Major city · Australia
Moonan Flat
One night, not a base: come for the Barrington Tops Polblue and Honeysuckle tracks, sleep at the pub, leave on the sealed road. Skip if you have no 4WD and no wet-weather plan.
Moonan Flat is a village of about 128 people on the Upper Hunter, on the western edge of Barrington Tops National Park and the closest settlement to the park's Polblue and Honeysuckle section. There is one café-restaurant and one pub with rooms. You come here for the plateau walks and the quiet, not for a town.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr for the plateau; the park road is often closed by snow or mud in winter
- avoid Jun–Aug (snow and ice on the plateau, unsealed road closures)
- Airports
- SYD · NTL
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Moonan Flat000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Moonan Flat, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are the unsealed park road, sudden weather on the plateau, wildlife at dusk and no phone signal.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles · 132 500 NSW SES (floods and storms)
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSYD Sydney Kingsford Smith (About 4 h by road via the M1 and New England Highway; no rail link to Moonan Flat).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Sit-down mealPub or café dinner, mainA$25–40 (≈ US$17–30)
- BeerPub beer, schoonerA$7–10 (≈ US$5–7)
- Budget bedVictoria Hotel bunk room, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedVictoria Hotel double room, a night, per roomA$150 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedVictoria Hotel double room, a night, per roomA$190 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$80 (≈ US$55) · Mid A$140 (≈ US$95) · High A$220 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith (About 4 h by road via the M1 and New England Highway; no rail link to Moonan Flat) · NTL Newcastle Williamtown (About 2 h 45 min by road via Scone; the closer of the two)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Aug
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jul (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Aug (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Moonan Flat: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Jul
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Hunter Road is the only sealed road in; Barrington Tops Forest Road (Tourist Drive 29) runs through the park and down to the village unsealed. The village is small enough to walk end to end in a few minutes.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Barrington Tops, Polblue and Honeysuckle
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min to the plateau
Barrington Tops Forest Road from the village, unsealed through the park
The reason to come. 4WD or a careful 2WD in dry weather; check road status first.
Scone
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Hunter Road south to the New England Highway
Fuel, supermarkets and the nearest hospital.
Gloucester
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min in dry weather
Barrington Tops Forest Road east through the park, then the sealed road
The park road is unsealed and can be closed; the long way round via Scone is sealed but far longer.
Nundle
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Hunter Road north, unsealed
Unsealed the whole way; only in a 4WD.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mitchell Street, Moonan Flat
The village itself: the Victoria Hotel has two double rooms, one family room and three bunk rooms, shared bathrooms, free Wi-Fi. The only place to sleep in the village.
Moonan Brook
A cottage about 1.2 km (0.7 mi) off the Barrington Tops road, 455 Moonan Brook Rd. Quiet, self-contained, needs a car for everything.A cottage about 0.7 mi (1.2 km) off the Barrington Tops road, 455 Moonan Brook Rd. Quiet, self-contained, needs a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$80–130 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$130–200 (≈ US$90–140) excl. bed
- High
- A$200 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Victoria Hotel double room1 × 1 night × A$150 | A$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$140 | A$280 |
| Fuel, Scone return1 × A$40 · check | A$40 |
| Dinner at the pub or café2 × A$30 | A$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$20 | A$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$57 |
| Trip total≈ A$314 per person per day, bed included | A$627≈ US$450 |
check
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel to get here excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Burger, pie or wrap at the café | A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17) |
| Pub beer, schooner | A$7–10 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Pub or café dinner, main | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Fuel, per litre at Scone | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Do not drive the unsealed park road in a 2WD: it is poorly maintained and can be closed after rain or snow.
- Fuel and groceries: fill up and shop in Scone or Gloucester before you turn off. There is no service station in the village.
- Mobile coverage is patchy away from the village; download maps before you leave the highway.
- The café and pub keep short hours: check before you count on dinner.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
- NSW SES (floods and storms)
- 132 500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moonan FlatMoonan Flat
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
4 Mitchell St, Moonan Flat NSW 2337To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
- NSW SES132 500
Embassy
No consulates here; the nearest are in Sydney. US, UK, Canadian and other embassies are in Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Scone → Moonan Flat, Hunter Road: about 45 min, sealed
- Moonan Flat → Polblue, park road: about 30–45 min, unsealed
Say or show
- Scone or Gloucester, not the village — Where is the nearest fuel?
- check with NSW National Parks before you drive it — Is the park road open?
No phone signal on much of the plateau. Carry water and a paper map.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Moonan Flat. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr for the plateau; the park road is often closed by snow or mud in winter · avoid Jun–Aug (snow and ice on the plateau, unsealed road closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Road-status fixture for Barrington Tops Forest Road with a Scone/Gloucester fallback.
- Fuel and food cutoff page for Scone and Gloucester.
- Two sleep pages (Victoria Hotel, Moonan Brook Cottage) with check-in and cancellation terms.
- Plateau walk pages with distances, grade and wet-weather notes.