Junction Pools campground

Barrington Tops National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Accessed by 4WD trail, Junction Pools campground offers mountain biking, swimming, and fishing, in Barrington Tops National Park plateau region between Scone and Gloucester.

Accommodation Details
Number of campsites 5
Camping type Tent, Don't mind a short walk to tent
Facilities Barbecue facilities, carpark, toilets
What to bring Firewood
Bookings Book up to 12 people or 2 sites online.
Group bookings This campground is not suitable for group bookings.
Please note
  • Barrington trail is only open to vehicles from October 1 to May 31. At other times, this campground is only accessible by walking or cycling (12km one-way) when the 4WD access trails close. Temporary closures may occur during this period due to weather conditions. Check alerts for current closures.
  • There are no marked sites.
  • A water-based mould (Phytophthora cinnamomi) is prevalent in this area. The mould attacks the roots of plants causing them to rot, causing a dieback of trees and plants. Efforts are in place to contain the area of contamination north of Black Swamp. You can assist the long term containment of the mould by cleaning your shoes and mountain bike tyres before and after entering this region.
  • Help protect the fragile ecosystems of the region by avoiding using soap, shampoo and detergents in waterways and taking all rubbish home with you.
  • Feral horses move through this campground day and night. Aggressive horse behaviour can pose a safety risk for visitors and should be reported to NPWS. Read our alert for more information.

If you yearn to camp under the stars and enjoy a remote wilderness experience, load up the 4WD and head to Junction Pools campground. High in the pristine wilderness of the plateau country within Barrington Tops National Park, between Scone and Gloucester, you’ll experience the unique landscape of sub-alpine wetlands that hark back to the last ice age.

While this remote region houses many unique species, you’re more likely to see eastern grey kangaroos, wombats, and swamp wallabies grazing the grasslands and open forests of the plateau country. Swim the cool, clear mountain streams, try your hand at trout fishing or hike along the Aeroplane Hill walking track. When night settles in, cook up the catch of the day over a campfire and soak up the sounds of the bush.

Take a virtual tour of Junction Pools campground captured with Google Street View Trekker.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • Upper reaches of Barrington River. Photo: John Spencer © DPIE

    Edwards Swamp walking track

    Edwards Swamp walking track is a great way to explore the sub-alpine plateau of Barrington Tops National Park. 7km one-way, it’s also an ideal day walk if you’re camping at Junction Pools campground.

  • Aeroplane Hill trail, Barrington Tops National Park. Photo: John Spencer © OEH

    Aeroplane Hill walking track

    Aeroplane Hill walking track offers scenic views, wildlife, and wetlands in the sub-alpine region of Barrington Tops National Park, between Scone and Gloucester.

  • A 4WD vehicle on Barrington trail, Barrington National Park. Photo: Robert Mulally/OEH.

    Barrington trail

    Take the challenge of the Barrington trail, a 4WD trail in Barrington Tops National Park. Open between October and May every year, plan your 4WD camping holiday now.

Map


Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/junction-pools-campground/local-alerts

Bookings

Operated by

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Junction Pools campground.

Getting there and parking

Junction Pools campground is in the Barrington Tops precinct of Barrington Tops National Park.

From Gloucester:

  • Take Thunderbolts Way; this road becomes Scone Road and Barrington Tops Forest Road.
  • Turn left into Barrington trail at Barrington trail picnic area located on the left after passing Devils Hole.
  • Follow Barrington trail for around 12km to Junction Pools campground.

From Scone:

  • Take the Hunter Road from Scone
  • Turn right on to Moonan Brook Road, then turn left on Barrington Tops Forest Road.
  • Turn into Barrington trail, which is on the right 1km past Polblue.
  • Follow Barrington trail for around 12.5km to Junction Pools campground.

Barrington trail is only open to vehicles from October 1 to May 31. At other times, this campground is only accessible by walking or cycling (12km one-way) when the 4WD access trails close. Temporary closures may occur during this period due to weather conditions. Check alerts for current closures.

Road quality

Roads may become slippery in wet weather.

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • All roads require 4WD vehicle

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

There's an informal gravel carpark at the campground.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Barrington Tops National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

Take to the park's walking tracks to make the most of cooler and drier daytime weather.

Spring

Look out for ground orchids and other wildflowers along the Polblue Swamp walking track.

Summer

Look out for the eastern water dragon basking on rocks around the streams.

Facilities

Water is available at this campground, but it’s advisable to boil or treat the water before drinking.

Toilets

  • Non-flush toilets

Barbecue facilities

  • Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)

Carpark

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Camping safety

Whether you're pitching your tent on the coast or up on the mountains, there are many things to consider when camping in NSW national parks. Find out how to stay safe when camping.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Fishing safety

Fishing from a boat, the beach or by the river is a popular activity for many national park visitors. If you’re planning a day out fishing, check out these fishing safety tips.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - hard

The campground is in remote wilderness and the ground is uneven and grassy. There are no pathways from the parking area to the unmarked campsites.

Permitted

Camp fires and solid fuel burners

Keep campfires small or use a camp stove instead.

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.

Learn more

Junction Pools campground is in Barrington Tops National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

World Heritage-listed rainforests

Rocky crossing, Barrington Tops National Park. Photo: John Spencer

The rainforests in Barrington Tops National Park are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area; the most extensive strip of diverse rainforest anywhere on earth. The World Heritage Area is a direct window into the past and the future, providing a link to the ancient pre-human world and a stunning and irreplaceable record of life on our planet. You can explore the rainforest on one of the park's many walking tracks, like the Honeysuckle Forest track, the Rocky Crossing walk or the Antarctic Beech Forest track. Listen out for the lyrebird whose mimicking calls ring out through the rainforest.

  • Antarctic Beech Forest walking track Antarctic Beech Forest walking track offers rainforest, cascades, scenic views, and birdwatching in Barrington Tops National Park, near Gloucester.
  • Careys Peak walking track Easy Careys Peak walking track offers picnicking, scenic views, birdwatching, and historic heritage in the sub-alpine region of Barrington National Park, near Scone.
  • Cobark Park picnic area Take a break at Cobark Park picnic area to plan your adventures in the plateau region of Barrington Tops National Park—1 hour from Gloucester.

An ancient landscape

Thunderbolts lookout, Barrington Tops National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Barrington Tops National Park and the adjoining State Conservation Area are the traditional land of several Aboriginal groups, including the Worimi and Biripi people, the Gringai clan of the Worimi people and Wonnarua people. The rainforests of Barrington Tops offered a wealth of resources for Aboriginal people, including many edible fruits, like the native cherry, lilly pilly and figs. Today, the history of Aboriginal people in Barrington Tops is recorded in oral history and in the presence of Aboriginal sites. Barrington Tops National Park protects ancient campsites, scarred trees and sacred ceremonial places.

A dramatic wilderness

Barrington Tops National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Most of Barrington Tops National Park is declared wilderness; large, natural areas of land that, together with their native plants and animal communities, remain essentially unchanged by modern human activity. Wilderness areas in NSW represent the largest, most pristine natural areas within NSW - the last of Australia's wild and untamed places. The edges of the wilderness area of Barrington Tops are easily accessible; some of the most spectacular views in the park are from Careys Peak and Devils Hole and Thunderbolts lookouts. You'll notice the varied textures of the forest below you, with the ranges of the Barrington Wilderness running east and south from the plateau like the fingers of an outstretched hand.

  • Barrington trail Take the challenge of the Barrington trail, a 4WD trail in Barrington Tops National Park. Open between October and May every year, plan your 4WD camping holiday now.
  • Gloucester Tops circuit Walk through snow gum woodland and ancient rainforest to lookouts and waterfalls, along the Gloucester Tops circuit. This 8km loop combines 3 popular and scenic walks in Barrington Tops National Park.
  • Majestic Barrington mountain bike tours Enjoy spectacular scenery as you cycle through Barrington Tops National Park and beyond on this supported mountain bike tour with Aussie Bike or Hike, near Gloucester.
  • Rocky Crossing walk Rocky Crossing walk along Williams River offers scenic rainforest views, wildlife and birdwatching on a long easy track in Barrington Tops National Park, near Dungog.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  •  Superb lyrebird, Minnamurra Rainforest, Budderoo National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)

    With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.

  • Swamp wallaby in Murramarang National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)

    The swamp wallaby, also known as the black wallaby or black pademelon, lives in the dense understorey of rainforests, woodlands and dry sclerophyll forest along eastern Australia. This unique Australian macropod has a dark black-grey coat with a distinctive light-coloured cheek stripe.

  • Bare-nosed wombat. Photo: Keith Gillett

    Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

    A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.

  • Australian brush turkey, Dorrigo National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

    Australian brush turkey (Alectura lathami)

    The Australian brush turkey, also known as bush or scrub turkey, can be found in rainforests along eastern NSW. With a striking red head, blue-black plumage and booming call, these distinctive Australian birds are easy to spot while bird watching in several NSW national parks.

  • Eastern common ringtail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

    Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

    Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.

  • Profile view of a rufous scrub-bird (Atrichornis rufescens) standing on a mossy rock. Glen Trelfo © Glen Trelfo

    Rufous scrub-bird (Atrichornis rufescens)

    The vulnerable rufous scrub-bird is a small, ground-foraging bird that lives only in isolated rainforest areas of south-eastern Australia.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)