Catherine Boyd's favourite camping in Barrington Tops: check out some favourite Barrington Tops campsites to consider for your next adventure.
Day trips to Barrington Tops are an absolute treat. However, like most places, to get the full experience of what it has to offer, an overnighter if not longer is the way to go. Ranging from low key car camping with facilities such as barbecues and loos to something more rugged and remote, there is such a great variety in campsites depending on what suits you best.
These are some of my favourite Tops campsites to consider for your next adventure.
If you're heading to Barrington Tops the best approach is via Gloucester on the eastern side, stop for fuel, provisions, a coffee or a meal on your way through.
Polblue Campground
Whether you are in a swag or a caravan this is one of the most accessible campsites in Barrington Tops. You have the luxuries of toilets, fire pits and barbecues while still being surrounded by towering gums and an amazing range of wildlife. From here you can do the beautiful Swamp Loop Walk and it is only a short drive to Thunderbolts Lookout, The Firs and Polblue Falls. This is also the place to be whenever snow is forecast for the region.
Horse Swamp Campground
If you want to camp on the plateau but be away from the crowds of Polblue, this is a great option. By day you can kick back, listen to the wind through the gums and the rushing water of the creek. In the afternoon, as the sun starts to set, get the fire going and star gaze. This site has toilets, picnic tables, a couple of barbecue pits and comes with the added bonus of access to the Polblue Falls trail.
Manning River Campground
Technically this one falls under state forest jurisdiction but is sandwiched between sections of Barrington Tops National Park. A beautiful riverside campsite nestled amongst the gums. Manning River has picnic tables, toilets, and some fire rings to make it nice and cosy of an evening. The numerous sites are mostly grassy, open and flat, and are perfect for solo campers as well as groups. Nearby highlights are Cobark and Devils Hole Lookout and the Honeysuckle Forest Walk which has some amazing Beech trees along its track. Well worth a visit and in state forests your furry best pal (ie. well-behaved dog) is welcome.
Wombat Creek Campground
Basic and beautiful! One of several multi day campsites you can find in the Tops. Whether its staying overnight after walking the Corker Trail or as a stopover when hiking the Link trail, this is a place of peace and solitude. You will most likely find that your only company is that of the abundant Lyrebirds that populate this area. Due to it only being accessible by walking in, you’ll have to pitch a tent at this site.
Gloucester River Campground
A similar campsite to Polblue in terms of access and facilities but the surroundings are very different. The beauty of this site is being right next to Gloucester River, its abundance of birdlife fluttering about and Sharpes Creek Trail also leaves from here. Once you have set up your digs for the night, it is only a short drive to get up to Gloucester Tops and from there you have access to some of the most amazing walks in the park.
White Rock Campground
The ideal spot for adventurers who want access to a campsite the night before (or after) scaling the Corker. The same goes for being near the Rocky Crossing walk, at most a ten-minute drive away. White Rock is a nice open campsite near the banks of the Allyn River, perfect for summer camping with its crystal clear swimming holes. It also has access to the Rainforest walk which features some amazing strangler figs.
Wherever you decide to visit and camp in Barrington Tops, I can guarantee you three things. Firstly, you will leave feeling a lot more relaxed than what you arrived. Secondly, you will be blown away by the beauty and diversity of the flora and fauna in this park. And lastly, you will be planning your next trip to the Tops before you even get home from this one!
