National park · Australia
Abercrombie River National Park
Go for a quiet river-and-gorge day: drive in on the Felled Timber or Long Nose trail, walk the Bummaroo Ford river track and swim at the Beach; skip it after heavy rain (unsealed roads and creek crossings) and skip it entirely if you want facilities or a ranger on site.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
190 km²73 sq mi
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
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
- 190 km²73 sq mi
- Roughly 190 km² of gorge country between the Abercrombie and Retreat rivers; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Abercrombie River National Park protects a stretch of gorge country on the Central West tablelands of New South Wales, between the Abercrombie and Retreat rivers, about 190 km² of open woodland, sandy river bends and rock pools. It was reserved in 1995 and is managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. There is no gate, no entry fee and no ranger on site: you drive in on unsealed fire trails from Oberon or Crookwell and camp beside your car at one of three small campgrounds. The park is quiet, free and rough-edged — the trade-off is dirt roads, no phone signal and no marked walking tracks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
190 km²73 sq mi · national park since 1995
Roughly 190 km² of gorge country between the Abercrombie and Retreat rivers; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- A gorge cut by the Abercrombie River, with sandy beaches and rock pools you can swim in.
- Free entry and no permit: the cost is fuel and a rough unsealed road.
- Three small campgrounds (Bummaroo Ford, Silent Creek, The Beach) where you can camp beside your car.
- Space: on a midweek day you may see no one else on the river track.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot; swim early, watch for snakes and fire danger
- FebHot; storms can close dirt roads
- MarWarm days, cool nights, water still swimmable
- AprClear, mild; best walking and camping
- MayCold nights; frost in the valleys
- JunCold; quiet; short days
- JulColdest month; camping is for the prepared
- AugCold, often clear; first wildflowers
- SepMild, dry, wildflowers; good camping
- OctWarm and green; best all-round month
- NovWarm; afternoon storms build
- DecHot and busy at the campgrounds over the holidays
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern grey kangaroos and wallabiesAll year · Most visible at dawn and dusk on the plateau and campground edges. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spring wildflowers on the plateauAug–Oct · The best reason to come outside summer. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Parrots, honeyeaters and waterbirds along the riverMar–May, Sep–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Snakes and ticksOct–Mar · Warm months; wear boots and long trousers off the sand. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Oberon
Sealed road to Porters Retreat, then unsealed Felled Timber Trail into the park; 2WD is possible in dry weather only.
1–1.5 h
From Crookwell
Road north to Arkstone, then the Long Nose Trail; the last stretch is unsealed and rough after rain.
1–1.5 h
From Canberra
Drive north via Goulburn and Crookwell, then the unsealed approach; no bus or taxi service reaches the park.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
From Sydney
Drive west via the Blue Mountains and Bathurst, then south from Oberon; a long day trip, better as an overnight.
3.5–4.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Abercrombie River gorge | The main river, sandy beaches, rock pools and the swimming spots. | Open; walk in from the campgrounds or the river track. |
| Bummaroo Ford | The largest campground, on the Abercrombie Road side, with river access. | Open with a booked site; caravans and trailers possible. |
| Silent Creek and The Beach | Smaller sites further in, one beside a stretch of sand on the river. | Open with a booked site; 4WD or careful 2WD in dry weather. |
| Northern plateau and fire trails | Open woodland, wildflower country and the Long Nose and Felled Timber trails. | Open; fire trails are for walking and management vehicles. |
Sketch map
- 1Bummaroo Ford campground · Sleep≈-34.193, 149.744Map ↗
- 2Silent Creek campground · Sleep≈-34.157, 149.678Map ↗
- 3The Beach campground · Beach≈-34.140, 149.690Approximate; on the Abercrombie River inside the park.Map ↗
- 4Abercrombie River gorge · Viewpoint≈-34.120, 149.710Approximate centre of the gorge country.Map ↗
- 5Porters Retreat (Felled Timber Trail turn-off) · Gate≈-34.030, 149.750Approximate; the usual western approach from Oberon.Map ↗
- 6Arkstone (Long Nose Trail turn-off) · Gate≈-34.200, 149.530Approximate; the northern approach from Crookwell.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 | Free | vehicle | No entry fee for this park (check). |
| Camping at Bummaroo Ford, Silent Creek or The Beach | Free | night | Camping in this park is free, but you must book a site online before you arrive (check). |
| NSW parks annual pass (all parks pass) | AUD 65–190 | year | 2026 estimate; only worth it if you also visit parks that charge, such as some coastal parks. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping booking permit or guide
Firewood and campfires no permit
Park rules
- Campfires
- Allowed only in provided fire rings and never during a total fire ban; bring your own firewood.check
- Camping
- Only at the three campgrounds, and only with a booking; no camping on the riverbank or along fire trails.
- Dogs and pets
- Not allowed in the park; leave them at home or in Oberon.
- Firearms, fossicking and wood collecting
- All prohibited; the park is a reserve, not a state forest.
- Drones
- Not allowed without written permission from NSW National Parks (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Bummaroo Ford campground
About 15 sites on the Abercrombie Road side; the easiest for caravans and trailers.
In the park
Silent Creek campground
About 8 sites beside the creek; camp next to your vehicle.
In the park
The Beach campground
About 5 sites on sand beside the river; the smallest and quietest.
Near the park
Oberon and Crookwell motels
The nearest beds with power and hot water, 1–1.5 h from the park gate.
Safety
Unsealed roads after rain high
River current and cold water medium
Heat and fire danger medium
No phone signal and no ranger on site medium
Snakes low
Accessibility
- The campgrounds are reached by unsealed roads and have no paved paths; wheelchair access is very limited.
- There are no sealed walking tracks in the park; the river walk from Bummaroo Ford is the flattest option in dry weather.
Visiting lightly
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins beyond the campgrounds.
- Use a fuel stove rather than a fire when conditions are dry.
- Stay on fire trails and riverbanks to limit erosion on the gorge slopes.
- Do not collect firewood or plants; the woodland is slow to recover.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Abercrombie River National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee and no gate; you drive in on the Felled Timber or Long Nose trail. Camping at Bummaroo Ford, Silent Creek and The Beach is also free, but you must book a site online before you arrive (check). Your real costs are fuel and, if you want one, an NSW parks annual pass for parks that do charge.
What are the best hikes in Abercrombie River National Park?
There are no long marked walks. The most useful are the river walk from Bummaroo Ford to the rock pools (1–2 h, easy), the rough climb from Silent Creek to the gorge rim (2–3 h, moderate) and a section of the Long Nose Trail on foot. Take a map: routes follow fire trails and riverbanks, not signposted tracks.
When is the best time to visit Abercrombie River National Park?
March–April and September–October. Days are mild, the roads dry out, spring brings wildflowers and the river is still swimmable in autumn. December–February is hot with total fire ban days and holiday crowds at the campgrounds; June–August is cold, with frost in the valleys and short daylight.
Can I get there without a car?
No. There is no bus, train or taxi service to the park. The nearest practical bases are Oberon and Crookwell, where you can rent a vehicle; from there it is 1–1.5 hours, with the last part on unsealed road.
Do I need to book camping?
Yes. All three campgrounds are small (about 5–15 sites) and you book online through the NSW National Parks system before you go. There is no fee at the gate and no ranger to take a walk-in booking (check).
Is Abercrombie River National Park worth visiting?
Yes if you want a free, quiet gorge with swimming and car camping and you are comfortable on dirt roads. No if you want marked trails, facilities, phone signal or a short drive from Sydney — in that case use a Blue Mountains park instead.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go