Colo Meroo campground
At Colo Meroo campground, you can pitch your tent on grassy flats just 100m from the beautiful Colo river. Pop your billy on the wood barbie and settle in for a magnificent night sky showing.
While the Colo is often described as a ‘wild’ river, this is more to do with it being a haven for an abundance of plants and animals. The tranquil waters and tributaries that flow through here are part of the most extensive sandstone canyon system in eastern Australia. This pristine catchment area, an important place for local Aboriginal custodians, is one of Wollemi National Park's highlights.
The facilities at this campground are basic, but the backdrop of striking sandstone cliffs and ambient river soundtrack make for a priceless experience.
Activities: walking, fishing, picnicking, playing and socialising
Getting there: On entering Wollemi National Park:
- Drive to Mountain Lagoon
- At Mountain Lagoon turn off at Bilpin
- Turn left at Sams Way and left again when you see the National Parks and Wildlife Service sign
- From here either walk, or drive 4km along the fire trail and leave the car in the parking area
- The walk is approximately 8km from the car parking area
Upstream from Upper Colo Road:
- This 2.5km walking track crosses private property so please leave the gates as you find them
- Please ensure you stay on the marked walking route into Colo Meroo
From Bob Turners track:
- Walk downstream along the Colo River (around 11km once you reach the river)
Facilities: wood barbecues (bring your own firewood), non-flush toilets
Water supply: remember to treat or boil all water taken from creeks in the park.
Contact:
Richmond, Phone: 02 4588 2400
Cudgegong picnic area
This pretty spot at Ganguddy is perfect for a quiet relaxing picnic by the water, or as a stop-off on the longer River Gauging Weir Walk. Bring a blanket and soak up the ambience of the Cudgegong River and its wildlife.
Getting there: follow the River Gauging Weir Walk from the Kookaburra Beach access road and veer off to the left at the signpost for the Waterside Walk. Follow the river and you will end up at the picnic area.
Contact:
Mudgee, Phone: 02 6370 9000
Dunns swamp - Ganguddy campground
Wheelchair access: hard
Wheelchairs can access this area with some difficulty
Dunns swamp, or Ganguddy as it is known to local Wiradjuri Aboriginal people, is a beautiful, serene waterway on the Cudgegong river, created when Kandos weir was built in the late 1920s.
Set up camp amid picturesque woodlands of scribbly gum and striking pagoda rock formations and settle in for a truly tranquil getaway. Keen eyes may turn up wallabies, purple swamphens and, at night, greater gliders while if you’re really lucky, you might glimpse shy long-necked turtles and platypus in the weir.
Ganguddy is perfect for a range of low-key recreational activities, from birdwatching and fishing to canoeing and swimming. You’ll also find a network of easy walks offering expansive views over the Cudgegong river and Wollemi National Park.
This idyllic setting is great for a family camping trip, car-based and small-caravan camping and, with wood barbecues on-site; you can hook dinner and cook up a camping feast.
Activities: walking, birdwatching, stillwater canoeing/kayaking, motor boating, swimming, fishing
Getting there: Dunns Swamp - Ganguddy campground is on the west side of Wollemi National Park. To get there:
- From Rylstone turn off at the hospital onto Narrango Road
- Follow the signs to Dunns swamp, about 30km from Rylstone
Road access: Unsealed road/trail - 2WD vehicles.
Facilities: picnic tables, wood barbecues, carpark, non-flush toilets
Water supply: no drinking water is provided. Remember to treat or boil all water taken from the weir and creeks in the park.
Camping fees: $5 per adult per night. $3 per child per night. Camping fee are paid on site by self-registration - please bring correct change.
Bookings: No bookings are taken at this campground. Camping is very popular during school and public holidays, and sites may be scarce. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Please note that campervan and caravan sites are limited to about 15 sites.
Other tent, campervan and caravan camping is available locally at Rylstone Caravan Park, phone 0428 794 284, and Cudgegong Waters Park, phone 6358 8462.
Professional kayak tours and hire is available at Dunns Swamp - Ganguddy throughout the Christmas and summer school holidays, and other peak periods. For all enquiries and bookings please send us an email , phone 0439 936 480 or just turn up on the day.
Contact:
Mudgee, Phone: 02 6370 9000
Honeysuckle Creek picnic area
Honeysuckle Creek provides basic facilities for a stopover under the kurrajong and white box trees, on the Bylong to Sandy Hollow Road.
Getting there: this rest area is 2.5km west of Coxs Gap on Bylong Valley Way.
Facilities: non-flush toilets, picnic tables
Contact:
Mudgee, Phone: 02 6370 9000
Phipps Cutting picnic area and lookout
Enjoy a picnic lunch or a break from your drive in this pretty clearing sheltered by scrubby rock outcrops. In the springtime it's surrounded by flowering wattle, and bell miners and whipbirds call from the bush.
A short (30 minute) walking track explores the old wagon road constructed high above the river to avoid flooding. The road is in its original condition with its hand-placed drystone walls still intact. When you reach the lookout enjoy the spectacular views over the Goulburn River Valley. Visitor information on local national parks and wineries is provided at the picnic area.
Activities: walking, exploring historic heritage, sightseeing
Getting there: this picnic area is 8.5km west of Baerami on the Bylong Valley Way.
Facilities: non-flush toilets, picnic tables
Contact:
Mudgee, Phone: 02 6370 9000
