Explore Narrabri, NSW: Big skies and bigger adventures

The Camper Trailer of the Year 2024 event kicked off in the beautiful town of Narrabri in north-west NSW. And what a perfect place to begin an adventure, with its many natural wonders and tourist attractions that will keep travellers of all ages and interests busy for days. 

Australia is a wide and beautiful land and it’s easy to see why so many of us love heading off the beaten track and exploring its unique and ancient landscapes. And this area of NSW is no different. As you wander or drive through Mount Kaputar National Park and the Nandewar Range you can spot reminders that this environment was formed by erupting volcanoes 17–21 million years ago. And head into the surrounding area and you’ll see how the erosion of these mountains with their rich volcanic soil helped create fertile farmland and the mighty Namoi River system upon which the Narrabri Shire towns have grown and prospered.

The Kamilaroi (Gam-ill-a-roy) are the Traditional Owners of this region, with their lands extending north to Goondiwindi, west to Lightning Ridge and south to Quirindi.

Every camping adventure needs a central hub, and Narrabri is the ideal choice when exploring north-west NSW. It’s the largest town in the area and is conveniently located on the junction of the Newell and Kamilaroi Highways, meaning it’s easy to reach no matter which direction you’re coming from. There’s lots to see and do around the town, with plenty of shops and supermarkets to restock your supplies and a fantastic array of pubs and restaurants to enjoy a meal (the Tourist Hotel got a big tick of approval from the CTOTY crew who loved the Art Deco appearance, live music and fun atmosphere, and the Outback Shack has a fun and quirky aesthetic and great pub grub). 

There are many towns and villages to visit in the Narrabri region, whether heading there on a day trip or making it a camping road trip through the area. Some top recommendations are Wee Waa, the oldest town in the Namoi Valley and known as Australia’s ‘cotton capital’; Boggabri, which was settled in 1860, the same year as Narrabri; and Pilliga, a small village that is home to the popular Pilliga Artesian Bore Baths. 

Now, let’s dive into some of the best things to see and do while you’re exploring NSW’s ‘Big Sky’ Country.

A short drive (52km) east of Narrabri, Mount Kaputar National Park is the perfect playground for outdoor adventurers. Either leave your camper in town or bring it along to one of the campgrounds and set yourself up to explore the park’s many bushwalking trails, hikes and fantastic panoramic views. The 1512m summit of Mount Kaputar is an absolute must and offers 360-degree views and on a clear day you can see up to 10 per cent of NSW from the Summit Lookout. Needless to say, bringing your camera and walking shoes is a must.

The national park is a marvel of lava terraces and volcanic plugs and is home to a wide range of flora and native animals, including many threatened species including bats, birds, wallabies and quolls. The most elusive of all is the native giant pink slug which often appears after rain and can only be found in Mount Kaputar National Park.

Exploring the park’s many walking trails — ranging from easy to more strenuous climbs — is the best way to appreciate the area, and to make things simple the Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre and NPWS office in Narrabri can provide visitors with a guide to the marked walking tracks.

here are two campgrounds in the national park, and both must be pre-booked: Bark Hut picnic area and campground (12 sites, unpowered) and Dawsons Spring campground (17 sites, unpowered). Both campgrounds are camper-friendly and have barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and hot showers. Head to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website for more information and to make bookings: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

If you’re looking for a clear reminder of the fact that Mount Kaputar National Park was created by volcanic eruptions, then make sure you visit Sawn Rocks. Located in the northern end of the national park, this towering wall of pentagonal basalt pipes is awe-inspiring. The unique formation was created by the slow-and-even cooling of molten rock, which allowed individual crystals within the rock to align seamlessly with each other. The result is a wall that looks something quite like a giant, naturally formed church organ and can be best viewed by following the Sawn Rocks walking track which provides informative signs and some of the best spots to stop and take a photo of this natural phenomenon.

A visit to Narrabri Fish Farm is another absolute must when in the area and is only 10km from Narrabri along the Newell Highway. This is the largest hatchery-based aquaculture farm in NSW and breeds native fingerlings and yabbies. It provides guided tours, taste testings, fish feeding, yabbying, fishing and self-sufficient camping. The 101ha farm has more than 100 ponds and is also home to a four-metre sculpture of a Murray cod built using recycled materials, so make sure you grab a pic.

Located an hour’s drive west of Narrabri, Pilliga and its famous Artesian Bore Baths is the perfect spot to relax after spending time exploring Mount Kaputar. Soak in the 37-degree mineral-rich water of the bore bath, which is open 24-hours a day, and enjoy watching the sun set as your aches fade away.

If you want a place to stay nearby, the Pilliga Artesian Bore Bath is also a campground with basic facilities (shower, flushing toilets and barbecues) and unpowered sites for $5 per night. The Pilliga township is only 3km away and has a pub and a cafe.

This collection of award-winning sculptures was four years in the making and provides a unique glimpse into the cultural history of the Pilliga. The sculptures can be found in Dandry Gorge Aboriginal Area in Pilliga Forest (Timmallallie National Park), an area that was once a secret location of the Gamilaroi people but which is now a unique place for all to share and appreciate the local Aboriginal history and culture represented in these artworks.

Each sculpture was created collaboratively by the artist and local Aboriginal Elders and tells a unique story, so give yourself plenty of time to appreciate them and find out more about how they were made and their meanings on the informative panels nearby. Visit in spring to see the forest come alive with wildflowers.

Not far from the walking trail you’ll find Sculptures in the Scrub picnic area and campground. It has basic facilities (picnic tables, barbecues, toilets) and camper-friendly sites for $6 per night.

Located in Timmallallie National Park, Salt Caves are one of the area’s important Aboriginal sites and an example of shelters used by the Gamilaroi people. Legend has it the caves were once 30m deep and salt hung in columns from the roof. These days it makes for a unique spot to enjoy a picnic, barbecue and walk as you explore Pilliga Forest, or a longer stay if you bring your van or tent to camp at the nearby campground with its basic facilities.

After exploring the caves, hike up to Pilliga Forest Lookout Tower for stunning views over the surrounding landscape — if you get clear skies, you can see as far as Warrumbungle National Park to the south-east and Mount Kaputar National Park to the north-east.

If you’re short on time, there is a 1km easy walking trail to Salt Caves Dam, a great place to spot native wildlife and for birdwatching.

All plants, animals and rock features are protected, and all visitors should leave the area as they found it.

For a deeper insight into the traditions and culture of the Gamilaraay Nation, then a visit to this area on the western slopes of Nandewar Ranges (between Narrabri and Mount Kaputar National Park) is a must. The area is co-managed by NSW Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) and the local Aboriginal community and offers stunning views of the Narrabri region’s expansive sky and natural landscape, walking trails, birdwatching and picnic areas.

Spend the day exploring the trails, appreciating views stretching as far as Liverpool Plains to the south-east and Mount Kaputar to the north-east, learning more about the rich history of this land and its traditional owners and immersing yourself in this rare ooline (Cadellia pentastylis) dry rainforest.

The CSIRO Australia Telescope Compact Array is an easy 25km drive west of Narrabri and is home to the largest and most powerful radio telescope in the southern hemisphere made up by six huge antennas that stimulate a single dish 6km wide. Australia is the world leader in radio astronomy, and this telescope is part of the reason why.

The CSIRO observatory is open seven days a week and best yet it’s free. Tour the facility to see the telescope and experience interactive displays. A crowd-pleaser is the ‘whispering dishes’ where the smallest whisper can be transmitted 100m by focusing with two small telescope dishes. It’s a great stopover and fascinating for all ages and there’s an electric barbecue area nearby to make a day of it.

Pilliga Forest is one of the best spots in the area for 4WD adventures, but take care during wet weather, especially if you have a camper or van in tow. Check the NPWS website for track updates before heading off.

The Barraba Track through Mount Kaputar National Park is another good option and was part of the tow-test segment of CTOTY — head to page 11 to find out more about the CTOTY route through the national park.

There’s no shortage of places to set up your camper or RV in and around Narrabri. Here are some of the best spots:

Narrabri (and nearby):

• Highway Tourist Village and Caravan Park
• Mount Kaputar National Park
• Narrabri Big Sky Caravan Park
• Narrabri Fish Farm
• Narrabri Motel and Caravan Park
• Narrabri Showground
• Riverside Farm Retreat
• Salt Caves campground
• Yarrie Lake

Wee Waa

• Waioma Caravan Park
• Wee Waa Showground

Boggabri

• Boggabri Caravan Park
• Boggabri Showground

The best time of year to visit the Narrabri region is in autumn and spring, when the weather is milder and ideal for camping and outdoor activities.

Spring brings with it a bounty of wildflowers — Pilliga Forest is a particularly good spot to see them.

If you visit in winter, be prepared for some cool weather. This is ideal for those who love cosying up by the campfire but be prepared for the chance of a small amount of snow in Mount Kaputar National Park and pack accordingly.

Head to Narrabri in March to experience a unique 16-day festival that celebrates creativity and innovation. There will be workshops you can attend, live performances, local creations and much more.

NarraBRIGHT is the central feature of the CREATE Festival. Held on a single night of the festival, it is essentially a family-friendly street party filled with colourful light installations and projections, live music, street performers, late night shopping, outdoor dining and a kids’ zone. The 2025 event will mark the fifth anniversary of this new spectacular display, so don’t miss out!