Barrington Tops

The magnificent Barrington Tops National Park boasts superb mountain top accommodation, excellent walking trails, suitable 2WD and 4WD routes and great camping spots.

Barrington Tops

Section: Treks

Not far off the Pacific Highway near Bulahdelah you can access the magnificant Barrington Tops. Now accessible by 2WD the region boasts superb mountain top accommodation, excellent walking trails,

AnneMarie

Hi all -' the boys' (husband and stepson) have a small window of opportunity for the 4 of us to go 4WD-ing and camping for about 4-5 days... after Christmas... leaving on Boxing Day!!!!

Does anyone here know much about the Barrington Tops State Forest (State not National as we're taking 2 big docile doggies!) camping areas at this time of the year, or are we kidding ourselves!!?? The boys seem to think they have found a few good camping areas on their Aussie Explorer maps, but I don't want to drive all the way up there only to find it packed out! ;)

ANy information and feedback greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Anne-Marie

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Reply By: Member - Warrie (NSW) - Thursday, Nov 25, 2010 at 20:22

Thursday, Nov 25, 2010 at 20:22

Hi AnneMarie, we went there in Jan 2009. Plenty to do for 4 days and not crowded - they're all at the beach. Drove up from Gloucester. There's a nice 3km walk around Polblue Swamp and camping area. Check out the pix in Places...... W

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AnswerID: 436932

Follow Up By: Gronk - Thursday, Nov 25, 2010 at 23:55

Thursday, Nov 25, 2010 at 23:55

You can't go to Polblue with dogs as its part of the Nat Park, but Manning River Camp is State Forest, and as far as being packed out......bit hard to say, you will have to just try it and see..

FollowupID: 708411

Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 08:32

Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 08:32

Thanks Gronk - I could see this was the case here, but there are plenty of other spots within the State part of the area that we can check out.

FollowupID: 708419

Follow Up By: Gronk - Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 12:34

Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 12:34

And in the state forests , you can camp anywhere, so if you find a nice cleared spot somewhere, just set up and enjoy..

FollowupID: 708432

Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 14:27

Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 14:27

Very true, Gronk - that's exactly what we plan to do and keeping our fingers crossed that the majority of people will want to be near BBQ's, facilities and where 2WD can go! Here's hoping! :)

FollowupID: 708435

Reply By: Begaboy - Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 07:06

Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 07:06

every time i went to a few camp sites within barrington tops during school holiday season , they were busy with idiots that bring generators + 1/2 dozen fog lights that could give you a tan at 200 feet and a radio, that all runs till about 1 am in the morning. Only decent time to camp in there is Not during school holidays and winter time when no one is there

Head over to stockton - more chance of finding your own little camping spot and good 4x4 driving in the sand

AnswerID: 436968

Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 08:35

Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 08:35

I guess we'll just have to take that chance as this is the only time the young people can get away between Uni and other commitments! Otherwise we probably wouldn't bother.

I can't see how Stockton Beach would be any different or less crowded! We've heard it's mayhem at Christmas time and besides, we're after bush camping and 4WD tracks away from the beaches this time. :)

FollowupID: 708420

Follow Up By: Begaboy - Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 12:03

Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 12:03

hi there , the difference is that stockton beach is about 19 km long ( or longer ) and you can camp just about anywhere - barrington - you have a few camp spots where everyone gathers in close proximity to each other - and yes whilst stockton gets busy during the day - this is mostly day trippers - at night you would be flat out seeing the next guy camping on the beach ..

if you have a different experience i would love to hear back about it .. just giving you my experiences in various camping spots thoughout barrington

FollowupID: 708428

Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 14:25

Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 14:25

Hi Begaboy - appreciate what you are saying. Point is, we don't want to go near a beach or do sand driving, we are after the bush experience - so, fingers crossed we can find a spot in the State Forest to suit us for a few nights. :)

Cheers,
Anne-Marie

FollowupID: 708434

Follow Up By: Steve - Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 20:36

Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 20:36

AnneMarie

have a look at Telegherry or the area north of Patterson/Vacy (N of Maitland)

doggie friendly - nice - plenty toexplore - watch for snakes with them

enjoy

FollowupID: 708450

Follow Up By: Steve - Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 20:42

Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 20:42

btw,

you could do with a camp guide or just google info - you won't be Robinson Crusoe but it shouldn't be any busier than anywhere else at that time - nice spots - give it a go

FollowupID: 708451

Follow Up By: AnneMarie - Saturday, Nov 27, 2010 at 14:12

Saturday, Nov 27, 2010 at 14:12

Thanks Steve - we have Camps 5 and other books + I've googled for a suitable camping area, hence why I am here @ ExplorOz in the hope of getting some feedback and personal experiences from members who may have ben to these areas in the recent past.

CHeers for the other suggestions - will check them out. :)

FollowupID: 708493