Overview
Gum Hole campground and picnic area is a great place to explore Warrabah National Park and go bushwalking, birdwatching, fishing, swimming or canoeing on the river.
| Camping type | Tent, Camping beside my vehicle |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, carpark, toilets |
| What to bring | Firewood |
| Price |
$6 per adult per night. $3.50 per child per night. |
| Bookings | Contact Narrabri office on 02 6792 7300. |
| Please note | Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird watch. |
Enjoy relaxed and easy camping in incredibly lush, tranquil surroundings at Gum Hole campground and picnic area. It’s a fantastic spot that’s perfect for picnics by the river, with plenty of space for the kids to run around. Take your 4WD for this riverside camping experience.
From here, you have direct access to Namoi River and all the adventures and activities it offers, be it swimming and paddling in the water, fishing for your dinner, canoeing through the rapids, or simply soaking up the sights and sounds of the local wildlife.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/gum-hole-campground-and-picnic-area/local-alerts
Operated by
- Narrabri office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6792 7300
- npws.barwon@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Level 1, 100 Maitland Street, Narrabri NSW 2390. Accessible via Dewhurst Street.
Park info
- in Warrabah National Park in the Country NSW region
Warrabah National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to fire danger or flooding.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Gum Hole campground and picnic area.
Getting there and parking
The safest, legal way to get to this campground is via Manilla.
Don’t use Google Maps to direct you to this campground and picnic area. It will take you on unsafe, unmarked roads through private property. You can use Google Maps to get you to Manilla only. From Manilla, please follow these directions:
- Travel north out of town across the Namoi River towards Barraba
- Around 500m north of the bridge, turn right onto Barraba Street
- Continue onto Namoi River Road and follow the signs to Warrabah National Park
- Turn right onto Warrabah trail
- Gum Hole campground is located 3.2km into Warrabah National Park, past Warrabah campground and at the end of Gum Hole trail
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- All roads require 4WD vehicle
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Warrabah National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Make the most of the cooler days to explore some of the park's more heart-pumping bushwalks.
Spring
A lovely time to enjoy picnicking by the river, indulging in wildlife and nature photography, birdwatching, and bushwalking.
Summer
Cool off from the heat in the lovely Namoi River with a swim and a splash, enjoy a spot of fishing, or take on a bracing canoeing adventure.
Winter
The park is often quiet at this time of year, yet doesn't get too cold, so it's a good opportunity to go bushwalking and birdwatching in solitude.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
17°C and 32°C
Highest recorded
41.3°C
Winter temperature
Average
0°C and 18°C
Lowest recorded
-9.4°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
April
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
194.3mm
Facilities
Firewood is not supplied and may not be collected within the park.
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)
Carpark
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
Armidale (65 km)
During autumn the parks and gardens around Armidale show their beautiful colours. Enjoy a drive along the Waterfall Way, stopping at waterfalls and craggy gorges in the rugged countryside.
Barraba (50 km)
Barraba is a birdwatcher's paradise - spot the rare Regent Honeyeater on one of the region's 14 bird routes, which have fine tree cover and good public access. There are plenty of great spots for bushwalking, such as through remnant rainforest in Mount Kaputar National Park.
Tamworth (56 km)
Tamworth's annual Country Music Festival is the largest music festival in the southern hemisphere and one of the top 10 music festivals in the world, with more than 2,200 events and 400 performances or gigs across 90 venues.
Learn more
Gum Hole campground and picnic area is in Warrabah National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A river runs through it
The soothing atmosphere and scenery created by the impressive Namoi River is surpassed by few national parks and must be seen to be fully appreciated. Huge granite boulders tower above the valley's deep, tranquil pools, while the rushing rapids are a highly enjoyable challenge for experienced canoeists.
Amazing animals
The park is home to plenty of interesting animals, which you'll encounter throughout your visit. You might spot eastern grey kangaroos, common wallaroos and red-necked wallabies in the fields and forests at dawn and dusk. Platypus can be seen on rare occasions splashing along the river in waterholes during the late afternoon too. At night, common brushtail possums and sugar gliders can be caught foraging in the Kurrajong trees. Common reptiles here include lace monitors, southern spotted velvet geckos and red-bellied black snakes. Namoi River even provides habitat for the vulnerable Bell's turtle, which is found only within the Namoi/Gwydir catchment. Be sure to bring your binoculars if you enjoy bird watching because over 120 species of birds have been sighted here, from robins, rosellas and cockatoos to wedge-tailed eagles and wrens, just to name a few.
Gone fishing
Keen fishers will be delighted at the freshwater fish species that can be caught here, including the delicious Murray cod and freshwater catfish, as well as several smaller species, such as the western carp gudgeon.
