Coolah Tops National Park is aprox 5 hours from Sydney and is a popular closeish destination if you want to explore, camp, relax, do some easy 4WDing, bushwalking, mountain biking, photography and even some Geocaching as well. Though, because of the distance from Sydney, probably better suited to a long weekend like we made it in Jan 2018 when we visited.

About Coolah Tops National Park

Coolah Tops National Park is quite a new park, having only been created in 1996, it covers quite a large area of rugged mountains, with many creeks and waterfalls to be found within the park, though, when we visited, no water was flowing in any creek we crossed so no waterfalls were, well, falling... There are a number of campsites spread throughout the park and a rustic cabin as well. Access is pretty easy, and a reasonable 2WD can make the trek from the nearby town of Coolah, which has the closest services. You do have to be self sufficient to camp out here, most campsites do have long drop toilets.

The headwaters of two rivers can be found in this park, the Talbragar river and the Coolaburragundy river, though, when we visited, no water to be found.

There is no cost to enter Coolah Tops National Park, and no cost to camp at any of the 3 main campgrounds. Brackens hut can be booked and the cost to stay is displayed on the National Parks website when you book, a min 2 night stay is required. Keep in mind also, Brackens Hut is a popular destination for visitors to the park, so, don't expect too much peace and quiet if staying there.

Even though the toilets within the park usually have loo paper, it is always a good idea to bring a spare roll just in case, always nice to leave it behind for others as well.

Places to Stay

Brackens Hut - A rustic original cabin that has 2 bedrooms and sleeps a maximum of 5. There is a long drop toilet here and this hut is hidden away in an open area that is quite pretty. There are other older cabins nearby, but a direct walk from Brackens to those involved dodging a lot of spikey thistles, we gave up and found another way to get to those cabins with hardly any thistles. If you are staying in the cabin, other people with you can camp outside the hut for free, I just don't think they like you camping here by default, they would prefer you to stay at one of the 3 designated campground Below.

Coxs Creek Campground - Nestled among tall eucalypts and mountain grasses, this campground is the first you come to after entering the park, suitable to tents and caravans etc, some sites are a short walk away from your car. Has picnic tables, BBQ facilities and long drop loos and some shade. A nice spot to camp or stay and use to explore the surrounding national park. No bookings required as it is free and on a first come - first served basis.

The Barracks Campground - This campsite is where we have stayed, it is far enough away from the main road through the park so you get no road noise, is suitable for tents and caravans and you can camp right next to your car if you pick the right spot. Running beside this campground is Coxs creek, the same that passes by the Coxs Creek Campground. There are the usual long drop toilets, BBQ's and picnic tables, so be sure you are self sufficient when camping in this park. If you continue on the road past this campsite you can visit a couple of the lookouts in the park, plus, at the eastern end of the campground is the grass tree walking trail, this winds its way through ancient 4mtr high grass trees which is a nice short walk.

The Pines Campground - When we visited, this was a very busy campground, set among massive old pine trees and a short detour on the road out to Brackens Hut, it has the usual facilities found at all the campgrounds in the park with BBQ facilities and long drop toilets. This campsite is more suitable to bigger groups with caravans, camper trailers, motor homes etc. The shade here can be quite good due to the pine trees.

Things to Do & See in the park

There are plenty of things to see and do in Coolah Tops National Park, all depends on what you like to do I guess. There are plenty of places to visit and get a nice view, when flowing, there are waterfalls to view, the old cabins dotted throughout the park are interesting to visit and most of those can be visited without the need for a 4WD. Here and there while we were driving through the park we saw deer and a multitude of birdlife, kangaroos, wombats, wallabies etc. So take it easy while driving through the park so you don't have an accident.

At some of the cabins in the park are from the old logging days, the rest from farming endevours, all have their own history and charm. The nearby old cabin to Brackens hut is quite a cool spot to wander around with the old yards and plenty of "farm junk" hidden away up in the trees. Each of the cabins has signage to tell you more about the history of that hut.

Not far from the Barracks Campground, is the remains of an old sawmill, there is a bit of old stuff lying around if you go for a walk and hunt it out. There are foundations and of course, the old steam engine that drove the plant. Well worth the short detour and wander.

There are a number of walking tracks that are worth the effort, some harder than others with some pretty unique geological features to be found if you look. The Pinnacle walking track is an easy undulating walk and will get you to one of the better vantage points in the park, particularly at sunset. Some of the waterfalls, when they are actually running have short to medium length walking tracks to get to better vantage points.

The Snow Gums Walking Track, located at the eastern end of the park is another great and easy walking track that winds its way through majestic snow gums and other bushland, short and not demanding at all. Another great spot to visit in the eastern parts of the park is Shepherds Peak, a a short walking track after you park will get you to a vantage point.

There are two main waterfalls within the park, both of which have well setup picnic areas nearby, Norfolk Falls and Bald Hill falls. Both were dry when we visited, but that did not stop us from going to have a look.

A couple of days is more than enough to experience what the park has to offer, plenty of opportunity to follow evert track and road, just to see where they go and what might be at the end. A good map will help you navugate the tracks so you don't get into trouble or lost.

The marker on the map below is for the Barracks Campground. There is also plenty to look at in Coolah itself either before you head in or as you are leaving.

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