Looking for a beautiful spot to cool off after exploring the national parks along the Waterfall Way? Well these picturesque swimming locations are sure to be worthy of an Instagram post or two?
First stop Gara Gorge, or otherwise referred to by the locals as the Blue Hole. Gara Gorge is located in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, a short 20 minute drive from Armidale. The Threlfall walking track is a relatively easy 5 km loop with scenic views over the spectacular gorge country. The track will return you to the picnic area where you can cool off in the Gara River. In spring keep an eye out for the 3 families of Platypus that reside in the river.
After rain the river can be quite treacherous so caution is advised when swimming here.
Wattle Flat – Styx River State Forest is located a 1 hour drive from Armidale and can be accessed via the Armidale-Kempsey road. The grassy picnic area is set underneath river oaks on one of the loveliest stretches of the Styx River, where the water tumbles over rocks and boulders into large pools.
Dangar Falls in Dorrigo will astound you with its sheer beauty as the waterfall cascades 30m into an incredible natural swimming hole. Dangar Falls is located just 2km from the town centre and it is a wide and powerful waterfall which is an absolutely breathtaking place to swim. It is a short 15 minute walk from the car park to the base of the falls.
Bellingen is a wild swimmers dream with pristine rivers and waterholes to swim, canoe and explore. From The Promised Land to the Never Never and Bellinger River there are several great swimming spots to discover. Pack your swimmer and a picnic rug and while away the hour lazing in the sunshine and swimming in the crystal clear waters.
The Waterfall Way is one of the main arteries into New England from the east, and it’s aptly named. Weaving through a number of the high country’s world-class national parks, this road promises to defy the advice of 90s pop culture and instead go chasing waterfalls. Here’s our pick of...
Read story
Bellingen is a bohemian inland town right smacked in the middle of Sydney and Brisbane. It may be small, but the list of things to do in Bellingen goes on and on, much like the rolling Teletubby hills and pastures of its lush surrounds. Here are 10 to get you...
Read story
Dangar Falls Reserve is renowned for the Dangar Falls – a 30-meter waterfall that is viewable from the newly upgraded accessible viewing platform. Alternatively, you can get up close and personal at the base of the falls via a 10-minute walk along a newly renovated pathway. But this is not...
Read story
