National park · Australia
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
Go for the gorge-rim lookouts: Apsley Falls is 1 km off the Oxley Highway with a 52 m stairway to a wheelchair-accessible deck, so a 1–2 h stop fits any Walcha–Armidale drive; add Wollomombi Falls on Waterfall Way, and skip the wilderness 4WD tracks unless you have low range and a permit key.Go for the gorge-rim lookouts: Apsley Falls is 0.6 mi off the Oxley Highway with a 52 m stairway to a wheelchair-accessible deck, so a 1–2 h stop fits any Walcha–Armidale drive; add Wollomombi Falls on Waterfall Way, and skip the wilderness 4WD tracks unless you have low range and a permit key.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,450 km²560 sq mi
approximate
Established
1986
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
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.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 1,450 km²560 sq mi
- About 145,000 ha; the park is made up of ten separate visitor areas (check).
- Established
- 1986
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park protects the Apsley and Macleay gorges on the New England tablelands, about 20 km east of Walcha and 40 km east of Armidale. It is one of the largest parks in New South Wales and part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage listing, recognised for its dry rainforest and the rare plants and animals that live in it. Almost all the visitor infrastructure sits on the gorge rim, so the big views cost you a short walk, not a long trek. The wild river country below — Riverside, Youdales Hut, East Kunderang — is 4WD and permit territory.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1986Part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, listed for its dry rainforest and biodiversity.
Size and age
1,450 km²560 sq mi · national park since 1986
About 145,000 ha; the park is made up of ten separate visitor areas (check).
Why go
- Gorge-rim lookouts you can reach in a normal car: Apsley Falls, Tia Falls, Wollomombi Falls and Dangars Falls all sit close to sealed roads.
- Apsley Falls has a 52 m steel stairway down to an observation deck with disabled access, plus two short rim walks.
- Wollomombi Falls drops into a deep gorge and is one of the highest waterfalls in New South Wales — best after rain.
- The wilderness end of the park, on the Apsley and Macleay rivers, is genuine 4WD and bushwalking country with almost nobody in it.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot on the tablelands; summer storms common
- FebStorm season; falls flow well
- MarCooling; green gorges
- AprClear, mild days; good walking
- MayCrisp and dry; frosts start at night
- JunCold nights; ice in water bottles
- JulColdest month; clear gorge views
- AugCold, dry; frosty mornings
- SepMild; wildflowers and steady flows
- OctWarm and clear; best all-round
- NovWarm; afternoon storms build
- DecHot; school-holiday crowds at Apsley Falls
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry rainforest and Gondwana plant communitiesAll year · The reason the park is World Heritage listed; look for it in the sheltered gorge country. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Goannas around campgroundsOct–Mar · They will take food left out; hang it or lock it away. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| SnakesOct–Mar · Seen on warm days; they rarely attack unless provoked. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Ticks and leechesNov–Apr · Common in damp gorge country after rain. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Walcha
Oxley Highway east; Apsley Falls turnoff is 1 km off the highway on a sealed road, Tia Falls is a further 6 km off the highway.Oxley Highway east; Apsley Falls turnoff is 0.6 mi off the highway on a sealed road, Tia Falls is a further 3.7 mi off the highway.
20–45 min
From Armidale
Waterfall Way east for Wollomombi Falls; Dangarsleigh Road south-east for Dangars Gorge; Castledoyle Road for Gara Gorge.
30–50 min
From Sydney
Drive the New England Highway via Tamworth and Walcha, or fly to Armidale and hire a car.
5.5–6.5 h by road
Open the page →
From Port Macquarie
Oxley Highway west over the ranges to Walcha, then on to the falls.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Apsley Falls and Tia Falls (Walcha side) | The two most visited falls, with rim walks, picnic areas and campgrounds. | Sealed road, 2WD; small day-use fee none. |
| Wollomombi Falls and Dangars Gorge (Armidale side) | Gorge lookouts, waterfalls after rain and short rim trails off Waterfall Way. | Sealed road, 2WD; camping at both. |
| Gara Gorge | Picnic area, swimming holes and bush walks at the site of Australia's first public hydro-electric scheme. | Day use only, 2WD. |
| Apsley–Macleay wilderness (Riverside, Youdales Hut, East Kunderang) | The wild river country: camping areas, a historic hut and a colonial homestead deep in the gorges. | Low-range 4WD, permit and gate key; trailers not permitted. |
Sketch map
- 1Walcha · Town≈-30.985, 151.594Map ↗
- 2Apsley Falls · Viewpoint≈-31.050, 151.770Approximate; 1 km off the Oxley Highway, 20 km east of Walcha.Approximate; 0.6 mi off the Oxley Highway, 12 mi east of Walcha.Map ↗
- 3Tia Falls · Viewpoint≈-31.050, 151.870Approximate; 6 km off the Oxley Highway.Approximate; 3.7 mi off the Oxley Highway.Map ↗
- 4Budds Mare campground and lookout · Sleep≈-30.930, 151.900Approximate; 44 km east of Walcha via Moona Plains Road, last 8 km unpaved.Approximate; 27 mi east of Walcha via Moona Plains Road, last 5 mi unpaved.Map ↗
- 5Riverside Rest Area · Sleep≈-30.910, 151.980Approximate; on the Apsley River, 50 km east of Walcha, 4WD and permit access.Approximate; on the Apsley River, 31 mi east of Walcha, 4WD and permit access.Map ↗
- 6Wollomombi Falls · Viewpoint≈-30.530, 152.040Approximate; 40 km east of Armidale on Waterfall Way.Approximate; 25 mi east of Armidale on Waterfall Way.Map ↗
- 7Dangars Gorge and Falls · Viewpoint≈-30.660, 151.750Approximate; 22 km south-east of Armidale via Dangarsleigh Road.Approximate; 14 mi south-east of Armidale via Dangarsleigh Road.Map ↗
- 8Gara Gorge · Trail≈-30.580, 151.800Approximate; 18 km south-east of Armidale off Castledoyle Road.Approximate; 11 mi south-east of Armidale off Castledoyle Road.Map ↗
- 9Youdales Hut · Sleep≈-30.970, 152.150Approximate; about 96 km from Walcha via Kangaroo Flat Road, 4WD and permit access.Approximate; about 60 mi from Walcha via Kangaroo Flat Road, 4WD and permit access.Map ↗
- 10East Kunderang homestead · Sleep≈-30.900, 152.300Approximate; on the Macleay River, 112 km east of Armidale via Wollomombi, 4WD access.Approximate; on the Macleay River, 70 mi east of Armidale via Wollomombi, 4WD access.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (day use, Apsley Falls, Tia Falls, Wollomombi Falls, Dangars Gorge, Gara Gorge) | Free | vehicle | No entry fee for these visitor areas; check current NSW park rules before you go. |
| Camping (Apsley Falls, Tia Falls, Wollomombi Falls, Dangars Gorge, Budds Mare, Long Point, Halls Peak) | AUD 6–25 | night | 2026 estimate; booking fees apply and some sites are book-and-pay online only (check). |
| 4WD permit and gate key (Riverside, Youdales Hut) | AUD 20–60 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; key and permit from Apsley Motors or the NPWS office in Walcha (check). |
| East Kunderang homestead (whole house, minimum two nights) | AUD 200–500 | night | 2026 estimate; sleeps up to ten, 4WD needed, key from the Armidale NPWS office (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day use at the rim lookouts no permit
Camping permit or guide
4WD access to Riverside and Youdales Hut permit or guide
East Kunderang and Halls Peak permit or guide
Park rules
- Stinging trees
- Dendrocnide grows widely in the park; the lime-green heart-shaped leaves carry fine hairs that cause severe pain and can put you in hospital. Do not touch foliage beside tracks.
- 4WD tracks
- Riverside, Youdales Hut, East Kunderang and Halls Peak need a low-range 4WD, a permit and a gate key; trailers are not permitted.
- Horses
- Only allowed along the Bicentennial National Trail, past Youdales Hut and Kunderang Homestead.
- Camping
- Backpack camping is allowed throughout the park; vehicle camping only in designated campgrounds, with fees and bookings at most sites.
- Food and rubbish
- No shops or stalls in the park; bring all food and water and carry out everything you bring in.
Where to stay
In the park
Apsley Falls, Tia Falls and Wollomombi Falls campgrounds
Car-based camping on the gorge rim; Apsley Falls has 15 sites, Tia Falls takes caravans and trailers.
In the park
Dangars Gorge campground
About seven sites with roughly 20 km of walking tracks from the campground.About seven sites with roughly 12 mi of walking tracks from the campground.
In the park
Budds Mare and Riverside camping areas
Rim and river camps reached by 4WD track; Riverside has 13 sites, toilets, tables and barbecues.
In the park
Youdales Hut Rest Area
Six sites beside a 1930s timber-slab hut; permit, key and booking required.
In the park
East Kunderang homestead
Historic homestead on the Macleay River, booked as a whole house for up to ten people, minimum two nights.
Near the park
Walcha and Armidale
Motels, pubs and farm stays 20–50 min from the main lookouts; the practical base if you do not want to camp.
Safety
Exposure and temperature extremes in the gorge country medium
Stinging trees high
No mobile coverage medium
Underestimated walking times medium
Steep 4WD tracks high
Accessibility
- Apsley Falls has a 52 m steel stairway to an observation deck with disabled access, plus about seven viewing platforms and picnic areas on the rim.
- Wollomombi Falls, Tia Falls and Dangars Gorge have rim lookouts close to parking, but the gorge-floor tracks are steep and rough.
- The wilderness 4WD and walking routes are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks on the gorge rim; the dry rainforest and its rare plants are the reason for the World Heritage listing.
- Use the firewood supplied at campgrounds rather than collecting from the bush, and keep fires in the provided fireplaces.
- Book and pay for camping and 4WD permits so fees go back into track and facility maintenance.
- Take out all rubbish; there are no bins or shops in the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Oxley Wild Rivers National Park?
Nothing for day use at the main lookouts. Apsley Falls, Tia Falls, Wollomombi Falls, Dangars Gorge and Gara Gorge have no entry fee, and you just drive in. You pay for camping (roughly A$6–25 per night, 2026 estimate, booking fees apply) and for 4WD permits and gate keys for Riverside and Youdales Hut (roughly A$20–60 per vehicle, 2026 estimate). Check current NSW National Parks fees before you travel.
What are the best hikes in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park?
For most visitors the gorge-rim walks are the best value: the Apsley Falls Gorge Rim Walk and Oxley Walk (1–2 h, easy), the Tia Falls Falls and Gorge Walk (1.5 km return) and Tiara Walk (5 km return), and the Wollomombi Falls rim trails. Harder options are the 8 km descent from Budds Mare to the Riverside area on the Apsley River and the Bluff Rock walk at Riverside (1.5 km, 1 h). The long-distance Bicentennial National Trail crosses the park for multi-day walkers and riders.
When is the best time to visit Oxley Wild Rivers National Park?
April, May, September and October give the most reliable mix of mild days, clear gorge views and steady water in the falls. Winter (June–August) is cold and frosty but often clear. Summer (December–February) is hot with afternoon storms, and the falls look best after rain. Whatever the season, carry warm and wet-weather layers: temperatures drop as you descend into the gorges.
Do I need a 4WD to visit the park?
No for the main sights. Apsley Falls, Tia Falls, Wollomombi Falls, Dangars Gorge and Gara Gorge are all reached on sealed roads in a normal car. You do need a low-range 4WD, plus a permit and a locked-gate key, for Riverside, Youdales Hut, East Kunderang and Halls Peak. Trailers are not permitted on those tracks.
Can I camp in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park?
Yes. Car-based campgrounds include Apsley Falls (15 sites), Tia Falls, Wollomombi Falls, Dangars Gorge (about seven sites), Budds Mare, Long Point and Halls Peak. Riverside has 13 sites and Youdales Hut has six, both with 4WD access and a permit. East Kunderang homestead can be booked as a whole house for up to ten people, minimum two nights. Backpack camping is allowed throughout the park.
Is there mobile phone coverage in the park?
Often not. Many parts of the park and the surrounding roads have no signal, including some country Next G coverage. Tell someone your plans before you set out, carry a first aid kit and plenty of water, and remember the Australian emergency number is 000, or 112 from a mobile.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks — Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
- officialNSW National Parks — park home (N0043)
- officialUNESCO World Heritage Centre — Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
- secondaryWikipedia — Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, revision 4972844 (CC BY-SA 4.0)