Merriwa

Historical Museum: in stone cottage (1857) with documented history of the region and the belongings of European pioneers; Bettington St. Bottle Museum: over 5000 bottles of all shapes and sizes; open Mon–Fri; visitor centre. Self-guide historical walk: early school buildings, Holy Trinity Anglican Church (1875) and the Fitzroy Hotel (1892); brochure from visitor centre.

Coolah Tops National Park The plateaus at high altitude in this park provide wonderful lookouts over the Liverpool plains and some spectacular waterfalls. Vegetation consists of giant grass trees and tall open forests of snow gums, providing a home for wallabies, gliders, eagles and rare owls. There are superb campsites, walking trails and picnic spots. 107 km NW.

Cassilis: tiny village with historic sandstone buildings including St Columba's Anglican Church (1899) and the courthouse/police station (1858). The main streets have been declared an urban conservation area; 25 km NW. Flags Rd: old convict-built road leading to Gungal; 25 km SW. Gem-fossicking area: open to the public; 27 km SW. Goulburn River National Park: mostly sandstone walking tracks along the Goulburn River, honeycombed with caves; good rafting and access for boats; 35 km S.

Lithgow to Mudgee 144 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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Port Stephens 175 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 181 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 220 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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Port Hacking 226 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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Burning Mountain Nature Reserve 60 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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Wine-tasting - Mudgee 89 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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Barrington Tops National Park 112 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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Koala-spotting - Coonabarabran 140 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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Kayaking, Newcastle to Port Macquarie 152 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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Star-gazing - Coonabarabran 155 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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Picnicking in the Blue Mountains 155 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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Cycling around Newcastle 160 km

Take a scenic two- or three-hour guided cycling our around Newcastle, nearly all on flat bike paths, with Newcastle Bike Tours. If you want to cycle around on your own, hire from Civic Bikes, near the start of the... Find out more

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Picnicking around Dubbo 165 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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Ice-climbing 175 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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The Vintage Golf Club 113 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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Newcastle Golf Club 158 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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Pacific Dunes Golf Club 158 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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Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort 163 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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Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club 170 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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Castle Hill Country Club 185 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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Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club 187 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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Monash Country Club 192 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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Pymble Golf Club 192 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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Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club 192 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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Merriwa Cakes and Pastries

For some good old-fashioned baked goods, head to this bakery and join the locals queuing for hot pies and sausage rolls. There are also fresh sandwiches, wraps and rolls, but you’d be mad not to try one of their... Find out more

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Green Gourmet 209 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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Billy Kwong 209 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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Hunter Beer Company 119 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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Bluetongue Brewery 144 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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Steel River Brewery 153 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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Murray's Craft Brewing Company 169 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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Tooheys Brewery 200 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 202 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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4 Pines Brewing Company 204 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 206 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 208 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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Big River camping area 33 km

This sprawling grassed area is beside the Goulburn River, on Mogo Rd north of Wollar. Access is by 4WD only. Bring your own drinking water and firewood. Alternatively, you can boil or treat the river water.... Find out more

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Spring Gully camping area 34 km

On the banks of the Goulburn River on Mogo Rd, Spring Gully is 2WD access in dry weather only. Boil or treat river water before drinking or bring your own, along with firewood.... Find out more

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Washpools camping area 48 km

This secluded camping area is spacious, well shaded and good for families. You’ll need to cross Middlebrook Creek to get here – there’s a concrete causeway to make things easier, but flooding may occur... Find out more

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Brackens Cottage 53 km

This restored 1930s farm cottage is 40 km east of Coolah along Hildegard Rd off The Forest Rd. There’s a rainwater tank and firewood is supplied. Gas/fuel stove preferred. Advance bookings required via NPWS Mudgee.... Find out more

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Bald Hills camping area 53 km

This is a simple 2WD, dry-weather access camping area via Bald Hills Rd, off Hildegard Rd from the Forest Rd. You can also walk in from Norfolk Falls Picnic Area (approximately 4 km return, some steep sections). You can... Find out more

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The Pines camping area 54 km

This quieter, less extensive camping area is popular with groups. You’ll find it signposted along Hildegard Rd off The Forest Rd, 39 km east of Coolah. Bring your own drinking water and firewood; a gas or fuel... Find out more

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Coxs Creek camping area 56 km

Turn off The Forest Rd onto Pinnacle Rd, and you’ll soon reach a short track that leads to Coxs Creek camping area. There are a number of sites here, scattered along the pretty and sheltered Coxs Creek. You can... Find out more

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The Barracks camping area 56 km

The Barracks camping area is reached via Pinnacle Rd off The Forest Rd, 36 km east of Coolah. This is the more extensive of the park’s camping sites, with an information bay and sites for caravans. A 600 m walk... Find out more

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Lake Glenbawn camping area (caravan park) 60 km

This lake is camping paradise – you'll find everything you could possibly ask for here. The caravan park is on the western foreshore, near the tennis courts and golf course. There are tent sites as well, but the... Find out more

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Lake Glenbawn camping area 62 km

The main camping area for Lake Glenbawn State Park is on the lake's eastern shore. There are also bungalows and cabins, a boat ramp, children's playground, and even archery. Other activities include canoeing, fishing,... Find out more

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Pinaroo Leisure Park 54 km

Conveniently located alongside the highway just 3.5 km south of the town centre, this park is well laid out with a relaxing pool. It is ideal for an overnight stop or a longer visit to this Upper Hunter region.... Find out more

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Lake Glenbawn State Park 60 km

The park is 14 km from Scone or easily accessible from Aberdeen. The powered sites do not front the lake but there are unpowered sites available with lake frontage. This is a popular fishing spot where anglers catch... Find out more

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Pages River Caravan Park 61 km

On the northern edge of town, this small neatly maintained park is easily accessible from the New England Highway and is ideal for an overnight stay at an attractive price.... Find out more

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BIG4 Valley Vineyard Tourist Park 120 km

This is the best-located park for exploring the Hunter Valley wineries. Just 3 km from the centre of Cessnock, the park offers good facilities including a Thai restaurant.... Find out more

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Austin Tourist Park 127 km

This large park just 4 km from the town centre offers a range of facilities. A minimum booking period of 14 days applies during the country music festival. Bookings are also required at other peak times. Small dogs only... Find out more

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Paradise Caravan Park 128 km

The park is within walking distance from the centre of Tamworth and is extremely popular during the country music festival. Bookings are required at peak times, however bookings are not accepted during the month of... Find out more

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Kootingal Kourt Caravan Park 139 km

Conveniently located alongside the New England Highway, this tidy park is ideal for an overnight stop. It is also a good base for those attending the Tamworth Country Music Festival during January, when a booking is... Find out more

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Wellington Riverside Tourist Park 140 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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John Oxley Caravan Park 141 km

A large council park with good facilities, this place is conveniently located on the Newell Highway close to the town centre. It is ideal for an overnight stay.... Find out more

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Wellington Valley Caravan Park 141 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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Hidden Valley Homestead

This is a wonderful B&B and farmstay on 2.5 hectares of countryside. There are three comfortable accommodation options: ensuite motel-style guest rooms, a bunkhouse, and camping sites scattered throughout the... Find out more

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Somewhere Unique, Wollombi 117 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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Banjo’s Bushland Retreat, Vacy 118 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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Dargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 150 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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Wollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 153 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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Clonturkle Sanctuary 154 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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Australia Walkabout Park, Calga 164 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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Woolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 167 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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Kanimbla View, Blackheath 167 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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Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 168 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 174 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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Scone Park Area 49 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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Aberdeen Park Area 50 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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Muswellbrook North Park Area 52 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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Burning Mountain Rest Area 60 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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Blandford Park Area 65 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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Wallabadah Rest Area 81 km

North end of town Large area by Quirindi Creek behind the Memorial Gardens. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Toilets close at 5:00 pm. GPS: S31 32.169 E150 49.906... Find out more

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Singleton North Rest Area 85 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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Singleton Park Area 91 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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Teamsters Rest Camp Area 93 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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Golden Highway Junction Rest Area 100 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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Pothana Lane Rest Area 105 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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Sheba Dams Camp Area 107 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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Swamp Creek Camp Area 108 km

T/O 82 km N of Scone (R) or 5 km E of Tamworth to Nundle (L) Grassed area on the riverbank 4 kilometres north of Nundle via Hanging Rock Road. Good facilities. Limited shade. NOTE: Access part unsealed. GPS: S31... Find out more

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Ponderosa Park Camp Area 114 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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Bowling Alley Point Camp Area 114 km

T/O 82 km N of Scone (R) or 5 km E of Tamworth to Nundle (L) Large area on the shores of the reservoir 14 kilometres north of Nundle. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S31 21.669 E151 08.186 ... Find out more

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Meridian Rest Area 124 km

27 km SW of Gunnedah (R) or 79 km NE of Coonabarabran (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S31 03.809 E150 00.00 ... Find out more

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Red Bank Rest Area 125 km

63 km W of Tamworth (R) or 13 km E of Gunnedah (L) Large area adjacent to the highway on the banks of a small creek. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S30 59.40 E150 22.40... Find out more

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Airport Rest Area 127 km

9 km W of Tamworth (R) or 70 km E of Gunnedah (L) Large open area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S31 04.670 E150 51.042... Find out more

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Tamworth Park Area 128 km

East side of town Small parking area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S31 06.528 E150 57.245... Find out more

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Oxley's Crossing Rest Area 136 km

75 km SW of Gunnedah (R) or 31 km NE of Coonabarabran (L) Very small area adjacent to the highway surrounded by trees. GPS: S31 07.929 E149 32.661... Find out more

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North Gowan Rest Area 141 km

8 km N of Coonabarabran (L) or 110 km S of Narrabri (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S31 13.081 E149 19.586... Find out more

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Wellington South Rest Area 143 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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Lake Wallace Park Area 144 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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Hickey Falls Rest Area 145 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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Sunny Corner Camp Area 145 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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Geurie North Rest Area 148 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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