Holiday houses in Barrington Tops

Barrington Tops is located in the Hunter Valley, just over 300 kilometres North of Sydney. Part of the Mount Royal Range, a spur of the Great Dividing Range, the area boasts world heritage rock formations, deep valleys, natural waterfalls, and unique flora and fauna. Barrington Tops National Park is also part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area — one of the largest temperate rainforests in Australia. The areas cover more than 80,000 hectares of natural wilderness and are home to an abundance of local birds and wildlife.

Barrington Tops played an important part in Australia’s Gold Rush in the 1870s. Today you can discover fascinating tales of the period on a tour of the Mountain Maid mine. The mountainous terrain also famously provided a haven for outlaws at the time, who decided to make their fortune from selling stolen gold. The region is dotted by charming country towns, the most prominent being Scone, Dungog, and Gloucester, all with good accommodation options and popular restaurants, making them good places to base yourself for your visit to the region.

The experiences at Barrington Tops change with the seasons. A visit during the spring and autumn months will offer up pleasantly sunny days and cooler nights, providing good conditions to enjoy bushwalks and the outdoor activities on offer. Barrington Tops is one of Australia’s highest points, so a winter visit can offer spectacular snowy views, best experienced at the Thunderbolts Lookout or Devils Hole Lookout. In July, the popular Chill Out Festival takes place in Gloucester's main street, with market stalls, street entertainment, carnival rides, and local gourmet food and wine. Summer is also a great time to visit, although it can get quite hot so remember to pack the sunscreen and a hat. Whatever season you decide to visit, you will find an excellent variety of accommodations in Barrington Tops.

Barrington Tops National Park

Enjoy one of the many bush walk trails in the Barrington Tops National Park — part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, where volcanic flows shaped the incredible wilderness millions of years ago. You could try the Gloucester Tops circuit — an 8-kilometre loop through ancient rainforest starting from the town of Gloucester. For a shorter adventure, there’s the Antarctic Beech Forest walk — a 2.5-kilometre loop with rainforest, cascades, and birdwatching.

Thunderbolt's Lookout

Head up to Thunderbolt’s Lookout on the Barrington Tops Forest Road — an easy 400 metres flat walk to a lookout point that offers a breathtaking panoramic view across the “tops.” The scenery on the way to the top is just as magical, as you pass through Antarctic beech trees and the spectacular deep valley leading to the Moppy River below. Look up to spot wedge-tailed eagles that circle in the skies above.

Ladies Well

Ladies Well is located on the Allyn River, on the eastern side of Chichester State Forest in the foothills of the Barrington Tops. It is a popular swimming hole — especially in the warmer months — featuring cascades and sun-warmed rocks perfect to sunbathe on. Enjoy an invigorating swim in the cool waters, surrounded by granite boulders and lush forest.