Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
Overview
In the foothills of Barrington Tops, Copeland Tops State Conservation Area offers rainforest walking tracks, picnic areas, birdwatching and guided tours at a historic mine that are great for school excursions.
Read more about Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
Two types of gold have been discovered within the New South Wales area now known as Copeland Tops State Conservation Area. The first was ‘red gold’, which was red cedar highly sought after by Australia’s European settlers. It was the early explorers who came to log along these mountain ridges who then discovered the shiny type, and goldmining took off too. Although conditions would have been tough back then in this rugged and remote area, you’ll discover that it’s actually a beautiful place to have worked in.
Copeland Tops, home to the most accessible tract of rare dry rainforest in the Gloucester district, is simply gorgeous. Hike along old logging tracks beneath a canopy of towering trees on one of the park’s scenic walking trails. There are plenty of great places to picnic. To learn more about the area’s mining heritage, join one of our Discovery tours of Mountain Maid gold mine.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/copeland-tops-state-conservation-area/local-alerts
Contact
- in the North Coast region
Copeland Tops State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Gloucester office
02 6538 5300
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. - 59 Church Street, Gloucester NSW 2422
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Email: npws.barringtontops@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Gloucester office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Copeland Tops State Conservation Area.
Map
Map legend
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
From Gloucester:
- Follow Thunderbolts Way northwest out through the village of Barrington and over the single-lane bridge
- Continue west on Barrington Tops Forest Road until you come to Copeland village
- Turn left into Copeland Road and follow this road to the carpark at the end
Parking
- Hidden Treasure picnic area See on map
- Mountain Maid gold mine See on map
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
By public transport
For information about public transport options, visit the NSW country transport info website.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Copeland Tops State Conservation Area.
Spring
This season offers mild walking conditions as well as the chance to witness bird migration. For instance, the wompoo fruit-dove – Australia's largest fruit dove – migrates from lower elevations in winter to upland forests in the warmer months.
Summer
There's nothing like rainforest to keep you cool; it's always several degrees less beneath the protective canopy, so enjoy following the park's walking tracks and finding shady places to picnic during the hotter months. The park's raised elevation also contributes to these milder conditions.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
17°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
28°C
Winter temperature
Average
6.7°C and 14.5°C
Lowest recorded
7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February
Driest month
July
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
261.6mm
Facilities
Toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Nearby towns
Gloucester (18 km)
Famous for gold deposits and the bushranger Captain Thunderbolt, Gloucester is located in the north Hunter region, east of Barrington Tops. The nearby state forests and national parks are ideal for walking, camping and outdoor adventure sports.
Dungog (80 km)
Dungog is a country town with character, backed by magnificent rolling hills, national parks and state forests. It's in the heart of dairy and beef cattle country.
Taree (93 km)
Taree is a major mid North Coast city, ringed by superb beaches. It's situated on the Manning River and set against rolling hills.
Learn more
Copeland Tops State Conservation Area is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
Striking it rich
It was the red cedar cutters who, battling to log 'red gold' in this unforgiving terrain from the early 1800s, first discovered gold here in 1875. The area soon became known as Copeland and over the next 60 years more than 50 gold mines were dug in the area. According to the records, over 1800kg of the valuable metal were extracted during that time. Many relics of this mining heritage remain in the form of historic sites and derelict equipment. However, the bushland and rainforest now dominate once again.
- Basin loop track Basin loop track continues from Hidden Treasure track to form a longer walk with scenic views of Copeland Tops State Conservation Area via historic Old Copeland Road.
- Copeland Tops twilight tour Experience the magic of Copeland Tops at twilight. Explore Hidden Treasure track and the historic buildings of Mountain Maid gold mine on this evening tour near Gloucester.
- Hidden Treasure track Take a walk through the rainforest along Hidden Treasure track in Copeland Tops State Conservation Area, near Gloucester. You'll pass remnants of the area's mining heritage, including a historic boiler and disused mine entrance.
- It's gold! Stage 3 History students will learn about the critical role national parks play in preserving our unique native plants, animals and rich cultural heritage. Learn about the long history of mining in the area and see where gold-hungry souls toiled in Mountain Maid gold mine – one of New South Wales’ longest-running operational gold mines.
- Junior ranger: Mountain Maid gold mine tour Step back in time this school holidays and uncover the hidden treasures of Mountain Maid gold mine at Copeland Tops.
Land of plenty
This is the traditional lands of the Worimi and Biripi people who live in the area and previously moved around in response to the seasonal availability of food. Such a broad ecosystem would have provided many resources for medicinal, ceremonial and cultural purposes. It is very likely that people travelling from the coast to Barrington Tops area would have passed through Copeland Tops. Their history will forever be an integral part of this landscape.
From little things big things grow
From the delicate epiphytes, only one cell in width, to the gnarled sprawling branches of the ancient grey myrtles, each plant has its place within the ecosystem of the rare dry rainforest. The tract within Copeland Tops is the largest accessible section in the district of Gloucester. Take a walk through the green corridors overhung by strangler figs, shatterwood and grey myrtle. On the ground between mossy rocks and on the sides of trees grow birds nest ferns, staghorns, elkhorns and orchids. The rare stuttering frog is commonly heard around these parts, its call emitting from a preferred habitat of stream-side leaf litter. Its repetitive song is often joined by the screech of glossy black-cockatoos, the "wollack-wa-hoo" of the wompoo fruit-dove and the unpredictable calls of lyrebirds. At night, the masked, powerful and sooty owls come out to hunt and hoot.
- Basin loop track Basin loop track continues from Hidden Treasure track to form a longer walk with scenic views of Copeland Tops State Conservation Area via historic Old Copeland Road.
- Copeland Tops twilight tour Experience the magic of Copeland Tops at twilight. Explore Hidden Treasure track and the historic buildings of Mountain Maid gold mine on this evening tour near Gloucester.
- Exploring the rainforest Join us and explore a unique rainforest environment on this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) Geography excursion at Copeland Tops State Conservation Area. Students will conduct field exercises and learn what makes rainforest areas so special.
- Hidden Treasure track Take a walk through the rainforest along Hidden Treasure track in Copeland Tops State Conservation Area, near Gloucester. You'll pass remnants of the area's mining heritage, including a historic boiler and disused mine entrance.
- Junior ranger: Mountain Maid gold mine tour Step back in time this school holidays and uncover the hidden treasures of Mountain Maid gold mine at Copeland Tops.
Education resources (1)
School excursions (3)
- It's gold!, Stage 3 (Years 5-6), History
- Exploring the rainforest, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography
- The earth's environment, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography
What we're doing
Copeland Tops State Conservation Area has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. Visit the OEH website for detailed park and fire management documents.