If you've ever been to Barrington Tops you know exactly how beautiful it is.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/5xo7vuE0tA4
It doesn't matter if you're in the State Forest or the National Park side. It's all stunning with an exceptional variation in the scenery, It can be swampy clearings surrounded by snow gums, overlooking a gully or dense forest with freshwater springs forming little creeks.
Jack brought his son and I had Nugget (my doggo) join me for an epic mates weekend away, at least until it went from type 1 fun to type 2 fun, but more on that when Hamish joined in the video.
Kicking Off: The Putty Road Drive
You can head up the F3/M1 if you're one for straight highways and major accident delays, or you can take the consistent corners of Putty Road and head through the back of the Hunter Valley. This is the route for us, we both love the scenery and if we actually leave Sydney on time we'll drop by a sneaky wine or two before Turning off just before Scone.
Must-Visit Stops
The infamous Dingo Gate marks the start of Western Barrington Tops, but if you race straight there you've missed two of the area's best watering holes
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Linga Longa inn Hotel is about 20 minutes from the level crossing turn off. Now this is a pub worth of a stop! They're dog-friendly with a cracking paddock to chill in. It was raining when we came through so we sat on the old hardwood tables just outside the bar and ordered a rib eye steak with blue cheese - 10/10 recommend this. The Publican also told us of the area's little secret Aussie Ark - straight onto our to do list for the weekend. Linga Longa's hours and times can be a little
peculiar so be sure to check this prior to arrival.
- Moonan Flat Pub is ~30 minutes further along. A nice pub where you can sit down by the river and enjoy the nectar of the gods. It definitely has a nice old charm about it and is over all really well kept. I later came through with my partner on a public holiday and would never go again when it's so busy, but when it's not, it's lovely.
- Aussie Ark is a Tasmanian Devil breeding sanctuary. Friendly staff and a really unique experience. It's only 20-30 mins out of the way but it's an incredible opportunity to have an experience with one of Australia's coolest endangered species.
Off-Roading Guide for Barrington Tops
Off-roading here is a little pick your own adventure, it can get extreme or you can cruise through the main areas in your average sedan. Here’s what you need for most areas of Barrington Tops:
- Vehicle: A 4x4 vehicle is negotiable. I have a heavily modified Volkswagen Amarok. However most stock 2WD's shouldn't have an issue provided they drop their speed and keep their eyes open. If you're heading off the main road and taking some side tracks you'd want some good quality all terrains and a basic lift.
- Tyres: Good quality tires are crucial. Don't head up with bald tyres if you're sticking to the main road and definitely don't hit anything muddy, or off the beaten path without good all terrains or muds.
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Recovery Gear: It goes without saying, but always carry a spare. If you're off the main tracks a winch or maxtrax and a shovel won't go astray
- Navigation: GPS and offline maps are great as reception can be spotty. I run Gaia GPS for most trips. Gaia is great as even the free version allows you to download sections of map and record your path, this way if you get lost, you can always re-trace your steps without mistakingly taking a less forgiving track.
Moment's You Won't Forget
- The Starting point: The drive through the upper hunter, then up to the dingo gate provide breathtaking views. the pubs have incredible charm and you'll long to return for a beer.
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Aussie Ark: Check their hours, they're limited and can be pricey during the year, however they do have a special that runs during the Christmas holidays. I'm not going to lie, holding a Tassie Devil is a pretty cool thing to knock off your bucket list. Staff here are amazing and their tours do include lunch.
- Entering the forest: As soon as you've dropped your tyre pressures and entered through Barrington Tops' Dingo Gate you'll notice a drop in temperature and just how fresh the air is.
- Roos: Everywhere, day or dusk - keep your eyes open and drive carefully.
- Campsites: While we didn't stay in them the main sites like Polblue are popular and if visited in quiet season will leave you with fond memories or waking up in the snow. The Stars are amazing when there's no moon.
- The Terrain: Barrington Tops is big, and I mean really big. While the main road is flat, if you venture off it you'll see some incredible campsites, clearings, fresh water springs, creeks, lookouts and tons, absolutely tons of wildlife.
- Cock Rock: It's massive and never fails to spark a laugh. Let your immature imagination run wild and snap a pic, but do some research to find it - it's a bit of a hunt and easy to drive past without a sign.
Off-Roading Challenges and Triumphs
As I've said, you can really choose your own adventure here. Most of the main area's you'll be ok in the average sedan, however there's other parts where a 6" lift and 37"s simply won't do. Just remember you're hours away from help, so no matter what you tackle, make sure you're confident you can get out under your own steam.
Tips for Future Adventurers
- If you're reading this, odds are you have a dog. Note that there is a difference between Barrington Tops State conservation Park and Barrington Tops State Forest. NPWS will, and do bait in the National Park, it's also not uncommon for some 1080 to be found in the state forest.
- Prepare for the Unexpected: There's phone reception, but it's patchy. You'll get a text through here and there.
- Respect the Environment: Stick to established trails to minimise impact on the ecosystem.
- Be prepared for the rain and the cold. It can ruin a trip
- Leaches, if it's been raining you can expect leaches. Be wary and spray those ankles with Bushmans.
- I can't stress this enough, but the mud up here can be nasty, it's soft and gross. Keep out of it the best you can.
In Conclusion
Barrington Tops is a solid drive from Sydney, 4+ hours to the Dingo Gate, but in my honest opinion - It's 100% worth it. The crowds are fewer, it's easy to find bush camps, there's plenty of water in summer, occasional snow in winter and there's dog friendly sections. It's a beautiful area and the drive up can be an adventure on it's own.