Capertee Woolshed ruins

Capertee National Park

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Overview

Capertee Woolshed ruins, in Capertee National Park, offer a view of the historic heritage of the area, with walking, paddling and birdwatching opportunities nearby.

Type
Historic buildings/places
Accessibility
Hard
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
Please note
  • The woolshed building is now derelict and can only be viewed from outside
  • There is limited mobile reception in this park

When spending time in Capertee National Park, remember to visit Capertee Woolshed ruins while you’re there. On the river flat below Capertee Homestead – ‘Port Macquarie’, these ruins are one of the surviving remnants of the area’s pastoral history. Try to imagine it back then, especially during shearing time, with the dusty air filled with the sounds of men’s voices and the bleating of sheep.

Pack a picnic lunch, and take your family along in the car and make a day of it, because there are plenty of other things to do in this section of Capertee, such as paddling in the river or hiking along Capertee trail. If you want to extend your visit then you also have the option to stay overnight at Capertee campground. Enjoy seeing the resident kangaroos grazing in this area. There’s also abundant birdlife in the park, so bring your binoculars along and keep them handy for a spot of birdwatching.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Map


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/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/capertee-woolshed-ruins/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Capertee Woolshed ruins.

Getting there and parking

Capertee Woolshed ruins are in the central precinct of Capertee National Park. To get there:

  • From Glen Alice Road, turn onto Port Macquarie Road and follow until you reach the locked gate.
  • From the locked gate on the park boundary (the access code can be obtained from Mudgee park office), continue on Port Macquarie Road for 5km.
  • Upon arriving at Capertee River causeway, cross the river and follow Capertee trail for approximately 100m until you see the ruins on your left.

Road quality

Check the weather before you set out as the road to Capertee Woolshed ruins can become boggy when it rains.

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Parking is available beside Capertee trail, a short walk (50m) from Capertee Woolshed ruins.

 

Best times to visit

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

Autumn

The cooler autumn months are an excellent time for walking and mountain biking the trails and tracks within the park.

Spring

Grab your binoculars for some superb birdwatching. You might catch a rare glimpse of the endangered regent honeyeater as it builds its nest.

Summer

Enjoy a relaxing picnic on the shady banks of Capertee River, a refreshing swim and perhaps some fishing.

Winter

Enjoy a car tour of Capertee while taking in nearby Wollemi and Goulburn River National Parks.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

12.1°C and 25.5°C

Highest recorded

38.4°C

Winter temperature

Average

10.4°C and 0.7°C

Lowest recorded

-8°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

January

Driest month

September

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

179mm

Facilities

  • Drinking water is limited in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
  • Firewood is not supplied and may not be collected from the park

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

  • The walking opportunities in this park are suitable for experienced bushwalkers who are comfortable undertaking self-reliant hiking
  • This park or attraction is in a remote location, so please ensure you’re well-prepared, bring appropriate clothing and equipment, and advise a family member or friend of your travel plans.

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

  •  Wheelchairs can access this area with some difficulty

Prohibited

Drones

Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.

This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.

Commercial filming and photography

Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.

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

Capertee Woolshed ruins is in Capertee National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Looking for things to do in Capertee?

Policeman's Point campground, Capertee National Park. Photo: Michelle Barton

There are great things to do when in Capertee. Enjoy fantastic bird watching any time of the year - the protected woodlands attract the threatened gang-gang and glossy black cockatoos, and Capertee Valley is one of only three known nesting areas for the endangered regent honeyeater. You'll find a range of options if you're looking for a place to stay, including Capertee Homestead, Cottage or campground. Bookings essential. You can also hike into remote Policemans Point campground.

  • Capertee Woolshed ruins Capertee Woolshed ruins, in Capertee National Park, offer a view of the historic heritage of the area, with walking, paddling and birdwatching opportunities nearby.
  • Valley lookout Relax with a picnic lunch at Valley lookout and enjoy dramatic views inside the world’s second largest canyon. It’s easily combined with a 4WD or camping getaway in Capertee National Park, near Rylstone.

Plant life abounds

Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Capertee National Park. Photo: Michelle Barton

The park is home to rare grey grevillea shrubs, which bloom with pink and red flowers in spring. This hardy, dense shrub is found nowhere else but Capertee Valley. Fertile river flats and surrounding slopes host an ecological community of majestic yellow box, blakelys red gum and white box, providing a vital habitat for wildlife and native birds.

  • Capertee Woolshed ruins Capertee Woolshed ruins, in Capertee National Park, offer a view of the historic heritage of the area, with walking, paddling and birdwatching opportunities nearby.
  • Valley lookout Relax with a picnic lunch at Valley lookout and enjoy dramatic views inside the world’s second largest canyon. It’s easily combined with a 4WD or camping getaway in Capertee National Park, near Rylstone.

Wiradjuri country

Looking over the escarpment in Capertee National Park. Photo: Michelle Barton

Capertee National Park is within the traditional lands of Wiradjuri People. The surrounding countryside contains evidence of Aboriginal occupation in the form of rock art, scarred trees and artefacts. Traditional food plants and old travel routes are also present within the park.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • Close up of a regent honeyeater bird perched on a tree branch. Photo: Mick Roderick © Mick Roderick

    Regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia)

    The regent honeyeater is a critically endangered native bird. Once widespread across south-eastern Australia, only around 250 to 350 birds remain in the wild, making it at risk of extinction.

  • 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.

  • Sugar glider. Photo: Jeff Betteridge

    Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps)

    The sugar glider is a tree-dwelling Australian native marsupial, found in tall eucalypt forests and woodlands along eastern NSW. The nocturnal sugar glider feeds on insects and birds, and satisfies its sweet tooth with nectar and pollens.

  • 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.

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