How to get to Barrington Tops by car, train, coach or plane.
By car
The parklands of Barrington Tops cover 125,000 hectares yet there are only a few vehicle entry points and some are tricky or dangerous during heavy rainfall or snowfall events.
Barrington Tops has several distinct precincts that are accessed via different roads however there is only one road that fully traverses the plateau: Barrington Tops Forest Road.
Northern precinct (Polblue, Honeysuckle, Thunderbolts Lookout, Devils Hole, The Firs etc)
See more Scenic Drivedetails here.
1. Scone Road
Eastern access to the northern precinct of Barrington Tops (ie. from the Gloucester side) is via Scone Road and Barrington Tops Forest Road. Scone Road starts at Thunderbolts Way just across the Barrington River. It continues through historic Copeland village and over Copeland Tops into the Cobark River valley before starting its journey up the Barrington Tops plateau.
Scone Road becomes Barrington Tops Forest Road at the base of the plateau at the Dilgry River. Although this road is winding and narrow, it is bitumen sealed up the mountain to the beginning to the parklands where is gravel for the rest of the trip. It is suitable for 2WD vehicles, caravans and motorhomes but take extreme caution during heavy rainfall or snowfall events as this road may be closed by police to all those vehicle types.
2. Barrington Tops Forest Road
Western access to the northern precinct of Barrington Tops (ie. from the Scone side) is via Hunter Road and Barrington Tops Forest Road. The road is bitumen until past Moonan Flat then it becomes a winding gravel road to the top of the plateau. This road is not recommended for caravans or large motorhomes. It is suitable for 2WD vehicles but may be closed by police during heavy rainfall or snowfall events.
3. Bucketts Way
Access to Scone Road is via Gloucester, located at the halfway point along the Bucketts Way, a scenic detour off the Pacific Highway. Southern access to Gloucester is at Twelve Mile Creek, the trip is 80 km and takes about one hour, whilst northern access is at Purfleet near Taree, the trip is 70 km and takes about one hour. NB. Add one more hour for the journey to Barrington Tops from Gloucester.
See more Gloucester details here.
The Bucketts Way is named after the Bucketts Mountains at Gloucester, also known by their aboriginal name: the Buccan Buccans.
4. Thunderbolts Way
Access to Barrington Tops from the northern tableland is also via Thunderbolts Way where Scone Road commences near the Barrington Bridge.
See more Gloucester details here.
Thunderbolts Way is named after the local bushranger Captain Thunderbolt.
Eastern precinct (Gloucester Tops, Gloucester River, Gloucester Falls)
See more Scenic Drive details here.
Access to the eastern precinct of Barrington Tops is via Gloucester Tops Road that joins the Bucketts Way 10 km south of Gloucester. This route is 48 km and takes about one hour. A large portion is winding gravel road but is suitable for 2WD, caravans and motorhomes up to the NPWS Gloucester River campground just inside the national park. There are six river crossing using concrete causeways so take extreme caution after heavy rainfall and do not attempt crossing any floodwaters. Do not take caravans or motorhomes up the mountain to Gloucester Tops.
Gloucester Tops Road is sometimes used as a shortcut for the Barrington Tops northern precinct, taking you to Scone Road at Cobark using Rawdon Vale Road. This route is 35 km and takes about 35 minutes but is mostly a gravel road. The usual route through Gloucester to the same point on Scone Road is bitumen sealed, is 40 km and takes about the same 35 minutes.
Southern precinct (Allyn River, Williams River, Chichester State Forest, etc.,)
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Access to the southern precincts of Barrington Tops is via several routes most of them via Dungog. For visitor sites in Chichester State Forest West (Allyn River) take Salisbury Road, Williams Top Road, Salisbury Gap Road and Allyn River Road.
For visitor sites in Chichester State Forest East (Telegherry River) take Chichester Dam Road and Wangat Road. Or take Main Creek Road and Skimmings Gap Road.
Southwestern precinct (Mount Royal)
See more Scenic Drive details here.
Access to the southwestern precinct of Barrington Tops for Mount Royal National Park (ie. from the Singleton side) is via Carrowbrook Road and Mount Royal Road.