National Parks Guide
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Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
Mt Yarrowyck Nature Reserve
Mother Of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve
New England National Park
Cathedral Rock National Park
Guy Fawkes River National Park

Waterfall Way National Parks
Armidale is the gateway to some of the most spectacular wilderness areas, rainforests, abundant wildlife and the best National Parks and World Heritage sites anywhere in Australia. These Parks hold an immeasurable wealth of enjoyment and education for visitors. For over 200 million years the tablelands of New England have been evolving into dramatic gorges, towering granite tours and tumbling waterfalls, all of which can be reached within an hour's drive of Armidale. Most of these Parks are totally accessible, to the Visitor's area at least, by conventional vehicle. The following are just some of the areas worth a visit.

Oxley Wild Rivers National Park back to top
The jewel in our crown and the seventh largest National Park in NSW. This Park covers over 90,000ha with 500km of wild and scenic rivers. It contains the Macleay Gorges Wilderness Area and is listed on the register of World Heritage sites. The following areas are all within about an hour's drive from Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

Mt Yarrowyck Nature Reserve back to top
30km west of Armidale along the Bundarra Rd. Mt Yarrowyck has a fascinating Aboriginal Cultural Walk. A 3km graded track along granite boulder slopes to cave painting.

Mother Of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve back to top
Located west of Guyra, this wetland nature reserve features large numbers of water birds as well as swallows, kites and migratory snipe from Japan.

New England National Park back to top
Point Lookout is one of the highest places north of the Snowy Mountains. Views to the coast can be breathtaking. Now a World Heritage Park, New England is also one of the oldest. Walking tracks lead through misty Antarctic Beech forests below the escarpment of this ancient extinct volcano. 70km east of Armidale, then 16km out to the Park. Basic camping and picnic areas.

Cathedral Rock National Park back to top
Giant granite boulders circled by Wedge-Tailed Eagles make for an adventure to be remembered. Walking tracks to Cathedral Rock and Woolpack offer a natural high. Access to Barokee Rest Area from Armidale Road, or Native Dog Rest Area, 11km from Ebor on the Guyra Road.

Guy Fawkes River National Park back to top
Rugged and remote river country. Good views from lookouts on Misty Creek Road and Chaelundi Road and plenty of scope for short and long hard walks. Picnic at Ebor Falls where the Guy Fawkes River takes its first spectacular plunge off the tablelands. Camp at Chaelundi Rest Area or walk to the Guy Fawkes River.