Murrurundi

Paradise Park This horseshoe-shaped park lies at the base of a steep hill. Behind the park take a walk through the 'Edge of the Needle', a small gap in the rocks that opens to a path leading to the top of the hill and fantastic views.

St Joseph's Catholic Church: 1000-piece Italian marble altar; Polding St. Self-guide heritage walk: National Trust–classified sites; brochure from visitor centre.

Wallabadah Rock The second largest monolith in the Southern Hemisphere, the rock is a large plug (959 m high) of an extinct volcano. There are spectacular flowering orchids in Oct. The rock is on private property, with a good view from the road. Access is possible with the owner's permission (02) 6546 6881. 26 km NE.

Chilcotts Creek: diprotodon remains were found here (now in Australian Museum, Sydney); 15 km N. Burning Mountain: deep coal seam that has been smouldering for at least 5000 years; 20 km S.

Port Stephens 158 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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Lithgow to Mudgee 197 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 205 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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Lake Copeton 206 km

Lake Copeton has an excellent catchment area, fed by the Gwydir River and runoff from the New England Tablelands. The lake is about 46 km west of Inverell on the Gwydir Highway. Its dam wall was constructed primarily to... Find out more

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South-West Rocks 231 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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Botany Bay 249 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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Burning Mountain Nature Reserve 12 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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Barrington Tops National Park 73 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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Kayaking, Newcastle to Port Macquarie 110 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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Wine-tasting - Mudgee 150 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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Birdwatching near Newcastle 157 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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Koala-spotting - Coonabarabran 157 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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Armidale Bicentennial Arboretum 160 km

Armidale Bicentennial Arboretum, a dozen blocks from the centre of town, has thousands of native plants, walking tracks, picnic shelters and aquatic gardens with a waterfall.... Find out more

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Snorkelling and diving around Nelson Bay 163 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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Star-gazing - Coonabarabran 176 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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Birdwatching - Port Macquarie to Lismore 189 km

There are a couple of top birdwatching spots in the New England area. One of the most spectacular is an all-weather bird hide among masses of waterbirds at Quipolly Dam, about 18 kilometres north-east of Quirindi. Mother... Find out more

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The Vintage Golf Club 118 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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Pacific Dunes Golf Club 148 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 152 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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Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort 178 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 184 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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Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club 214 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 217 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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Castle Hill Country Club 218 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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Pymble Golf Club 220 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 222 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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Cafe Telegraph

Cafe Telegraph is located in the old telegraph office (c. 1870). It’s an excellent cafe in the heart of town, offering an array of gourmet interpretations of old cafe favourites. Here, the humble toasted cheese and... Find out more

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Billy Kwong 238 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 238 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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Hunter Beer Company 125 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 145 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 150 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 156 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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The Little Brewing Company 197 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 230 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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Tooheys Brewery 232 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 233 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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Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel 235 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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Washpools camping area 16 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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Teamsters Rest Camping Reserve 31 km

Next to Wombramurra Creek via Crawney Pass Rd (2WD in dry weather only), this is a popular spot for those wanting a bit of peace and quiet. There’s water in the creek – not enough to swim in – but... Find out more

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Lake Glenbawn camping area (caravan park) 41 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 42 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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Belmadar camping area 42 km

This comfortable camping ground is located in the picturesque town of Moonan Flat, on the Hunter River 50 km north-east from Scone. You can while away the hours fishing and swimming, and in the afternoon pop into the... Find out more

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Swamp Creek campsite 44 km

This popular gold- and gem-fossicking site is 3.5 km north of Nundle on Fossickers Way. If fossicking ain’t your thing, you can head out for a walk or a swim instead. You’ll need to bring your own drinking... Find out more

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Sheba Dams Reserve 45 km

Originally built for sluicing gold Sheba Dams Reserve, 11 km east of Nundle, is now a comfortable summer family-camping area. You can fish, swim or paddle and there’s a 1.2 km walking track leading around the dam.... Find out more

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Moonan Brook Forestry Cottage 47 km

This former 1800s schoolhouse in Moonan Brook, 3 km east of Moonan Flat, has been transformed into a comfortable cottage and bunkhouse sleeping up to 25 people. If your group is larger, there’s space for tents in... Find out more

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Bowling Alley Point Recreation Reserve 51 km

This camping area is on the foreshore of Chaffey Dam, 14 km north of Nundle and 45 km south-east of Tamworth. The dam is a popular place for watersports such as waterskiing and powerboating, while fishing enthusiasts vie... Find out more

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Ponderosa Forest Park 53 km

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Pages River Caravan Park 1 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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Lake Glenbawn State Park 41 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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Pinaroo Leisure Park 58 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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Austin Tourist Park 73 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 74 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 83 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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BIG4 Valley Vineyard Tourist Park 127 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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Country Road Caravan Park 139 km

A popular stopover on the New England Highway, this park has good facilities and is an ideal base for exploring the area. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Australian Motor Homes Tourist Park 139 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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Uralla Caravan Park 140 km

Located one block from the New England Highway and within easy walking distance of the town, this is a clean and tidy park suitable for short or longer visits.... Find out more

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Combadello Cottage

Become king of the mountain when you stay at this luxury self-contained three-bedroom cottage, 700 metres above sea level with unparalleled views of the Liverpool Ranges and the north face of Towarri National Park.... Find out more

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Banjo’s Bushland Retreat, Vacy 108 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 134 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 188 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 198 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 199 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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Clonturkle Sanctuary 210 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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Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 215 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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Woolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 215 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 216 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 220 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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Blandford Park Area 6 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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Burning Mountain Rest Area 12 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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Wallabadah Rest Area 25 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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Teamsters Rest Camp Area 31 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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Scone Park Area 33 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 44 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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Sheba Dams Camp Area 45 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 47 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 52 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 53 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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Muswellbrook North Park Area 54 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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Tamworth Park Area 74 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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Airport Rest Area 76 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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Singleton North Rest Area 89 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 95 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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Bendemeer Park Area 103 km

On the road into town Parking area just off the highway at the Memorial Park. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S30 52.762 E151 09.459  ... Find out more

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Golden Highway Junction Rest Area 104 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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Woolbrook Rest Area 104 km

T/O 30 km W of Walcha (R) or 20 km E of Bendemeer (L) Large grassed area 1 kilometre off the highway on the riverbank. Limited shade. GPS: S30 55.010 E151 18.988  ... Find out more

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Pothana Lane Rest Area 108 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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Red Bank Rest Area 111 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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Meridian Rest Area 111 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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Walcha East Rest Area 113 km

159 km NW of Wauchope (R) or 5 km SE of Walcha (L) Large open area just off the highway. GPS: S31 00.477 E151 38.171  ... Find out more

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Tia River Rest Area 114 km

128 km NW of Wauchope (L) or 36 km SE of Walcha (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S31 11.271 E151 49.858... Find out more

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Tia Falls Camp Area 117 km

T/O 129 km NW of Wauchope (R) or 35 km SE of Walcha (L) Small, secluded campground located 6 kilometres north of the highway in a pleasant forest setting near the falls in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Good... Find out more

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Stoney Creek Rest Area 118 km

141 km NW of Wauchope (L) or 23 km SE of Walcha (R) Small area adjacent to the highway on the banks of the creek. GPS: S31 04.594 E151 46.655... Find out more

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Apsley Falls Camp Area 118 km

T/O 145 km NW of Wauchope (R) or 19 km SE of Walcha (L) Large campground is situated 1 kilometre north of the highway in a pleasant bush setting near the falls in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Good facilities and... Find out more

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Kentucky Rest Area 124 km

72 km N of Tamworth (L) or 39 km S of Armidale (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S30 45.189 E151 23.039... Find out more

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Stockyard Creek Rest Area 132 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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Thunderbolts Rock Park Area 133 km

82 km N of Tamworth (R) or 29 km S of Armidale (L) Small area just off the highway. GPS: S30 41.726 E151 28.157... Find out more

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Twelve Mile Hill Rest Area 138 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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