Salt Caves picnic area
Timmallallie National Park
Overview
Pause at Salt Caves picnic area on your exploration of Pilliga Forest and Timmallallie National Park. After a barbecue lunch, take a short walk to Pilliga Forest lookout tower, or a longer hike up to look for birds.
- Type
- Picnic areas
- Where
- Timmallallie National Park in Country NSW
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Please note
- Rainwater is available at the picnic area, however you’ll need to treat or boil it before drinking.
- It’s a good idea to check road conditions before setting out – contact Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre for up to date information
Enjoy your lunch in the company of the birds at Salt Caves picnic area in Timmallallie National Park. It’s a scenic spot to pause for a picnic or barbecue on your exploration of Pilliga Forest.
Pilliga Forest lookout tower is situated just above the picnic area, and offers breathtaking views across the vast Pilliga Forest. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Warrumbungles to the south-east, and Mount Kaputar Park in the north-east.
Work off your lunch with a short 1km hike to Salt Caves Dam, a popular watering hole for the native wildlife and a great spot for birdwatching.
Before you head out to the Salt Caves, get the low down on where to go at the award-winning Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre, in Baradine.
Close to
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Salt Caves campground
Salt Caves campground is a good base when visiting Timmallallie National Park and Pilliga Forest. Explore the nearby Salt Caves and walk up to Pilliga Forest lookout tower.
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Pilliga Forest lookout tower
Pilliga Forest lookout tower is in Timmallallie National Park near Salt Caves picnic area. It’s a great place to soak up sweeping views of the forest and distant mountain ranges beyond.
Map
Map legend
Map
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/salt-caves-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 Timmallallie National Park in the Country NSW region
- Open 24 hours 7 days
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Salt Caves picnic area.
Getting there and parking
Salt Caves picnic area is in Timmallallie National Park, on the corner of County Line Road and Wellyard Road.
To get there from Baradine:
- Follow Salt Caves signage from Baradine (unsealed road 2WD accessible, weather permitting)
- Travel along Indians Lane for approximately 9.5km
- Turn right at the T junction onto No.1 Break Road and continue for 14.7km
- Turn left onto Rocky Road and continue for 20.5km
- Salt Caves picnic area is on your left at the intersection of County line Road and Wellyard Road in Timmallallie National Park.
From Narrabri:
- Travel south on the Newell Highway for 27km
- Turn right onto Pilliga Forest Way and travel 41km (unsealed 2WD accessible, weather permitting)
- Turn left onto County Line Road and travel 9.5km
- Salt Caves picnic area is on your right at the intersection of County Line Road and Wellyard Road in Timmallallie National Park.
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at Salt Caves picnic area.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
You may experience a great range of temperatures on any day in the park. In summer it's generally hot in the daytime and temperatures often exceed 40C. In winter nights can be very cold, but you can enjoy clear sunny days. Rainfall is also highly variable, ranging from drought to prolonged wet periods, with the average annual rainfall around 600mm. Creeks may quickly become impassable after heavy rain.
Summer temperature
Average
15°C and 35°C
Highest recorded
45°C
Winter temperature
Average
2°C and 21°C
Lowest recorded
-6.1°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
June to September
Facilities
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Some assistance may be required for wheelchairs to access Salt Caves picnic area. The Pilliga Forest lookout tower is not wheelchair-accessible.
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.