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.
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...
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Happily lose your perspective on the grassy banks of NSW’s Georges Junction: only 4WDers need apply. At the base of the Great Dividing Range, 80 km east of Armidale and 90km west of Kempsey – home to the Akubra and near Nulla Nulla where Slim Dusty was born – lies...
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Built in 1925 by Michael Feros, this grand hotel is heritage listed and is still owned by the Feros family. It is a classic example of Australian hotel architecture of the 1920s. This dominating building in the heart of Dorrigo links the past to the present. Heritage features include a...
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