The Barracks campground
Coolah Tops National Park
Overview
The Barracks campground is a secluded camping area, great for small groups looking for a tranquil place to come back to after a day of walking or mountain biking.
| Camping type | Tent, Camper trailer site, Caravan site, Camping beside my vehicle |
|---|---|
| Where | Grass Trees Trail, Coolah, NSW, 2843 - in Coolah Tops National Park |
| Facilities | Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, toilets |
| What to bring | Firewood |
| Price | There are no camping fees at this campground but a $6 booking fee applies. |
| Group bookings | Bookings for up to 9 sites and 40 people can be made online. School groups and commercial tour operators can submit a group booking enquiry form. |
| Please note | Sites are unmarked and unpowered. |
Arriving at The Barracks campground, you’ll find a lovely shaded camping area nestled beneath the tall eucalypt forest beside a small creek. It’s a modest campground, great for little groups looking for a tranquil place to relax after a day of walking or mountain biking in the park. It also makes for a beautiful picnic spot to sit by the gently flowing creek, enjoy a hot cuppa and a bit of lunch.
Wander along Grasstrees track through a stand of giant ancient-looking grasstrees. Standing over 4m tall, they’re several hundred years old.
Back at base, sitting in the comfort of your camping chair, you might spot a group of red-necked wallabies bouncing through the bush, or catch a glimpse of a wombat as it waddles through the campground.
Nearby
-
Norfolk Falls picnic area
Norfolk Falls picnic area is in Coolah Tops National Park near The Barracks and Coxs Creek campgrounds. It’s a lovely rest stop when exploring the park’s beautiful waterfalls, walks and lookouts.
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Norfolk Falls lookout
Norfolk Falls lookout is located at the end of Norfolk Falls walk, in Coolah Tops National Park. It’s a great spot to view the cascading waterfall along Norfolk Island Creek, plunging 35m into a pool.
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Pinnacle lookout
Pinnacle lookout is a scenic spot in Coolah Tops National Park, near Coolah. A short drive from The Barracks campground, it offers sweeping views across the Liverpool Plains and Warrumbungle Range.
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Bundella lookout
Bundella lookout offers vast panoramic views across plains and mountains, near Coolah. Enjoy a scenic picnic before exploring the walks, wildlife and waterfalls in Coolah Tops National Park.
Map
Map legend
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/the-barracks-campground/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Warrumbungle NP Visitor Information Centre
- 9am to 4pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 6825 4364
- warrumbungle.np@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 4261 John Renshaw Parkway, Warrumbungle NSW 2828
Park info
- in Coolah Tops National Park in the Country NSW region
Coolah Tops National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather, fire danger or management operations. The eastern end of the park is regularly closed during wet weather due to slippery road conditions.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about The Barracks campground.
Getting there and parking
The Barracks campground is in the western precinct of Coolah Tops National Park. To get there:
- After entering the park, continue on The Forest Road for approximately 6km.
- Take the first left turn onto The Pinnacle Road
- After about 1km, take the first right which takes you to The Barracks campground.
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as some roads within the park are closed after heavy rain.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at The Barracks campground.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Coolah Tops National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Great camping weather before the cold weather arrives. Swap stories by the campfire about the day's adventures.
Spring
See the park come to life as the pink darling pea, yellow flowering black wattle and silver wattle burst into colour.
Summer
Enjoy warm days walking and mountain biking and cooler nights in the bush.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
15°C and 30°C
Highest recorded
40.3°C
Winter temperature
Average
2°C and 15°C
Lowest recorded
-6.7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
May
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
186.7mm
Facilities
- Rubbish bins are not available, so please take your rubbish with you when leaving.
- There’s a small creek adjacent to the camping area. Please remember to boil or treat the creek water before drinking.
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
There’s a small picnic shelter with a rainwater tank.
Barbecue facilities
- Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
Wheelchairs can access this area with some difficulty.
Wheelchair facilities
- Wheel accessible toilet
Permitted
Gathering firewood
Firewood is not provided, but you may collect wood from within the park. Please note that the use of chainsaws is not permitted.
Prohibited
Generators
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
The Barracks campground is in Coolah Tops National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Get active in the bush
Pack your hiking boots and your mountain bike and be ready to get active in the bush at Coolah Tops. There are plenty of great walking tracks and trails to experience the bush on your bike. Make your way to lookouts like Shepherd's Peak or Breeza lookout for spectacular views to the north over the Liverpool Plains and the sheer escarpment. You'll also find several waterfalls along the escarpment where the creeks plunge over the plateau edge.
Wildlife haven
Looking out across the beautiful landscape of Coolah Tops National Park, it's obvious why you'll find so much wildlife here. Wander quietly along one of the walking tracks and you'll probably have a close encounter with red-necked wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos. You might also find a wombat waddling through the campground. Coolah Tops has some of the highest population densities of greater gliders in Australia. At night, keep your torch handy to see greater gliders, ring-tailed possums and possibly feather-tailed gliders or a sugar glider in the nearby trees.
- Grass Tree walking track Grass Tree walking track is a great way to explore a magical landscape of ancient grass trees in Coolah Tops National Park. A must-do for visitors, this easy walk starts at The Barracks campground.
- Shepherds Peak walking track For experienced bushwalkers, Shepherds Peak walking track in Coolah Tops National Park is a great way to explore sub-alpine forest. Come prepared for a steep scramble up the peak’s volcanic dome.
- Snow Gum walking track Snow Gum walking track in Coolah Tops National Park is an easy way to experience some of the largest known snow gum trees in a beautiful old-growth forest setting, near Coolah.