The Pines picnic area
Cocoparra National Park
Overview
Relax at The Pines picnic area in Cocoparra National Park where you can have a barbecue, surrounded by white cypress pine and woodland birds, before taking one of Cocoparra’s beautiful bushwalks.
- Type
- Picnic areas
- Where
- Cocoparra National Park in Murray-Riverina
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
The Pines picnic area is popular with visitors, especially families, looking for a pretty, peaceful spot for a rest. Equipped with a gas barbecue for serious picnickers, it’s easy to while away a few hours here.
Set in open woodland among white cypress pines, it’s perfect in the milder months from April to October, when you’ll see a variety of flowers including greenhood and pink and blue finger orchids. Nearby Woolshed Falls cascades after heavy rain, so be sure to take the short walk to see this waterfall if it’s been wet.
If you’re into birdwatching, many interesting birds can be spotted in the park. Look out for rufous whistlers, white-browed babblers, striated pardalotes, red-rumped parrots, painted honeyeaters and lots more.
Nearby
-
Woolshed Falls walking track
Woolshed Falls walking track, near Griffith, is located in Cocoparra National Park, close to Woolshed Flat campground. It’s great for walking with kids.
-
Woolshed Flat campground
Great for bushwalking and birdwatching, Woolshed Flat campground in Cocoparra National Park is a peaceful place for picnicking among shady trees and resident kangaroos.
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Ironbark picnic area: Cocoparra National Park
Ironbark picnic area is on Ironbark Trail near Woolshed Flat campground in Cocoparra National Park. It’s a great spot to bring lunch, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and see woodland birds and grey kangaroos.
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/things-to-do/picnic-areas/cocoparra-the-pines-picnic-area/local-alerts
General enquiries
- 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
Park info
- in Cocoparra National Park in the Murray-Riverina region
Cocoparra National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the The Pines picnic area.
Getting there and parking
The Pines picnic area is off Woolshed Flat Road, Cocoparra National Park. To get there from Griffith:
- Take Beelbangera Road towards Yenda for approximately 16km
- Turn left onto Myall Park Road
- Turn right onto Mount Bingar Road
- Travel for 7km and turn left into the Whitton Stock Route
- Travel a further 4.6km and turn right into Woolshed Flat Road
- The Pines picnic area entrance is a further 3.1km along this road
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as the road to The Pines picnic area can become boggy when it rains.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available at The Pines picnic area.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Cocoparra National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Camp at Woolshed Flat while the days are still long and warm enough to explore the walking tracks and the cool nights are pleasant for sitting and watching the sun set Keep an eye out for the autumn greenhood, an early flowering orchid. .
Spring
Take Jacks Creek walking track to see gorgeous spring flowers, including orchids, daisies, wattles and tea-trees. Watch the first rainbow bee-eaters arrive to build nests in the ground. Their brilliant colours are dazzling. Climb Mount Brodgen to look out over the plains and the tree line of Murrumbidgee River .
Winter
Winter rains bring the creeks and falls to life, and the blue-tinged cypress pine trees contrast against the red rocks beautifully after wet weather. The mosses and lichens on Falcon Falls walking track are also renewed with the seasonal rains Wattles begin to flower and their glorious colour will brighten up a cold day .
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
15°C and 33°C
Highest recorded
44.7°C
Winter temperature
Average
3°C and 17°C
Lowest recorded
–4.8°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
October
Driest month
December
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
111.3mm
Facilities
- Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
- A free gas barbecue is supplied, but you’re encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
- Rubbish bins are not available, so please take your rubbish with you when you leave.
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Gathering firewood
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 Pines picnic area is in Cocoparra National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A haven for birds
This is a mecca for birdwatchers, with many resident and migratory species recorded here. Look out for the locally-threatened glossy-black cockatoo drinking from dams at dusk or quietly feeding on the seeds of the drooping she-oak. You may also see the many endangered woodland birds such as the hooded robin, speckled warbler, varied sittella, grey-crowned babbler, diamond firetail or shy heathwren. You can also visit the nesting grounds of the peregrine falcon at Falcon Falls.
- Falcon Falls walking track Take Falcon Falls walking track for bushwalking past waterfalls and for spectacular woodland birdwatching, including magnificent peregrine falcons during nesting season.
- Mount Brogden walking track Visit Mount Brogden walking track in Cocoparra National Park, near Griffith, for some excellent birdwatching, and enjoy Murrumbidgee River views.
- Store Creek walking track Explore interesting rock formations on Store Creek walking track, only 30 minutes from Griffith. The track is a birdwatcher’s paradise and a wildflower wonderland in spring.
Ancient Aboriginal sites
This is Wiradjuri country, and the many Aboriginal sites within Cocoparra National Park suggest intensive use during winter and spring when food resources became scarce along rivers, with surface water available in the protected valleys of the range. The name 'Cocoparra' comes from the Aboriginal 'cocupara', or kookaburra.
Dramatic rock formations
Conserving an important area of native vegetation, Cocoparra National Park stands out amid the surrounding plains and farmlands with its rugged ranges and spectacular scenery. Deep narrow valleys, folded and eroded rock faces and delightful waterfalls mean that the view is always changing. For a dramatic overview of the plains, take Jacks Creek or Mount Brogden walking tracks. The rugged, craggy landscape of the Cocoparra Range produces a great variety of habitats. You’ll find woodlands and forests occupied by white cypress pine, Dwyer’s mallee gum, kurrajong, yellow box and many more during your bushwalks. If you’re a budding botanist, you’ll love the delicate orchids and spring wildflowers.
- Jacks Creek walking track Jacks Creek walking track threads through a sheltered gorge and upon ridge tops. You’ll enjoy scenic views, plentiful birdwatching and diverse habitats.
- Store Creek walking track Explore interesting rock formations on Store Creek walking track, only 30 minutes from Griffith. The track is a birdwatcher’s paradise and a wildflower wonderland in spring.
- Woolshed Falls walking track Woolshed Falls walking track, near Griffith, is located in Cocoparra National Park, close to Woolshed Flat campground. It’s great for walking with kids.