Oxley Wild Rivers National Park

Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (OWRNP) is 445 km (by road) north of Sydney and 20 km east of Walcha. It is one of the largest national parks in NSW, is listed a World Heritage Area by UNESCO and forms part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia. Most of the lookout platforms and visitor facilities are readily accessible on the gorge rim, providing spectacular views into the Apsley and Macleay Gorges.

Oxley Wild Rivers National Park can easily be accessed by a regular vehicle, 20 km east of Walcha at the Apsley Falls, 1 km off the Oxley Highway via a sealed road. Gara Gorge is 18 km south-east of Armidale along the Castledoyle Road turning off Waterfall Way. Other access points are available further east of Armidale and off the Waterfall Way.

A fee is payable and a key must be obtained at Apsley Motors to travel to Riverside and Youdale's Hut where a low range 4WD can be taken for a day trip or camping. Bookings can be made through the NPWS Walcha office or Apsley Motors, Walcha on +61 2 6777 2755 or +61 2 6777 4700.

The same conditions apply to visiting East Kunderang and Halls Peak camping area - contact the Armidale NPWS on +61 2 6738 9100. Other locations provide free camping sites, with the exception of Green Gully campground overlooking the Chandler and Wollomombi Rivers, which is off the Waterfall Way.

The spectacular Apsley Falls, Tia Falls and Wollomombi Falls are easily accessed using a regular vehicle. A 4WD with low range is required if trips are planned into the wilderness areas of Riverside Camping Area and Youdale’s Hut.

Horses may only be ridden along the Bicentennial National Trail which passes by Youdales Hut and Kunderang Homestead.

Apsley Falls – 20 km east of Walcha, 1 km off the Oxley Highway. There is a 52 m steel stairway leading to an observation deck (with disabled access) where there are great views of the deep gorge and the falls. There are two spectacular falls, with two walking tracks taking in the Gorge Rim Walk and the Oxley Walk.

Tia Falls – 38 km east of Walcha, 6 km off the Oxley Highway. The turnoff for this road is 19 km past the Apsley Falls turnoff (travelling from Walcha). There are spectacular falls, with two walking tracks taking in the Falls and Gorge Walk (1.5 km return) and the Tiara Walk (5 km return), picnic facilities.

Budds Mare campground is 44 km east of Walcha via the Moona Plains Road. The route includes 8 km of unpaved roads, it is unsuitable for standard 2WD cars are it was washed out in 2011. The trail beyond Kanagra Vale gate provides public access to Budds Mare and Riverside camping areas. Budds Mare is set in bushland and a short walk takes you to the lookout which has spectacular views over Gondwana dry rainforest in the Apsley River Gorge. Heading to the right from the shelter shed is a track to a vantage point that overlooks Rusden Creek Gorge. There is a good eight kilometre walk from here down the ridge to the Riverside Visitor Area on the Apsley River, but it is only for well prepared bushwalkers with a sound knowledge of steep country. Return up the same track or follow the road from Riverside up to the top. The return routes are a demanding climb, suitable for fit, experienced bushwalkers only, carrying ample provisions. Or, a 4WD vehicle pick-up may be arranged at Riverside.

Wollomombi Falls has a spectacular gorge with two waterfalls which are best seen after a good fall of rain. They are 40 km east of Armidale along the Waterfall Way. See rugged scenery, picnic, stroll along one of the gorge rim trails, or hike to the gorge riverbed. Facilities include drinking water, toilets, shelter shed and fireplace and bush camp sites are available for overnight stays.

Dangars Gorge and Falls are 22 km south-east of Armidale along the Dangersleigh Road and are home to the Dangars Falls (which need rain to flow over the gorge). It is the starting point for several walks. There are good places for picnics, camping and bushwalking.

Riverside Rest Area is on the banks of the Apsley River, 50 km east of Walcha and is reached by the Moona Plains Road. The trail beyond Kanagra Vale gate provides public access to Budds Mare and Riverside camping areas. The trail from Budds Mare Rest Area is a steep gravel track and a 4WD with low range is necessary. Trailers are not permitted. Fees apply, a locked gate key and permit are essential to use this trail with a vehicle. Bluff Rock (or The Terrace) walk - 1.5 km, 1 hour, medium difficulty, is reached by heading north-west from the visitor area, across a gully and up the hill to the management trail which leads to the top of the bluff rock, overlooking the river and across to Paradise Rocks. Activities: swimming, hiking, fishing and photography.

Youdales Hut is a historic pioneering timber slab walled hut that was built in the 1930s on a small pastoral run established in the Kunderang Gorges. This camping ground is approximately 96 km from Walcha and can be accessed via Kangaroo Flat Road, which leaves the Oxley Highway 55 kilometres from Walcha. The trail is narrow and steep and a 4WD with low range is necessary. Trailers are not permitted. Visitor numbers are limited so bookings are essential. A permit and key is necessary to gain entry to this area and they may be obtained from Apsley Motors or the NPWS office, Walcha. The area caters for both picnickers and campers, with wood barbecues (wood provided), toilet and interpretation display at the hut. It's ideal for picnics, swimming and short walks.

Ride or walk the Bicentennial National Trail which passes through the park.

No shops or stalls are located in the OWRNP.

Take your own food.

One may take their own drink, but it is usually safe to drink running water from streams, in moderate amounts, especially if boiled or treated.

• Exposure: Be prepared for extremes of temperature in 'The Falls' (gorge) country and nearby areas.
• Goannas will eat your food unless you have it well covered or hung up in a tree.
• Snakes may be seen, but are unlikely to attack unless provoked.
• Stinging trees (Dendrocnide) are quite common in many areas of the OWRNP and direct contact with these leaves causes a great deal of pain and can lead to hospitalization. This small tree has large heart shaped, lime-green leaves, often with small holes in them and covered with many fine stinging hairs.
• Ticks and leeches may be encountered.

It is advisable to carry a first aid kit as many of the OWRNP locations are very isolated.

Many of the estimates for hiking times given in brochures underestimate the times that various trips will take. Food and other allowances should take this factor into consideration when planning trips.

There are many areas in the park and surrounding areas where mobile (cell) phones (including Next G country models) do not have coverage.

Emergency numbers: Throughout Australia, the number for emergency services (Police, Fire and Ambulance) is 000 (triple zero). When using a mobile or cell phone, the numbers 000 and 112, are free of charge, and connect using any of the available networks.

Emergency numbers such as 911 and 999 do not work within Australia.

There are ten separate visitor areas. Gara Gorge is for day use only. Wollomombi Gorge, Long Point, Dangars Gorge, Budds Mare, Apsley Falls and Tia Falls are suitable for 2WD car-based camping.