Explore Australia

St John's Anglican Church This convict-built church was made with bricks of local clay in 1833 and features beautiful stained-glass windows and original cedar furnishings. The church is noted as the place where bushranger Captain Thunderbolt married Mary Ann Bugg. Cowper St.Underground silo: one of 8 brick-lined silos built in 1841 for grain storage, it can be inspected by descending a steel ladder; Silo Hill Reserve, off Broadway St. Self-guide town walk: covers 32 historic sites including Orchard Cottage (1830s) and St Columbanus Catholic Church (1857), which is still in original condition; brochure from visitor centre.

Dungog In 1838 this town, nestled in the Williams River valley, was established as a military outpost to prevent bushranging by local villains such as Captain Thunderbolt. North of Dungog is Chichester Dam, with its blue-gum surrounds, and east of the dam is Chichester State Forest. In the foothills of the Barrington Tops, the forest has picnic spots, camping, lookouts and walking trails. 22 km W.

Port Stephens 35 km

 Port Stephens is about 220 km north of Sydney and offers a mixed bag of quality species. In the estuaries, bream, flathead, mulloway and whiting dominate the catch while beach anglers do well on tailor, whiting and... Find out more

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Hawkesbury-Nepean River 146 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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Botany Bay 190 km

Recently I fished a hot-water outlet alongside the Kurnell refinery pier in Botany Bay, a few hundred metres from a monument dedicated to Captain James Cook’s landing in Australia in April 1770. A year before,... Find out more

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South-West Rocks 198 km

When it comes to popularity, there are two types of fishing destinations: those that are hot all the time and those that wax and wane depending on the season. South West Rocks is in the first category. For as long as I... Find out more

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Port Hacking 202 km

In my youth, bream was a species anglers sought to put food on the table. It was a ‘kill it and fillet’ favourite. Both yellowfin and black bream fought well, but the sedentary nature of bait fishing –... Find out more

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Lithgow to Mudgee 210 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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Snorkelling and diving around Nelson Bay 39 km

Nelson Bay and surrounds offer some superb snorkelling and diving. Many locations are accessible by boat only, such as beautiful Broughton Island, but there are some exceptional shore dives and snorkelling – some... Find out more

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Kayaking, Newcastle to Port Macquarie 44 km

Barrington Outdoor Adventure Centre at Gloucester offers an exciting one-day tour down the Barrington River. Guides can tailor the trip for beginners or family groups, choosing a quieter part of the river where there are... Find out more

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Barrington Tops National Park 56 km

Best known for its superb bushwalking among ancient Antarctic beech forest and rainforest that receives snow several times a year, this 83 403-hectare park is one of the highest spots on the Great Dividing Range and even... Find out more

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Birdwatching near Newcastle 61 km

A reclaimed 45-hectare wetland area just 10 minutes drive from the centre of Newcastle has been Ramsar-listed and is an excellent spot to see up to 213 bird species, including more than 2000 pairs of breeding egrets. The... Find out more

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Burning Mountain Nature Reserve 118 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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Sea Acres Nature Reserve 140 km

This cool coastal forest, 5 kilometres south of Port Macquarie, is great for a stop and a gentle stroll, with lush rainforest extending right down to the beach. There is a 1.5-kilometre wheelchair-accessible boardwalk,... Find out more

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The Great North Walk 154 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 156 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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Houseboating on the Macleay River 168 km

Although large chugging houseboats can be an environmental no-no, Macleay River Houseboats at Kempsey are small – designed for just two people – use relatively clean four-stroke petrol motors, have... Find out more

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Kayaking in Sydney 172 km

Surprisingly, this activity has only taken off in Sydney in the past few years. With a city centred on such great waterways, there is plenty to explore, whether just for an hour or two, or a whole week. Sydney Harbour... Find out more

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Pacific Dunes Golf Club 41 km

Advances in club and ball technology, aimed at helping players hit longer and straighter, have had a big effect on golf course architecture since the early 1990s. Many new developers have urged designers to stretch... Find out more

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Newcastle Golf Club 54 km

Long before American Tom Doak became the revered course designer he is today, he travelled the world playing and studying more than 800 courses. He made notes on every one, before compiling them into what he called ... Find out more

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The Vintage Golf Club 71 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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Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club 109 km

There is something truly inspiring about a golf course – whatever the quality of its playing surfaces – that offers the smells and sounds of the ocean. This is perhaps what first persuaded the Scots to use... Find out more

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Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort 110 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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Monash Country Club 157 km

The first few years after World War II were boom years for golf course construction in Sydney, particularly north of the harbour. The founding members of Monash Country Club – which is today located high in the... Find out more

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Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club 158 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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Long Reef Golf Club 160 km

Occupying the Long Reef headland on Sydney’s northern beaches – ‘one of the best sites of any golf course in Sydney’, according to five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson – this... Find out more

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Pymble Golf Club 166 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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Avondale GOLF CLUB 168 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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Lizzie’s Cafe Brasserie

Find a seat on the lovely terrace overlooking the small town of Stroud to enjoy breathtaking valley views at this golf course cafe. Inside is more of a large-room, club-style space, with cold beer on tap and plenty of... Find out more

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Terra Cottage Gallery and Cafe

Serving light meals, morning and afternoon tea, great coffee and excellent desserts, this bustling cafe surrounds a picturesque pond and waterfall area outside a thatched roof pavilion. The mudbrick gallery sells a... Find out more

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Billy Kwong 179 km

This up-market restaurant in Surry Hills claims to have been the first restaurant in New South Wales that chose to become carbon neutral. Owned and run by passionate advocate of sustainability and ethical eating Kylie... Find out more

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Green Gourmet 181 km

These totally vegan restaurants have fascinating dishes including mock fish, made from taro, mushroom steaks and desserts such as green tea moon cake.... Find out more

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Murray's Craft Brewing Company 42 km

But there’s a-nothing so lonesome, morbid or drear, Than to stand in the bar of a pub with no beer. So sang the late country singing legend Slim Dusty and, more importantly, the words of the famous song were penned... Find out more

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Steel River Brewery 58 km

Every brewhouse has its own distinct personality – new ones are punched out in uniform fashion and pretty much look the same, but pre-loved ones tend to have a bit more character and, more often than not, a... Find out more

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Bluetongue Brewery 64 km

Set up in 2004 by a consortium of Hunter region identities, including wine man Bruce Tyrell and hotelier Ian Burford, Bluetongue Brewery soon established a significant regional market for its premium lager and alcoholic... Find out more

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Hunter Beer Company 73 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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The Little Brewing Company 136 km

Australia’s new breed of brewer can arrive at the craft by sometimes circuitous routes. For Warwick Little, that included 20 years as an ambulance officer, home brewing, a wine science course and a pair of... Find out more

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4 Pines Brewing Company 167 km

What do Margaret River and Manly have in common? Well, they both have popular surfing spots and craft breweries or, at least, they do now. The Mitchell family had seen the burgeoning Margaret River microbrewing scene... Find out more

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Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel 176 km

Sydney’s longest-running brew-pub is many things rolled into one fine watering hole – an institution for ale lovers, a tourist magnet and a haven for homesick Poms. The historic sandstone pub is as comfy as a... Find out more

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Redoak Brewery 177 km

Redoak burst onto the craft-beer scene by winning a swag of medals at the 2004 Australian International Beer Awards before they had sold even a single drop. And they have continued to collect an impressive array of... Find out more

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Schwartz Brewery 178 km

Tucked away in the basement of the heritage-listed Macquarie Hotel in Surry Hills, this 8-hectolitre microbrewery is the hub of a burgeoning craft-beer empire run by owner Dr Jerry Schwartz. Apart from supplying the pub,... Find out more

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Strike-a-light camping area 12 km

Although it's no longer managed by Forests NSW as a designated camping area, this is a large, grassy spot where you can put up a tent overnight. It's not far from Mammy Johnson's River and its tributaries, about 22 km... Find out more

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Double Wharf Campground 19 km

This campground is accessed via Googes Rd off Hobarts Forest Rd. It’s 4WD access only, and you’ll need to bring your own portable toilet, firewood and drinking water.... Find out more

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Dungog Caravan Park 20 km

A quaint little spot by the Williams River, on Stroud Rd 700 m north of town, Dungog is a comfortable place to use as a base for exploring nearby Barrington Tops National Park and Chichester State Forest. There’s... Find out more

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Tattersalls Campground 20 km

Located on the Karuah River, access is via Hobart Rd from Limeburners Creek. The site is for self-sufficient campers only, as there are no facilities, and access is 4WD only. Bring water, firewood and preferably a... Find out more

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Wards Glen camping area 27 km

A basic bush site with no facilities, Wards Glen is for self-sufficient campers only. It’s dry-weather access only for 2WD vehicles, and set in the west of the reserve off Glen Rd. Bring drinking water and firewood... Find out more

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Williams River Holiday Park camping area 27 km

This extensive and well-equipped holiday park in Clarence Town provides a range of accommodation styles, from tent-based camping to air-conditioned cabins. Clarence Town was an important trading port in the 1800s; today,... Find out more

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Wharf Reserve camping area 27 km

Ah, the serenity. Watch the sun set over beautiful, tree-lined Williams River in historic Clarence Town, an old shipbuilding township 200 km north of Sydney and 50 km north of Newcastle. Coming from the south, take... Find out more

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Frying Pan Creek camping area 28 km

A picturesque campsite on the banks of Telegherry River, this is a particularly popular spot for mountain-bikers. Note: 2WD, dry-weather access only. Bring your own firewood and drinking water, or boil/treat water from... Find out more

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Coachwood camping area 28 km

This is a cracker of a campsite next to Telegherry River, with a welcoming swimming hole as well as a 2 km return walking track to Problem Creek Falls. With dry-weather-only access for 2WD vehicles, it's off Frying Pan... Find out more

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Telegherry Forest Park camping area 29 km

From this large grassed area on the banks of Telegherry River, you can pop off to go for a swim, a bushwalk, a bike ride, or take a look at the old logging machinery situated at the turn-off from Wangat Rd onto Middle... Find out more

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Alum Mountain Caravan Park 23 km

Located on the northern edge of town alongside the Pacific Highway, this is an older park with basic facilities. It is very convenient for an overnight stop or as a base to explore the local lakes and forests. Dogs are... Find out more

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BIG4 Karuah Jetty Village 29 km

Located in a quiet position a short distance from the Pacific Highway, this park has very good amenities and looks across the northern arm of Port Stephens. There is a long jetty, good for fishing, and a limited number... Find out more

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Australian Motor Homes Tourist Park 29 km

This park is designed for big rigs. Located alongside the Pacific Highway, west of Karuah, it is a great place for an overnight stay and popular with groups on weekends. The owners also operate a commercial fish farm,... Find out more

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Myall River Camp 33 km

This bush camp is located a few kilometres north of Hawks Nest, along a road accessible by conventional vehicles. Set on a large grassy expanse beside the Myall River, the camp has no power and limited facilities and... Find out more

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Myall Shores Nature Resort 34 km

Situated on the shores of Myall Lakes, access to this park is from Bulahdelah and 10 km of the road is unsealed. Located in a picture-postcard position close to the vehicle ferry crossing, it has good facilities and a... Find out more

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Hawks Nest Beach Holiday Park 36 km

Located just a short walk from a popular beach and the Hawks Nest Surf Club, this park is also only a kilometre from the centre of town. It has large expanses of lawn and is ideal for a family holiday or just a few... Find out more

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Discovery Holiday Parks – Port Stephens 37 km

Located in a quiet area of the Port Stephens region, this is a quality waterfront park ideal for a family holiday or just a few days. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies during all... Find out more

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Halifax Holiday Park 39 km

Close to the centre of Nelson Bay, this well-maintained tourist park adjoins a busy public boat ramp on the eastern shores of Port Stephens. There are often people cleaning their catch near the boat ramp and numerous... Find out more

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One Mile Beach Holiday Park 44 km

This quality, award-winning caravan park is located in the popular Port Stephens region, just a few kilometres south of Nelson Bay. Set alongside a popular surf beach, it has excellent amenities and great recreational... Find out more

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Bellhaven Caravan Park 47 km

With good access to the Pacific Highway, this basic park has grassy drive-through sites ideal for an overnight stop. The town centre is only a short drive away. Bookings are recommended all year round.... Find out more

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Orchard Cottage Accommodation

Orchard Cottage is one of Stroud’s original cottages (c. 1826). The self-contained accommodation sleeps six (one queen, one double, two singles) with one bathroom. Encircled by an English garden, it is perfectly... Find out more

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Telegherry Estate

Mingara Heavy Horse Stud and Telegherry Estate Vineyards form Telegherry Estate on 50 hectares of rolling countryside. Queen-sized bedrooms, kitchen facilities, a huge covered outdoor area, pool table and barbecue... Find out more

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Banjo’s Bushland Retreat, Vacy 45 km

With three self-contained lodges of various sizes and a recreation room that includes an environmental centre, this eco-accredited resort keeps nature as its focus. Even the nine-hole minigolf course weaves around the... Find out more

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Somewhere Unique, Wollombi 96 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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Australia Walkabout Park, Calga 133 km

You can camp out with the 180 species of wild animal in this 32-hectare feral-proofed wildlife park that has a solid history of conservation and caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. The overnight camping experience... Find out more

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Wollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 188 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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Dargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 202 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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Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 207 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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Bunjaree Cottages, Wentworth Falls 207 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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Kanimbla View, Blackheath 210 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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Old Leura Dairy 210 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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Woolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 210 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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Nerong Waterholes Rest Area 24 km

54 km N of Raymond Terrace (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 32.904 E152 09.206  ... Find out more

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Bulahdelah Rest Area 24 km

2 km N of Bulahdelah (R) or 70 km S of Taree (L) Small area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 23.506 E152 13.310   ... Find out more

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Browns Flat Rest Area 24 km

20 km S of Bulahdelah (L) southbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S32 33.335 E152 08.982  ... Find out more

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Station Creek Rest Area 26 km

42 km N of Raymond Terrace (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. GPS: S32 36.535 E152 05.746  ... Find out more

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Twelve Mile Hill Rest Area 31 km

15 km N of Raymond Terrace (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S32 39.744 E151 50.559... Find out more

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Medowie Road Rest Area 32 km

58 km S of Bulahdelah (L) southbound only Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S32 40.225 E151 50.113... Find out more

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Newmans Road Rest Areas 33 km

13 km N of Bulahdelah (L) or 59 km S of Taree (L) Small areas just off the highway (both sides). Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 21.059 E152 18.905 (NORTHBOUND) &        ... Find out more

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Wang Wauk Rest Area 43 km

36 km N of Bulahdelah (L) or 36 km S of Taree (R) Large area just off the highway. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S32 09.295 E152 19.352 ... Find out more

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Talawahl Creek Rest Area 60 km

18 km S of Taree (L) southbound only Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 02.987 E152 26.816 ... Find out more

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Four Mile Hill Rest Area 68 km

65 km N of Bulahdelah (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S31 57.781 E152 27.925 ... Find out more

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Pothana Lane Rest Area 69 km

30 km NW of Maitland (L) or 17 km SE of Singleton (R) Small area just off the highway via the old road. Limited shade. GPS: S32 39.433 E151 17.667  ... Find out more

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Golden Highway Junction Rest Area 74 km

36 km NW of Maitland (L) or 11 km SE of Singleton (R) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 38.553 E151 14.005  ... Find out more

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Singleton Park Area 76 km

South side of town Small parking area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S32 34.321 E151 10.852... Find out more

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Singleton North Rest Area 80 km

6 km NW of Singleton (R) or 43 km SE of Muswellbrook (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 31.437 E151 07.945 ... Find out more

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Coopernook Forest Camp Area 91 km

T/O 30 km N of Taree or 90 km S of Kempsey via Moorland Large grassed campground surrounded by forest located 5 kilometres west of the highway via Forest Road. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S31 47.330... Find out more

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Tom Cat Creek Rest Area 97 km

33 km N of Taree (L) or 87 km S of Kempsey (R) Small area just off the highway around a few trees. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S31 45.884 E152 40.291   ... Find out more

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Muswellbrook North Park Area 102 km

2 km N of Muswellbrook (R) or 23 km S of Scone (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 14.858 E150 53.764... Find out more

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Aberdeen Park Area 105 km

North side of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S32 09.641 E150 53.343... Find out more

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Service Centre 108 km

93 km N of Sydney (L) or 74 km S of Raymond Terrace (R) Highway Service Centre just off the highway. GPS: S33 15.322 E151 24.172... Find out more

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Scone Park Area 110 km

At the information centre Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S32 03.401 E150 52.174... Find out more

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Stockyard Creek Rest Area 115 km

81 km W of Wauchope (L) or 83 km SE of Walcha (R) Small area just off the highway surrounded by dense forest. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S31 24.10 E152 07.26  ... Find out more

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Ellenborough Reserve Camp Area 117 km

T/O 34 km W of Wauchope (R) or 130 km E of Walcha (L) Large grassed area 1 kilometre north of the highway on the riverbank. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S31 26.437 E152 27.678  ... Find out more

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Burning Mountain Rest Area 118 km

24 km N of Scone (R) or 108 km S of Tamworth (L) Large grassed area well off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S31 51.383 E150 54.016... Find out more

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Ourimbah Exit Rest Area 118 km

82 km N of Sydney (L) or 85 km S of Raymond Terrace (R) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 20.594 E151 22.046  ... Find out more

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Burrawan Rest Area 120 km

62 km N of Taree (L) northbound only Secluded area just off the highway. GPS: S31 33.103 E152 45.266 ... Find out more

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Blandford Park Area 123 km

North end of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S31 46.675 E150 53.547 ... Find out more

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Ponderosa Park Camp Area 124 km

T/O 82 km N of Scone (R) or 5 km E of Tamworth to Nundle (L) Large camp area in the forest 17 kilometres east of Nundle via Hanging Rock Road. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S31 27.817 E151 15.433  ... Find out more

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Sheba Dams Camp Area 124 km

T/O 82 km N of Scone (R) or 5 km E of Tamworth to Nundle (L) Large secluded area on the shore of the dam 11 kilometres east of Nundle via Hanging Rock Road. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S31 29.890 E151 11.843 ... Find out more

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Teamsters Rest Camp Area 127 km

T/O 82 km N of Scone (R) or 5 km E of Tamworth to Nundle (L) Secluded area by the creek 14 km south of Nundle via Crawney Road. Good shade. NOTE: Part unsealed access. GPS: S31 33.399 E151 03.390... Find out more

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Motorway Park Area 132 km

73 km N of Taree (R) or 47 km S of Kempsey (L) Highway Service Centre. GPS: S31 27.757 E152 49.188... Find out more

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