Wellington

Oxley Museum: the history of Wellington is told with photographs and artefacts; in the old bank (1883); open 1.30–4.30pm Mon–Fri, other times by appt; Cnr Percy and Warne sts. Orana Aboriginal Corporation: authentic Aboriginal ceramics, paintings, clothing and artefacts; open Mon–Fri; Swift St. Cameron Park: known for its rose gardens and suspension bridge over the Bell River, it also has picnic and barbecue facilities; Nanima Cres. Self-guide town walk: taking in historic buildings including hotels and churches; brochure from visitor centre.

Wellington Caves These fascinating limestone caves include Cathedral Cave, with a giant stalagmite, and Gaden Cave, with rare cave coral. For thousands of years the caves have acted as natural animal traps, and fossils of a diprotodon and a giant kangaroo have been found here. There are guided tours through the old phosphate mine (wheelchair-accessible). Nearby is an aviary, an opal shop, Japanese gardens, picnic facilities, kiosk and the bottle house, a structure made from over 9000 wine bottles. 9 km S.Mt Arthur Reserve: walks to the lookout at the summit of Mt Binjang; maps from visitor centre; 3 km W. Angora Tourist Farm: demonstrations of shearing angora rabbits and alpacas; 20 km SW. Eris Fleming Gallery: original oil paintings and watercolours by the artist; 26 km S. Nangara Gallery: Aboriginal art and craft with artefacts dating back over 20 000 years; 26 km SW. Lake Burrendong State Park: watersports, fishing, campsites and cabins, and spectacular lake views from the main wall. Burrendong Arboretum is a beautiful spot for birdwatching and features several pleasant walking tracks. Also excellent camping, picnic and barbecue sites at Mookerawa Waters Park; 32 km SE. Stuart Town: small gold-rush town formerly known as Ironbark, made famous by Banjo Paterson's poem 'The Man from Ironbark'; 38 km SE. Wineries: several in the area offering cellar-door tastings and sales. Glenfinlass Wines sell exclusively through cellar door; brochure from visitor centre.

Lithgow to Mudgee 143 km

Early settlers following in the footsteps of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson took three weeks of hard trudging to cross the majestic Blue Mountains. These days the drive from the Penrith plains in western Sydney takes... Find out more

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Hawkesbury-Nepean River 244 km

The Hawkesbury River is regarded as one of the most consistent waters for big mulloway, or jewfish as they are called. It was with mulloway in mind that I went to the river to fish with Colin Tannahill. The river flows... Find out more

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Picnicking around Dubbo 47 km

Throw a rug down in the 167-hectare Burrendong Botanic Gardens and Arboretum near Wellington, and take in the fragrance of an estimated 2500 native plant species.... Find out more

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Wine-tasting - Mudgee 60 km

Mudgee is probably best known for its vineyards and wine, and there are a growing number of organic wineries, including Botobolar, Lowe Family Wines, Martins Hill and Thistle Hill. Broombee also has organic fruit and... Find out more

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Star-gazing - Coonabarabran 143 km

Because of its combination of clear skies, altitude and distance from city lights, Coonabarabran is the astronomy capital of Australia. There are various ways to explore space here, from simply gazing skyward with a pair... Find out more

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Koala-spotting - Coonabarabran 145 km

Coonabarabran is home to one of the healthiest koala colonies in the state, and the solitary mammals are often seen in and around the town. Try the Porcupine Reserve and while there check out the view over the Liverpool... Find out more

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Picnicking in the Blue Mountains 176 km

Take a picnic up to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah at any time of year and you will not be disappointed. At 1000 metres above sea level, it is usually cool in summer, brimming with flowers in spring,... Find out more

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Ice-climbing 181 km

In winter, the frozen cliffs around Blue Lake provide one of the only places in Australia to learn and perfect the art of ice-climbing. Multi-day courses involve a hike in with heavy packs, and camping out in the... Find out more

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Burning Mountain Nature Reserve 200 km

Forget global warming for a while and marvel at this coal seam, about 30 metres underground, that has been burning as hot as 1700°C for an estimated 5500 years. A 3.5-kilometre walk to the top of the mountain through... Find out more

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The Great North Walk 234 km

Although it links two of Australia’s most populated cities, Sydney and Newcastle, and passes through some beautiful bushland, the Great North Walk does not get the foot traffic you might expect. A 250-kilometre,... Find out more

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Bushwalking in and around Sydney 243 km

Surprisingly, Sydney does offer some superb bushwalking through secluded bushland. Aboriginal engraving and art sites are quite common, and many are not publicised, simply leaving you to discover them, appreciate them,... Find out more

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Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club 221 km

As a globetrotting professional golfer of the 1970s and ’80s, Graham Marsh won more than 60 titles across five continents. The key to his success was his approach to the game. Every shot was thoughtfully... Find out more

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The Vintage Golf Club 224 km

Hunter Valley semillon, with its zesty aromas and flavours, is sometimes described by wine experts as ‘Australia’s wine gift to the world’. Its appeal also lies in its capacity to age well. The same... Find out more

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Castle Hill Country Club 229 km

Back in 1821, Irishman George Acres received a land grant and is understood to have planted Australia’s first citrus trees. He planted them on the land where the fairways of Castle Hill Country Club now weave... Find out more

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Macquarie Links International Golf Club 240 km

Shanghai, Guam, Bali, Sabah, Bangkok, Singapore, Alaska, Hawaii; American course designer Robin Nelson has spent much of the past 30 years travelling from one exotic destination to another, putting his next project in... Find out more

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Avondale GOLF CLUB 243 km

When 19th-hole conversation turns to discussing the best places to play golf in Sydney, one course often slips under the radar. Avondale Golf Club quite rightly ranks among the harbour city’s finest courses. Yet... Find out more

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Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club 244 km

A golf course, by its very nature, is a living and constantly changing thing. A fine example of the way a course can grow and the effect this can have on its original design lies at Terrey Hills, about 40 minutes... Find out more

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Pymble Golf Club 244 km

Pymble Golf Club has a rich history of nurturing some of the finest ball-strikers Australia has seen. The great Kel Nagle was the club’s resident professional for five years, and it was on the Pymble practice... Find out more

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Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort 247 km

Throughout his playing career, Craig Parry has won tournaments around the world thanks to a mix of sound strategy, good ball-striking and a first-class short game. He brought those same key elements – golfing... Find out more

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Concord Golf Club 247 km

From the very first days that golf was played in New South Wales, the name Concord has been part of the landscape. Established in 1899, golf began on the current site – on a layout designed by Dan Soutar, who... Find out more

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Keston Rose Garden Cafe

Keston Rose Garden Cafe sits proudly among blooming roses in a gorgeous country garden, about five minutes’ drive out of Wellington. It’s a perfect spot for a morning or afternoon coffee with homemade cakes... Find out more

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The Grange Restaurant

In the sprawling grounds of the historic Hermitage Hill retreat, The Grange Restaurant serves hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners, with a focus on local produce and modern cuisine. There are staples such as steak and... Find out more

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Hunter Beer Company 227 km

Potters Brewery, as this microbrewery is also known, might seem like a rather odd addition to this convention-based accommodation complex, which is named after the historic beehive-shaped pottery kilns scattered around... Find out more

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Tooheys Brewery 243 km

Tooheys remains the last of Sydney’s long-running mainstream breweries still currently operating. Founders James and John Toohey were cattle farmers before they entered the beer game, buying the Darling Brewery (it... Find out more

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Paddy's Brewery 245 km

There may be more unlikely venues for a craft brewery but, offhand, I can’t think of one. The Markets Hotel is a 24-hour pub opposite Sydney’s Flemington fresh produce market, where you’re more likely... Find out more

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Lake Burrendong State Park camping area 20 km

Turn onto Burrendong Rd off Wellington–Orange Rd north of Mumbil, and you’ll soon find this camping area. Activities include golf, sailing, hiking, canoeing, fishing waterskiing and a waterslide.... Find out more

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Mookerawa Waters Park camping area 31 km

To get here, follow Mookerawa Rd for 10 km from Stuart Town, off the Wellington–Orange Rd. Facilities and activities match those at the Lake Burrendong State Park camping area, but there are no powered sites here.... Find out more

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Big4 Dubbo Parklands 47 km

One of the BIG4 conglomerates, Dubbo Parklands is located on the Newell Hwy less than 2 km south of the town centre and supplies top-notch park facilities, including a recreation room with table tennis, movies and a... Find out more

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Greenbah camping area 55 km

Bring your binoculars and your bird-identification guide to this camping area next to Greenbah Creek, as it’s a top spot for birdwatching. To get here, turn off Baldry–Peak Hill Rd onto Sawpit Gully Trail... Find out more

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Wanda Wandong camping area 60 km

Let the children run free in this spacious, grassy camping ground, 700 m off the Tomingley–Obley Rd, 3 km north of Tomingley. This is the best section of the park to visit for 2WD vehicles towing caravans; even so,... Find out more

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Glendora camping area 68 km

Glendora is one of 2 camping areas in the vicinity of Hill End, 85 km north of Bathurst via Sofala and 72 km south of Mudgee. Hill End’s fascinating gold-rush history draws crowds of up to 35,000 annually, and... Find out more

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Village Campground 69 km

This is one of 2 camping areas in the vicinity of Hill End, a small village with a fascinating goldmining history. The village is 85 km north of Bathurst via Sofala and 72 km south of Mudgee; the campground is in the... Find out more

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Turon Crossing Reserve camping area 72 km

There are 2 campsites included in Turon Crossing Reserve: 7.3 km and 8.2 km south of Hill End. There’s a concrete causeway crossing of Turon River 8 km south of Hill end that may be impassable after rain, even for... Find out more

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Cave Hole Reserve camping area 72 km

On the northern side of Monaghans Bluff, Cave Hole Reserve is about 9 km south of Hill End.... Find out more

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Mary Flynn Reserve camping area 72 km

You’ll find the Mary Flynn Reserve camping area just over 10 km south of Hill End and 1.2 km south of Cave Hole Reserve.... Find out more

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Wellington Valley Caravan Park 1 km

On the Mitchell Highway on the eastern approach to Wellington this older park has been renovated and transformed. The convenient drive-through sites and grassy camping areas are a feature.... Find out more

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Wellington Riverside Tourist Park 2 km

This is a well-maintained park on the banks of the Macquarie River, close to the highway and just a short walk to the centre of town. The park has good facilities at a budget price. Bookings are required at peak times... Find out more

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Wellington Caves Holiday Complex 7 km

Relax and let a few days slip by at this spacious park, located 6 km south of the town centre alongside the Wellington Caves, a popular tourist attraction. It is a quality park and makes an ideal stopover. Bookings are... Find out more

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BIG4 Dubbo Parklands 47 km

This is a very good park at the southern entrance to the city, the closest to Taronga Western Plains Zoo. The place has a large selection of accommodation and very good amenities. Winter months can be very busy as... Find out more

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Dubbo City Holiday Park 48 km

Enjoy the sights of Dubbo from this centrally located park. It is conveniently situated on the Newell Highway about 2 km from the city centre and just a short drive from the Taronga Western Plains Zoo. This park has a... Find out more

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West View Tourist Caravan Park 50 km

Located alongside the Mitchell Highway on the western approach to town, this is a convenient overnight stop. It is budget priced and dog friendly. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Peak Hill Caravan Park 73 km

This owner-operated park offers a range of accommodation and is ideal for an overnight stay. It is a small, budget-priced park, located off the main highway and just a short walk from the town centre. The owners supply... Find out more

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Colour City Caravan Park 81 km

This is a council park with good basic facilities in a quiet, off-highway position, about 2 km north of the city centre, adjoining the showgrounds. It is good value at a budget price. Bookings are recommended all year... Find out more

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Spicer Caravan Park 96 km

This is a budget-priced, council-owned park with good basic facilities, about 2 km from the town centre. It is in a quiet spot, off the main highway, about 16 km from the Parkes satellite dish. Bookings are required in... Find out more

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Gilgandra Caravan Park 97 km

Located alongside the highway on the northern side of the Castlereagh River, this budget-priced park is set on an impressive expanse of lawn with large shady trees. Enjoy the pool, cook a barbecue or take your dog for a... Find out more

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Carinya B&B

Carinya is a heritage homestead offering B&B accommodation close to all the local attractions such as Wellington Caves and the Japanese Garden. This is a very pretty guesthouse with comfortable guest rooms and... Find out more

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Wellington Caves Holiday Complex

Situated 6 kilometres from town, next door to the golf course, Japanese gardens and a short walk from the caves, this is a secluded, relaxed camping ground with self-contained cabins. The cabins are open-plan, with... Find out more

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Clonturkle Sanctuary 130 km

Join the experiment in sustainable living and tourism at Clonturkle Earth Hamlet and Forest Sanctuary. Located at Yetholme, there are four cabins set on 240 hectares of mostly eucalypt forest, with 15 kilometres of... Find out more

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Dargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 159 km

At the soft end of ecotourism, this pleasant lodge and wellness retreat has advanced eco-certification. It is surrounded by a mountain ash forest dotted with waratahs, the habitat of wombats and wallabies. With a maximum... Find out more

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Woolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 172 km

Eleven kilometres from Blackheath and surrounded by a glorious natural amphitheatre of towering sandstone walls, the Woolshed Cabins sit on 100 hectares of cleared farmland (a working cattle farm) in the Kanimbla Valley,... Find out more

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Jenolan Cabins 172 km

These basic but cosy self-contained cabins, 6 kilometres up the steep hill past Jenolan Caves, are earth-sheltered for climate control and have composting toilets and rainwater. There are great views over the mountains,... Find out more

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Kanimbla View, Blackheath 173 km

Solar-powered, the two- and three-bedroom cottages here are surprisingly large inside. They are partially constructed from recycled and salvaged timbers, have composting toilets and a great view of the Kanimbla Valley... Find out more

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Wollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 176 km

These unusual self-contained cabins of various sizes feature passive solar design and are mainly constructed from recycled and salvaged materials. Although not high-class, they all have a spa and are in isolated bush... Find out more

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Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 176 km

One of the first working examples of large-scale sustainable tourism to exist in Australia, Jemby-Rinjah has advanced eco-accreditation, and one of the most extensive systems of composting toilets in the country. Ten... Find out more

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Old Leura Dairy 181 km

This creative collection of six buildings, which can sleep up to 30 people in various combinations, has been renovated and fitted out with all manner of recycled bits and bobs. There are old oven doors, rusted corrugated... Find out more

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Bunjaree Cottages, Wentworth Falls 187 km

Great for families, Bunjaree Cottages have been designed to make a small environmental footprint, with full solar power and earth-brick insulation. One is built with recycled car tyres and mud, providing even better... Find out more

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Somewhere Unique, Wollombi 212 km

The two stand-alone, couples-only cottages here are stylish, contemporary and have passive solar design. They are eco-accredited, on an 8-hectare bushland reserve, and use only renewable energy and Greenfleet vehicles.... Find out more

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Wellington South Rest Area 8 km

56 km N of Molong (R) or 9 km S of Wellington (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 37.413 E148 56.885... Find out more

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Geurie North Rest Area 22 km

24 km NW of Wellington (L) or 27 km SE of Dubbo (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 23.306 E148 48.978... Find out more

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Two Mile Creek Rest Area 31 km

32 km N of Molong (L) or 33 km S of Wellington (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 50.029 E148 54.404... Find out more

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Bell River Rest Area 40 km

23 km N of Molong (R) or 42 km S of Wellington (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 54.712 E148 53.429  ... Find out more

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Panai Rest Area 48 km

106 km NE of Parkes (L) or 14 km SW of Dubbo (R) Secluded area just off the highway among some large trees. Good shade. GPS: S32 19.800 E148 30.504  ... Find out more

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Brocklehurst Rest Area 53 km

9 km N of Dubbo (L) or 57 km S of Gilgandra (R) Large area just off the highway around a few trees. Good shade. GPS: S32 10.299 E148 37.151   ... Find out more

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Terramungamine Camp Area 55 km

T/O 8 km N of Dubbo (L) or 58 km S of Gilgandra (R) Large area 4 kilometres west of the highway on the bank of the river. GPS: S32 10.124 E148 35.198 ... Find out more

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Dubbo West Rest Area 55 km

8 km W of Dubbo (R) or 32 km E of Narromine (L) Small area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 12.243 E148 32.358 ... Find out more

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Molong Park Area 61 km

South side of town Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 05.966 E148 52.297... Find out more

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Tomingley Creek Rest Area 63 km

74 km NE of Parkes (L) or 46 km SW of Dubbo (R) Large area just off the highway surrounded by trees. Limited shade. GPS: S32 31.283 E148 16.763  ... Find out more

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Kingsley Fairborough Park Area 63 km

30 km NW of Orange (R) or 4 km SE of Molong (L) Small grassed area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 07.26 E148 54.31  ... Find out more

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Gamboola Rest Area 68 km

17 km NW of Orange (L) or 17 km SE of Molong (R) Small area just off the highway. Reasonable shade. GPS: S33 09.44 E149 00.36... Find out more

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Tomingley South Rest Area 68 km

64 km N of Parkes (R) or 56 km S of Dubbo (L) Large area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S32 35.698 E148 13.176 ... Find out more

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Narromine East Rest Area 72 km

36 km W of Dubbo (R) or 4 km E of Narromine (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 14.618 E148 16.179... Find out more

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Gilgandra Park Area 96 km

South side of town Large parking area at the information centre. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S31 43.286 E148 39.393  ... Find out more

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Macquarie Wood Camp Area 101 km

T/O 28 km W of Bathurst (R) or 28 km E of Orange (L) Large open grassed area located 2 kilometres north of the highway among some large trees. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S33 24.34... Find out more

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The Rocks Rest Area 105 km

20 km W of Bathurst (R) or 36 km E of Orange (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S33 25.56 E149 22.48  ... Find out more

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Billabong Creek Rest Area 106 km

23 km N of Forbes (R) or 10 km S of Parkes (L) Small area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 12.531 E148 07.473 ... Find out more

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Trangie Park Area 107 km

South side of town Small parking area just off the highway. Good facilities but only limited shade. GPS: S32 01.45 E147 59.672... Find out more

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Collie East Rest Area 110 km

22 km W of Gilgandra (R) or 63 km E of Warren (L) Small area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S31 39.462 E148 26.858... Find out more

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Blayney Park Area 113 km

West side of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 32.263 E149 15.254... Find out more

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Fullers Lane Rest Area 117 km

60 km NE of Cowra (R) or 49 km SW of Bathurst (L) Small area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 35.890 E149 09.927 ... Find out more

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Carcoar Dam Camp Area 119 km

T/O 62 km NE of Cowra (R) or 47 km SW of Bathurst (L) Large camp area located 2 kilometres south of the highway on the shores of the dam. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 36.717 E149 10.864 ... Find out more

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Tooraweenah Rest Area 121 km

39 km NE of Gilgandra (L) or 55 km SW of Coonabarabran (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S31 28.147 E148 55.246  ... Find out more

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Hickey Falls Rest Area 125 km

55 km NE of Gilgandra (L) or 39 km SW of Coonabarabran (R) Large area just off the highway among some large trees. Good shade. GPS: S31 25.841 E149 04.101... Find out more

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Forbes Rest Area 128 km

South side of town Large area on the riverbank 500 metres north-west of the highway past the Forbes Lake Motel. Good shade. Facilities at adjacent day use area. GPS: S33 23.292 E148 00.110... Find out more

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Sunny Corner Camp Area 128 km

T/O 34 km E of Bathurst (L) or 28 km W of Lithgow (R) Secluded campground located 7 kilometres north of the highway. GPS: S33 23.267 E149 53.542  ... Find out more

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Warren Park Area 141 km

East side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S31 41.817 E147 50.414  ... Find out more

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Sandy Creek Rest Area 141 km

7 km SW of Warren (L) or 12 km NE of Nevertire (R) Small area just off the highway among some large shady trees. GPS: S31 44.56 E147 47.01 ... Find out more

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Lake Wallace Park Area 142 km

T/O 51 km E of Bathurst (L) or 11 km W of Lithgow (R) Large area 2 kilometres north of the highway on the shores of the lake. Good facilities but only limited shade. GPS: S33 24.849 E150 04.255 ... Find out more

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