The best summer walks in cool forests near Gloucester

Feeling the heat of summer? Then head for the hills behind Gloucester, they’re high and cool and offer some of the best walks in the Barrington Coast hinterland.

First up, head for Copeland Tops State Conservation Area about 15 minutes from Gloucester:

Mountain Maid Guided Tour, Copeland Tops

Let's start with the best walking experience available in Copeland Tops.

The Mountain Maid guided tour must be booked in advance and is good value for money. You'll be guided through the Mountain Maid heritage gold mining precinct hidden in the rainforest near the village of Copeland. Peek inside the mine shaft, visit machining sheds, touch colonial relics and even pan for gold!

This walk takes you through rainforest gullies along Copeland Creek on gravel tracks, boardwalks and bridges that are only accessible on this tour. Please note there are many steps to navigate on this tour, on surfaces that are uneven and often wet.

• Where: Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
• Distance: 4km loop
• Time: Approx 2 hours
• Grade: Grade 3 (no wheelchair access); minimum child age 5 years.

Bookings essential on the NPWS website.

Hidden Treasure Track, Copeland Tops

If you prefer a self-guided walk (that's free), Hidden Treasure track is a walking route through dry rainforest at Copeland Tops State Conservation Area that takes in remnants of the area’s gold mining heritage, including a historic boiler and disused mine entrance.

• Where: Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
• Distance: 4.5km loop
• Time: Approx 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours
• Grade: Grade 3

Hidden Treasure Track is an easy walk following Copeland Creek beneath a canopy of grey myrtle, shatterwood, yellow tulip and other dry rainforest species.

This hike also takes you past remnants of the area’s mining history. Look out for adits, which are tunnelled entrances to underground mines. See the boiler from Criterion stamper battery, which used to provide the power to crush ore from the nearby mines.

Hidden Treasure gold reef was discovered in 1877. Despite the name, the treasure did not really stay hidden for long, and this mine became the area’s second most productive, yielding 269kg of gold after its construction. Now that all those miners have left, microbats have moved in and travel back and forth from the cave through the open mesh grill at the mine entrance, generally scavenging for insects.

Basin Loop Track, Copeland Tops

Another self-guided walk in Copeland Tops for those who really like to stretch their legs, Basin Loop Track is the longest walking trail in Copeland Tops. This continuation of Hidden Treasure Track follows, for the northern part of its loop, historic Old Copeland Road.

• Where: Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
• Distance: 7km loop
• Time: Approx 3.5 hours to 4.5 hours
• Grade: Grade 3

The track leads you through dry rainforest to open forest that lines the ridge tops of this area. See how the vegetation changes along the way from red cedars, giant stinging trees and strangler figs in the moister, more protected sections of rainforest, to Sydney blue gums and Craven grey box in the schlerophyll forest on the more exposed and drier ridges.

Escape the summer heat and head even higher to the northern precinct of Barrington Tops:

Honeysuckle Forest Track, Barrington Tops

In the northern precinct of the Barrington Tops parklands you’ll find this short and easy walk. Honeysuckle Forest Track is a very beautiful amble through ancient Antarctic beech rainforest, your perfect introduction to Barrington Tops National Park.

• Where: Barrington Tops National Park
• Distance: 1km loop
• Time: 15-45 minutes
• Grade: Grade 4

Passing through magnificent Antarctic beech forest with thickets of soft tree ferns, have a look for the beech orchid that grows in its upper branches. The moss covered trunks are a spectacular sight in the misty rain. Rainforest gives way to open forests of brown barrel with an understory of tall mountain banksia, also known as honeysuckle.

The crisp mountain air might stimulate your appetite, so unpack a picnic hamper and enjoy a relaxing lunch. If you’re hungry for scenic views, try nearby Thunderbolts Lookout and Devils Hole Lookout walk and picnic area.

An alternative to the northern precinct of Barrington Tops is in the eastern precinct called Gloucester Tops, with equally high and cool forests to (almost) lose yourself in:

Gloucester River Track, Gloucester Tops

Gloucester River Track has it all: scenic views, walking, swimming, picnicking, wildlife and birdwatching… all at the Gloucester Tops precinct of Barrington Tops.

• Where: Barrington Tops National Park
• Distance: 2.5 km loop
• Time: 1hr to 1.5 hrs
• Grade: Grade 4

Starting at the NPWS Gloucester River Campground, this walking track takes in the scenic river and nearby gullies, with great views, and plenty of chances for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.

Crossing the river, look for the shy platypus and long-necked tortoise before climbing uphill through paperbarks and towering Sydney blue gums. Round off your walk with a swim and a riverside picnic and, if you’re hooked, make a weekend of it by camping overnight at the NPWS Gloucester River Campground.

Antarctic Beech Forest Track, Gloucester Tops

In Gloucester Tops discover the ancient forests of Gondwanaland with towering Antarctic beech trees, tree fern groves and moss-covered cascades.

• Where: Barrington Tops National Park
• Distance: 2.5 km loop
• Time: 1hr to 1.5 hrs
• Grade: Grade 3

Step through a portal into the other-worldly charms of Antarctic beech forest walking track at Gloucester Tops within Barrington Tops National Park. You’ll wander the lush landscape of the prehistoric Gondwana era on this medium walk, offering some spectacular birdwatching and scenic views.

Forming part of Gloucester Tops circuit, this medium track leads through airy sub-alpine woodlands of snow gums, before entering the shaded world of cool, temperate rainforest. The dense canopy of Antarctic beech is high above, vibrant moss carpets the ground, and tree ferns crowd the track leading to some delightful, mossy cascades.