New England National Park - What to Do and Where to Stay

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%%New England National Park is one of the iconic parks in New South Wales. The action of Ebor Volcano and erosion due to the high rainfall contributed to making and unique environment. The high altitude - 1563 m above sea level is the highest point - supports a variety of unique plants and animals, protecting them from the ever-changing climate.
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When dinosaurs were roaming the land and volcanoes were active spewing lava and changing the landscape, a volcano, called today Ebor Volcano, was active until about 18 million years ago and formed the steep cliffs at the plateau edge of New England National Park.

The unique geological formations, flora and fauna that you see today on the east coast of New South Wales is called Gondwana.

The rainforests once covered the entire continent of Australia. Today Gondwana Rainforests are the remnants of those ancient and primitive rainforests.

There are fifty separate reserves between Newcastle and Brisbane which make up the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. The rainforests are rich in primitive species: ferns, hoop pines and Antarctic beeches.

The land was declared New England National Park on 24 May 1935.
The New England National Park has a few different accommodations and walking trails to make it possible to enjoy the wilderness and explore the Gondwana Rainforest.


Where to Stay.

There are different types of accommodations in the beautiful National Park. Wherever you choose to camp or to stay in a cabin, you are in the national park and all the hikes are just at your doorstep.

The Residence and the Chalet.

The Residence is a modern cottage-style accommodation ideal for families and friends. It is located in Banksia Point, reachable by car.

There are four bedrooms and it can accommodate a maximum of ten people. It has a full kitchen, lounge and dining, bathroom and heater. There are many facilities like picnic tables, barbecue and the building has large windows allowing one to gaze at the forest outside.

The Residence is located in a remote area, you need to bring your own food supplies. Also bring bed linen, blankets, pillows, towels and toiletry items. There is electricity and there is a tank to collect rainwater.

Make your booking online or call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757. The estimated price for 6 people, one night is $373.10.

The Residence is at 1316 Point Lookout Road, Ebor, NSW, 2453 - in New England National Park.


The Chalet is also at Banksia Point, not far from The Residence, it is a cabin with one bedroom and can accommodate three people. It's ideal for small families and couples.
It tends to be booked out quickly so you have to book ahead to make sure to stay in The Chalet.

The estimated price for 3 people staying one night is $213.20

It is required to bring all the bedding, pillows, towels and food supplies.

Book online or call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757.

The Chalet is at 1316 Point Lookout Road, Ebor, NSW, 2453 - in New England National Park.

Both The Residence and The Chalet are located strategically in the park surrounded by the rainforest. Point Lookout views are nearby and also very near to the starting points of amazing hikes in the New England National Park.

Head off to hike Weeping Rock Trail, Eagles Nest Track and Lyrebird Trail. These trails take you along the cliff face where water drips down from the rock and freezes during winter to form icicles.



**Tom's Cabin.
**

Tom's cabin is more of a bushwalker's cabin with no electricity or power points. The cabin has basic cooking facilities, a hot shower and a flush toilet. There is a fireplace and wood is provided.
The cabin is in a remote location, bring all your food supplies, kitchen utensils, pots and cutlery, bed linen, blankets, and towels.

There are two bedrooms and the cabin takes up to eight people.
The estimated price for 6 people staying for one night is $143.50.

Tom's Cabin is right into the national park, near the walking trail Tea Tree Falls. This trail is connected with Lyrebird Track, making Tom's Cabin a perfect accommodation for hiking.

Make your booking online or call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757.

Tom's Cabin is at 1388 Point Lookout Road, Ebor, NSW, 2453 - in New England National Park.



**Thungutti campground.
**

Thungutti campground is an amazing place where to pitch your tent or park your campervan and start your adventures in the park.

There are many facilities to make your stay very enjoyable, including a picnic table, barbecue, toilet and fireplace. There is also a great shed where you can cook on the free barbecues and sit around the tables undercover.

Thungutti is a remote campground, make sure to pack all the food and water necessary for the length of your stay, and take with you all the hiking and camping equipment. There is no mobile phone reception.

Bookings are required. Book online or call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757.

The estimated price for two people staying one night is $12.30.

Tee Tree Falls trail and Robinson Knob starts at Thungutti. Robinson Knob is connected with Lyrebird Track making the camping ground an excellent starting point for hiking.

Thungutti is at Tea Tree Falls Walk, Ebor NSW 2453.



What to Do.

**
Tea Tree Falls Walk.**

The trail is a wonder amongst eucalypt trees, banksia and tea trees. Long moss hang on all the branches making the forest look prehistoric.

After walking through a patch of Antarctic beech trees, you arrive on the road and you can see Tom's Cabin.

Tea Tree Falls is an easy trail, 4 km return, allow one hour and half. The trail starts at Thungutti campground, linking Thungutti, Tom's Cabin and all the other walking trails.


**Lyrebird Walk.
**
You can start Lyrebird trail from different points in the national park: at Thungutti campground, at Tom's Cabin and at Banksia Point. The walk takes you to areas with different vegetation, from eucalypt forest to cool temperate rainforest. You walk along amazing basalt cliffs, passing flowing brooks, little waterfalls and great views.

Listen to the sounds of birds and you may hear the call of the superb lyrebird and other birds of the Gondwana Rainforest.

The trail is 5.1km return, relatively easy, allow about 3 hours. From Lyrebird trail you can walk Weeping Rock Trail and Eagles Nest Track.



Eagles Nest Trail.

Eagles Nest Trail takes you in the ancient Gondwana, amongst mossy Antarctic beech trees, rocky cliffs with precious water trickling down making the area humid and cool.

Marvel a the rare beauty of the place, at the flowers and at the fungi. There are stunning views from Point Lookout.

Eagles Nest is an easy walk, 2.2km loop, allow about one hour. It connects with Lyrebird Trail.

Wrights Lookout.
Wrights Lookout takes you on the summit of a spectacular rocky plateau. The trail is a bit steep, but at the top you stand on ancient rocks from Ebor Volcano with magnificent views all around.

On the plateau trees cannot withstand the force of the wind and the thin poor layer of soil. The plateau is covered with heath with rare vegetation.

The trail is 3.4 Km return, including Robinsons Knob. The track is steep and rocky. Wrights Lookout starts at the end of Robinsons Trail at the intersection with Cascades Trail, Lyrebird and New England wilderness Walk.


Cascades Walk.

Cascades Trail runs along a rainforest stream called Five Days Creek. It descend down the valley, below Wrights Lookout, alongside giant king ferns and mossy boulders.
The trail is 5.7km loop, including Robinsons Knob. It is a bit of a difficult hike due to steep and slippery sections. The trail starts at the end of Robinsons Knob.



New England Wilderness Trail.

New England Wilderness Trail is a challenging hike for experienced bushwalkers. The trail descends over 1,000 m from the New England Tablelands to the headlands of Bellinger River. It involves creek walking and creek crossings, passing through diverse wilderness.

The distance is 33 km one way, best to complete in 2-3 days. The walk is hard because of the length and it requires different hiking skill. The trail finishes on Darkwood Road, ten km away west of the locality of Thora.


Getting there.

New England National Park is located off the Waterfall Way. It can be reached going to Thungutti campground, off Point Lookout Road.

The nearest town is Ebor, 25 minutes away. Armidale town is on the west side, about one hour away. Dorrigo town is on the east about one hour away.

From the Author.

[LINK=https://www.weekendnotes.com/ebor-new-south-wales/]Discovering Ebor and its Stunning Surroundings
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[LINK=https://www.weekendnotes.com/thungutti-campground-new-england-national-park/]Thungutti Campground in New England National Park
[/LINK]
[LINK=https://www.weekendnotes.com/walks-cathedral-rock-national-park/]Cathedral Rock Hiking and Camping
[/LINK]

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