Barrington Tops

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesGloucester
FinishMoonan Flat
DifficultyDifficulty 1/5
Suitable For2WD Motorhome/Van Motorbike 
Distance163.69 km
Minimum Days2
Average Speed44.39 km/hr
Travel Time3 hrs 41 mins
Page Updated: 21 Aug 2023

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!

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2023 mapset!

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.

TrekID: 11

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.

Permits

There are many camp grounds in Barrington Tops National Park and fees vary.

To find out more see www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au and www.environment.nsw.gov.au

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 36 litres *4cyl 26 litres4cyl 33 litres
6cyl 25 litres6cyl 30 litres6cyl 29 litres
8cyl 25 litres8cyl 27 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) 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 42.67km S
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C29.428.326.523.519.916.916.418.421.624.426.428.7
Mean Min. °C17.317.215.412.69.97.76.56.99.311.814.016.0
Mean Rain mm126.5131.5122.571.274.068.640.335.450.366.889.994.3
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Gloucester to Barrington
Driving: 7.35 km
Heading: 306°
Avg Speed: 51.97 km/hr
EST Time: 08:29
  • Drive west on Denison Street/2. for: 0.01 km time: 00:01
  • Turn right onto Ravenshaw Street. for: 0.13 km time: 00:16
  • Turn left onto Queen Street. for: 0.22 km time: 00:25
  • Bear left. for: 0.01 km time: 00:02
  • Turn right. for: 0.01 km time: 00:02
  • Turn left onto Queen Street. for: 0.21 km time: 00:27
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit, ontofor: 6.68 km time: 07:03
  • Turn left onto Barrington East Road. for: 0.09 km time: 00:14
Barrington to Copeland
Driving: 8.14 km
Heading: 253°
Avg Speed: 68.27 km/hr
EST Time: 07:09
  • Drive north on Barrington East Road. for: 0.09 km time: 00:14
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Thunderbolts Way for: 8.05 km time: 06:56
Copeland to Cobark Lookout
Driving: 31.35 km
Heading: 296°
Avg Speed: 58.04 km/hr
EST Time: 32:24
  • Drive southwest on Scone Road/29. Continue on 29. for: 31.35 km time: 32:24
Cobark Lookout to Moppy Lookout
Driving: 6.63 km
Heading: 274°
Avg Speed: 53.06 km/hr
EST Time: 07:29
  • Drive west on Barrington Tops Forest Road/29. for: 6.63 km time: 07:30
Moppy Lookout to Honeysuckle Picnic Area
Driving: 2.64 km
Heading: 256°
Avg Speed: 55.68 km/hr
EST Time: 02:50
  • Drive northwest on Barrington Tops Forest Road/29. for: 2.62 km time: 02:43
  • Turn left. for: 0.02 km time: 00:07
Honeysuckle Picnic Area to Thunderbolts Lookout
Driving: 3.62 km
Heading: 238°
Avg Speed: 39.13 km/hr
EST Time: 05:33
  • Drive west. for: 0.03 km time: 00:10
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Barrington Tops Forest Road for: 3.57 km time: 05:17
  • Bear left. for: 0.02 km time: 00:06
Thunderbolts Lookout to Devils Hole Campground
Driving: 2.4 km
Heading: 269°
Avg Speed: 47.07 km/hr
EST Time: 03:03
  • Drive northeast. for: 0.02 km time: 00:06
  • Make a sharp left onto Barrington Tops Forest Road/29. for: 2.38 km time: 02:58
Devils Hole Campground to Little Murray Campground
Driving: 10.01 km
Heading: 203°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 17:09
  • Head east on Devils Hole Access for: 0.22 km time: 00:24
  • Turn right onto Barrington Tops Forest Road (29) for: 5.26 km time: 09:00
  • Turn left onto Barrington Trail for: 0.93 km time: 01:36
  • Make a slight right to stay on Barrington Trail for: 3.59 km time: 06:09
  • Turn right to stay on Barrington Trail for: 0.01 km time: 00:01
Little Murray Campground to Polblue Campground
Driving: 5 km
Heading: 316°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 08:34
  • Head northeast on Barrington Trail for: 0.86 km time: 01:30
  • Keep left onto Polblue Trail for: 1.93 km time: 03:20
  • Turn right for: 0.87 km time: 01:30
  • Continue slightly right onto Polblue Swamp Drive for: 1.3 km time: 02:09
  • Turn left at the end of the road, ontofor: 0.04 km time: 00:05
Polblue Campground to Moonan Outlook
Driving: 8.95 km
Heading: 290°
Avg Speed: 40.5 km/hr
EST Time: 13:15
  • Drive southwest. for: 0.34 km time: 01:41
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Barrington Tops Forest Road for: 8.61 km time: 11:35
Moonan Outlook to Moonan Brook
Driving: 10.91 km
Heading: 262°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 18:42
  • Drive west on Barrington Tops Forest Road/29. for: 10.91 km time: 18:43
Moonan Brook to Moonan Outlook
Driving: 10.91 km
Heading: 82°
Avg Speed: 41 km/hr
EST Time: 15:57
  • Drive northeast on Barrington Tops Forest Road/29. for: 10.91 km time: 15:58
Moonan Outlook to Polblue Campground
Driving: 8.95 km
Heading: 110°
Avg Speed: 42.62 km/hr
EST Time: 12:35
  • Drive east on Barrington Tops Forest Road/29. for: 8.61 km time: 10:52
  • Turn right. for: 0.34 km time: 01:44
Polblue Campground to Little Murray Campground
Driving: 5 km
Heading: 136°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 08:34
  • Head northeast for: 0.04 km time: 00:05
  • Turn right onto Polblue Swamp Drive for: 1.3 km time: 02:09
  • Keep left at the fork for: 0.87 km time: 01:31
  • Turn left onto Polblue Trail for: 1.93 km time: 03:20
  • Continue slightly right onto Barrington Trail for: 0.86 km time: 01:29
  • Turn right to stay on Barrington Trail for: 0.01 km time: 00:01
Little Murray Campground to Devils Hole Campground
Driving: 10.01 km
Heading: 23°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 17:09
  • Head northeast on Barrington Trail for: 0.86 km time: 01:29
  • Keep right onto Barrington Trail for: 1.4 km time: 02:24
  • Keep right onto Barrington Trail for: 2.27 km time: 03:53
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Barrington Tops Forest Road (29) for: 5.26 km time: 09:01
  • Turn left onto Devils Hole Access for: 0.22 km time: 00:23
Devils Hole Campground to Moonan Flat
Driving: 31.82 km
Heading: 267°
Avg Speed: 37.84 km/hr
EST Time: 50:27
  • Drive west on Barrington Tops Forest Road/29. Continue on 29. for: 30.35 km time: 48:22
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Hunter Road for: 1.38 km time: 01:31
  • Turn right onto Mitchell Street. for: 0.1 km time: 00:34
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

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.

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

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