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National park · Australia

Barrington Tops National Park

Go for a full day from Gloucester or Dungog: park entry is free (2026 estimate), you pay only for camping; drive the gravel roads in a 4WD or AWD, walk the Antarctic Beech track at Gloucester Tops, and skip the park in winter unless you want snow and closed trails.

Not field-verifiedUNESCO World Heritage 1986Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
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From where I am

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Area

740 km²

approximate

Established

1969

Best months

Mar–May, Oct–Nov

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
740 km²
About 740 km² including the adjoining State Conservation Area; boundaries have been revised several times (check).
Established
1969
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Permits
For some areas

Barrington Tops is the southernmost section of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, a high plateau of Antarctic beech, snow gum and swamp in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Most of it is declared wilderness. The three sections — Gloucester Tops in the east, the central plateau around Polblue and Devils Hole in the north, and the Williams River and Lagoon Pinch precinct in the south — are not connected by road, so you pick one per day and drive around the outside to reach another. Entry is free; camping carries a booking fee. Gravel access roads and cold, changeable weather at 1,400 m are the two things that shape a visit.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • UNESCO World Heritage · 1986Part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area (listed 1986, extended 1994).

Size and age

740 km² · national park since 1969

About 740 km² including the adjoining State Conservation Area; boundaries have been revised several times (check).

Why go

  • Antarctic beech forest at Gloucester Tops — moss, tree ferns and a canopy that looks nothing like the eucalypt country around it.
  • Careys Peak, the park's high point at 1,544 m, reached on foot from the Williams River side.
  • Polblue Swamp and the plateau grasslands, with wombats, swamp wallabies and superb lyrebirds around the campgrounds.
  • Free entry: the cost of the day is fuel and your own food, not a gate ticket.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanGo
  2. FebGo
  3. MarBest
  4. AprBest
  5. MayBest
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulCaution
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepGo
  10. OctBest
  11. NovBest
  12. DecGo
  • JanWarm days, cool nights; afternoon storms
  • FebWettest month on the plateau; leeches on lower tracks
  • MarCooler, drier; good walking
  • AprClear, crisp; autumn colour in the beech forest
  • MayDry and cold at night; quiet
  • JunFrost and possible snow; some tracks and campgrounds close
  • JulColdest; snow on the plateau, ice on roads
  • AugSnow possible; check road closures before leaving
  • SepWildflowers start; still cold at 1,400 m
  • OctGround orchids on Polblue Swamp; mild days
  • NovWarm, green, waterfalls running
  • DecWarm; holiday crowds at the easy-access sites

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Barrington Tops National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Superb lyrebirdMar–Aug · Most vocal in the cooler months; often heard before seen.nonoyesyesyesyesyesyesnononono
Common wombatAll year · Grassy areas around Polblue and the campgrounds at dusk.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Swamp wallabyAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Tasmanian devil (reintroduction enclosures)All year · Held in fenced enclosures above about 1,350 m as part of a breeding program; not free-roaming and not a visitor attraction you can walk into (check).yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Eastern water dragonNov–Feb · Basking on rocks along the streams in summer.yesyesnonononononononoyesyes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Gloucester (eastern and northern sections)

Bucketts Way then Gloucester Tops Road for the Gloucester River and Gloucester Tops precincts, or Thunderbolts Way and Barrington Tops Forest Road for Cobark, Polblue and Devils Hole.

45 min–1 h 15 min

From Dungog (southern section)

Chichester Dam Road, then Salisbury Road to Lagoon Pinch and the Williams River precinct.

1–1.5 h

From Scone (northern plateau)

Barrington Tops Forest Road, then Barrington Trail for the central plateau.

1.5–2 h

From Sydney

Drive via the Hunter Expressway and New England Highway to Gloucester or Dungog, then the access roads above.

3.5–4.5 h

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Barrington Tops National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Gloucester TopsThe rainforest section: Antarctic beech, tree ferns, Gloucester Falls and the Gloucester River.Gravel road from Gloucester; 2WD possible in dry weather, rough after rain.
Central plateau (Polblue, Devils Hole)Open snow-grass plateau, swamps, lookouts and most of the campgrounds.Barrington Tops Forest Road; the Barrington Trail beyond is gated in winter.
Williams River and Lagoon PinchSouthern forest, the Williams River picnic area and the walk up to Careys Peak.Salisbury Road from Dungog; long gravel sections.
WildernessMost of the park is declared wilderness, unchanged by modern activity.On foot only; no formed tracks in places.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 7 approximate points in Barrington Tops National Park, north up1234567
Approximate positions for orientation; the park's sections are far apart and not connected by road.
  1. 1Gloucester · Town≈-32.008, 151.960Map ↗
  2. 2Dungog · Town≈-32.402, 151.752Map ↗
  3. 3Gloucester Tops picnic area · Gate≈-32.065, 151.635Map ↗
  4. 4Polblue campground · Sleep≈-31.925, 151.455Map ↗
  5. 5Devils Hole lookout · Viewpoint≈-31.918, 151.484Map ↗
  6. 6Careys Peak · Summit≈-32.053, 151.455Map ↗
  7. 7Williams River picnic area · Headquarters≈-32.150, 151.500Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsEasy20 min or 1.5 hAntarctic Beech Forest walking trackShort loop or longer walk through moss-covered beech at Gloucester Tops; the most distinctive forest in the park.
ViewpointsHard3–4 h returnCareys PeakThe park's highest point at 1,544 m, climbed from the Williams River side; steep and exposed in bad weather.
TrailsEasy1–1.5 hPolblue Swamp walking trackBoardwalk and track around the swamp; wildflowers in spring, wombats at dusk.
ViewpointsEasy15 minDevils Hole lookoutA 300 m walk from the road to a view over a snow-grass plateau; parking on the southbound side of Barrington Tops Forest Road.
ViewpointsEasy30 minThunderbolts LookoutShort walk from Barrington Tops Forest Road to a view over Antarctic beech forest — an easier alternative to the Gloucester Tops beech walk.
TrailsModerate1–1.5 h returnGloucester FallsFalls and a lookout in the Gloucester Tops section; the track is rough and slippery when wet.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check
Fees for Barrington Tops National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entryFreevehicleNo entry fee for NSW national parks; you pay only for camping and any tours (2026 estimate).
Camping at a park campgroundAUD 6–12nightBooking fee per night; some campgrounds are free but still need a booking (check current rates).
Vehicle accessFreevehicleNo toll or gate on the access roads.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry no permit

No ticket or permit needed for day visits.

Camping booking permit or guide

Book online through the NSW National Parks site before you go; some campgrounds are bookable only and fill in school holidays.

Firewood and campfires no permit

Fires only in provided fireplaces where signs allow; bring your own firewood, collecting wood in the park is not allowed.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Fires
Only in provided fireplaces where signs allow; total fire bans apply in summer and are enforced.
Firewood
Bring your own; collecting wood inside the park is not allowed.
Dogs and pets
Not allowed anywhere in the park, including in vehicles on park roads.
Drones
Not allowed without a permit from NSW National Parks (check).check
Wilderness areas
No vehicles, no formed tracks in places; go prepared and tell someone your plan.
Winter road closures
The Barrington Trail and some campground access roads close seasonally; check before driving in.

Where to stay

In the park

Polblue campground

The main plateau campground, with picnic and barbecue facilities; cold at night year-round.

In the park

Devils Hole campground

Five unmarked sites above 1,400 m opposite the lookout; toilets and barbecues.

In the park

Gloucester River campground

Riverside sites in the Gloucester Tops section, with picnic and barbecue facilities.

Near the park

Gloucester and Dungog motels

The nearest beds and shops, 45 min–1.5 h from the park gates.

Safety

Cold and sudden weather change high

The plateau sits near 1,400 m and has recorded about −17 °C; carry insulation, rain gear and a torch even on a day walk.

Gravel roads and wildlife medium

Drive slowly, especially at dawn and dusk; many access roads are rough and better suited to a 4WD or AWD.

No mobile reception high

Download the Emergency+ app and tell someone your route; you may need to drive out to reach signal before calling 000.

Getting between sections medium

The three sections are not linked by road — driving between the central plateau and Gloucester Tops can take 3–4 hours. Do not follow mapping apps onto fire trails.

Snow and ice in winter medium

From June to September check road closures and carry chains if snow is forecast.

Accessibility

  • Devils Hole lookout has a short 300 m walk from parking and is the easiest viewpoint in the park.
  • Picnic areas at Polblue, Gloucester River and Williams River have vehicle access and facilities.
  • Most walking tracks are rough, steep or muddy and are not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

  • Stay on formed tracks; the beech forest and swamp edges are easily damaged.
  • Carry out all rubbish — there are no bins in the park.
  • Use the provided fireplaces and bring firewood from outside the park.
  • Keep your distance from wombats and lyrebirds; do not feed wildlife.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Barrington Tops National Park?

Nothing. There is no entry fee for NSW national parks, so a day visit costs only your fuel and food. Camping is the paid part: expect a booking fee of roughly A$6–12 per night (2026 estimate), and book online before you go.

What are the best hikes in Barrington Tops National Park?

The Antarctic Beech Forest walking track at Gloucester Tops (20 minutes or 1.5 hours) is the most distinctive. Polblue Swamp walking track (1–1.5 hours) is the easiest plateau walk, Devils Hole and Thunderbolts lookouts are 15–30 minute walks, and Careys Peak (3–4 hours return, 1,544 m) is the serious one.

When is the best time to visit Barrington Tops National Park?

March to May and October to November: cool, drier walking weather, autumn colour and spring wildflowers. Winter brings frost, snow and seasonal road closures; summer is warm but wet, with leeches on lower tracks and total fire bans.

Do I need a 4WD?

Not always, but it helps. The main access roads are gravel and can be rough after rain; a 2WD is usually fine to the Gloucester Tops and Polblue areas in dry weather, while the Barrington Trail and remote campground roads suit a 4WD or AWD.

Can I drive between the sections of the park?

No. The Gloucester Tops, central plateau and Williams River sections are not connected by road, and fire trails are closed to public vehicles. Driving around the outside between the central plateau and Gloucester Tops can take 3–4 hours.

Is there anywhere to eat in the park?

No. There are no shops in any section. Bring your own food and water; the nearest eateries are in Gloucester or Dungog, up to an hour or two away. Picnic and barbecue facilities exist at Polblue, Gloucester River, Honeysuckle, Jerusalem Creek, Lagoon Pinch and Williams River.

Can I see a Tasmanian devil?

Only if you are visiting the fenced reintroduction enclosures above about 1,350 m, which are not a standard visitor attraction. Devils are not free-roaming in the park, so do not plan a trip around seeing one in the wild (check).

Related

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Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources