• HOME
  • OUR BUCKET LIST
  • RPA (DRONE) OPERATIONS
    • AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
    • RPA FLIGHT INSTRUCTION
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • WORK WITH US
  • THE FINE PRINT
  • SEARCH

All Around Oz

Australian Caravan and Camping Adventures

  • Australia
    • A-Z of Aussie Towns
  • Camping
    • Camping Equipment
    • Camping Spots
    • Camper Trailers
  • CARAVANNING
    • Caravan Parks
    • Caravan Reviews
    • Hints and Tips
  • Destinations
    • ACT
    • New South Wales
    • Queensland
    • South Australia
    • Victoria
    • Where To Stay
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
  • RPA’S
  • Reviews
    • Events
    • Experiences
    • Places to Stay
    • Products
  • TRAVEL COOKING
    • Camp Cooking
    • Cooking on the Road
    • Hints and Tips
  • Travel Tips
    • Active/Healthy Travel
    • Budgeting
    • Family Travel
    • Hints
    • Maintenance
    • Planning for the Future
    • Travel Safety

Exploring The Pilliga State Forest, NSW

August 10, 2018 By Melissa 2 Comments

The Pilliga State Forest in NSW is a vast area of National Park and State Forest located between Narrabri in the north and Coonabarabran in the South. Covering an area of about 3000 square kilometres, Pilliga State Forest is home to a huge variety of native animals and plants. With it’s vivid orange soils, rocky outcrops and scrubby woodlands, it is a truly diverse area.

The Pilliga is roughly split in half by the Newell Highway. There is plenty to see and do on either side of the highway. To access most parts of The Pilliga you will have to drive on rough, sandy and corrugated roads. Many of these roads become impassable in wet weather. At all times, use caution when driving in this area.

Exploring The Pilliga State Forest - Rough Dirt Road
The roads in The Pilliga are rough, corrugated and sandy so care is needed when travelling in the area.

PILLIGA POTTERY AND BARKALA FARMSTAY

One of the easiest spots to access is Pilliga Pottery and Barkala Farmstay as it is just a short drive off the Newell Highway. I fell in love with this little hidden gem, even though we didn’t have the chance to stay there. Pilliga Pottery is located at the front of the property and has an almost Mediterranean feel to it, with it’s dolphin fountain, shady trees and terracotta hues.

Pilliga State Forest
The courtyard at Pilliga Pottery is the perfect spot to relax.

This was the perfect spot to enjoy afternoon tea from the Blue Wren Bush Cafe.  I had a delicious piece of home made Apple Crumble with fresh cream and a coffee for a mere $12.50.

The pottery itself is breath-taking in it’s beauty. Much of it features the tiny blue wrens which can be seen flitting around the farm. The colours are so vivid and the attention to detail is evident in each piece. Be prepared to pay a hefty price though if you want to take a piece home with you.



If you want to stay at Barkala there are several accommodation options available. These include lodge accommodation, guest houses and a camp ground. There is also a beautiful swimming pool available for guests to use during the very hot summer months.

Exploring the Pilliga State Forest
The colours and attention to detail in the pieces produced at Pilliga Pottery are amazing….so are the price tags!

SCULPTURES IN THE SCRUB, BARADINE

Sculptures in the Scrub is located in the Timmallallie National Park section of the Pilliga, about 40 kilometres east of the tiny town of Baradine.  A group of five sculptures scattered along a 1.2 kilometre long walking trail, they should be your number one reason for visiting the Pilliga region.

Inspired by the Aboriginal cultural heritage of the area, they sit high upon the Dandry Gorge, which is a place of special significance for the Gamilaroi people.

The views are nothing short of spectacular.  From the rugged, rocky outcrops of the cliff face high on the other side, to the peaceful serenity of the valley below. You will be awestruck by the beauty of the area.

Exploring the Pilliga State Forest - Sculptures in the Scrub
The Sculptures in the Scrub are truly unique.

A three kilometre walking track leads from the carpark along the cliff top where the sculptures sit. Then makes it’s way back along the valley below. There are a number of stairs at the beginning of the walk so you will need to be reasonably fit.



Allow a good 45 minutes to an hour to complete the walk. Sturdy shoes, sunscreen, a hat and water bottle are recommended.

Exploring the Pilliga State Forest - First Lesson from below
Looking up from the walking track below, it actually looks like a real person standing on the cliff top.

Best of all there is a large free camping area here. I would recommend a high-clearance vehicle and van to get into this area as the road is gravel, rough, sandy in places and full of corrugations but so worth it!

THE PILLIGA FOREST DISCOVERY CENTRE

If you want to learn more about all the Pilliga State Forest has to offer, then a visit to the Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre is a must. Located in Baradine, the very knowledgeable staff  will provide you with all the information you need to know before you head out into the Pilliga itself. There is also an interactive display of the flora, fauna and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage of the area.

Also in Baradine you will find the lovely Freckles Coffee Spot. Here you can enjoy some morning tea or lunch in Baradine’s former Embassy Theatre. Another option for accommodation can be found at Camp Cypress. Located just on the outskirts of Baradine there are both cabins and camp sites available.

Exploring the Pilliga State Forest - Pilliga Discovery Centre
Make sure you visit the Pilliga Discovery Centre before you go exploring the area.

USEFUL LINKS

For more information about the picnic and camping area at Sculptures in the Scrub visit the NSW National Parks website. Other great places to visit or stay whilst exploring the Pilliga State Forest include:

  • Narrabri
  • Yarrie Lake
  • Coonamble 
  • Wee Waa and Pilliga
  • Coonabarabran

 

PIN THIS:

Exploring the Pilliga State Forest

SHARE THIS

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Print

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Filed Under: Destinations, New South Wales Tagged With: new south wales

Comments

  1. Diana bishop says

    September 9, 2020 at 12:22 am

    Can I take a dog into these areas .

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      September 11, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      No you can’t – it’s a National Park.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Meet Brenden and Mel from All Around Oz.....passionate Aussie travellers who love sharing their adventures......

GET SOCIAL WITH US

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP

FOLLOW OUR TRAVELS

Never miss a post. Get our latest news and adventures in your inbox.

WE USE AND RECOMMEND

SHOP NOW FOR ALL YOUR TRAVEL NEEDS

Instagram

Top Posts & Pages

  • Cleaning Mould off Canvas
  • 12 Caravan Storage and Organisation Ideas That Work
  • Alternator or DC-DC Charging - What is the Difference?
  • Weight Abbreviations and What They Mean When Towing
  • Why We Chose A Compressor Caravan Fridge
  • Caravan Park Membership - Which One Should You Choose?

Archives

Tags

australia brisbane bush camping buying a caravan camp cooking camper trailer camping camping spots camp oven camp oven cooking caravan caravanning caravan parks caravans carnarvon gorge day trips drone drones expenses featured lappers Fraser Island free camps gold coast gold coast hinterland lap of australia national parks new south wales northern nsw NSW Outback NSW outback travel Queensland remotely piloted aircraft reviews rpa scenic rim snowy mountains south east queensland travel travel Australia travelling travelling with kids travel safety trip planning victoria

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

All Around Oz acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. {SOURCE}

This site utilises Affiliate Links as a form of advertising as per our Disclosure Policy.

Instagram

Follow our Adventures

©2020 All Around Oz

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.