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State Forests
North of the Barringtons is the Knorrit, Bulga, Doyles, Mt Boss, Kipara, Yessabah, Ingalba, Bowraville, Wedding Bells and Conglomerate State Forests enabling excellent 4WD and camping just inland from Taree to Grafton.

This trek is located in the Central NSW region.

Start Finish Distance Min Days Rating
Raymond Terrace Kempsey 283 2 Trek rating 2 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 2 of 5 - Click for details
» Description
» Preparation
    Fuel Information, Best Time to Visit
    Permits, Supplies/Facilities
» Things to See & Do
» Driving Notes
» Waypoints
» Related Shop Items
  
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Researched By ExplorOz - Michelle Jacka   Latest Update 10 Aug 2007

 Description


MUD MAP


Raymond Terrace, in the NSW Hunter District, is on the Pacific Highway just 2 hours North of Sydney. Before leaving Raymond Terrace, try to find the historic township of Morpeth - it's on the road to Maitland. Morpeth is just a strip of quaint cafes, quality handmade gifts and collectables. Not all businesses are open on weekdays, some open after 11am. There are some real treasures here, excellent treats, fudge shop etc.

The route north of Raymond Terrace crosses sections of Wallaroo and Karuah State Forests then dives into the Myall River State Forest where you may encounter some difficult but remote and scenic 4WD trails. Towards Gloucester the forests give way to lush dairying country and another little village worth visiting is Copeland. It was once a booming goldfield town in the 1870s and original machinery has been restored to working order. This trek is a great lead up to the Barrington Tops which are accessed from Gloucester.

Head out of Raymond Terrace on the Pacific Highway and turn left onto Bucketts Way. Turn right after 23.7km after crossing 2 bridges over creeks. (GPS 32 28' 5" S, 151 57' 30" E). Cross another bridge and turn left onto the gravel Jarrah Rd.

After 10km turn right at Winns Creek Trail. After 2km, negotiate a creek crossing with a steep exit and some washaways. There are now numerous creek crossings every few hundred metres until meeting up with a signpost for Winns Creek Trail. Turn left. 3km later turn left onto Crawford Rd, which will take you to a lovely forest camp, Blueberry Mill Camping Area. There are no facilities but its a great bush camp with heaps of wildlife and walking trails. A good place to get away from the crowds!

Only 2.5km further on is our favourite camp area, Strike-a-Light. This is a larger camp with more open space, a creek nearby, tables and bbqs. After crossing the bridge, turn right onto Archs Camp Road. (GPS 32 17' 25" S, 152 5' 25" E). Pass Cabbage Tree Road at the intersection 600m along and then after 3.4km turn right onto Cabbage Tree Road the the t-intersection.

You can very easily get lost here without maps, GPS and guides so take a few backup measures.

Continue straight on Cabbage Tree Road, passing turnoffs to Harveys New Rd, Strike a Light Rd, Tallowwood Forest Park, Gilberts Rd, Bulli Rd (steep descent) and then cross the causeway opposite Knob Road. Keep left, passing Old Inn Rd and turn left onto bitumen at a signpost to Cabbage Tree Road/Myall River State Forest.

After 11.8km of bitumen turn across causeway. The bitumen soon peters out to gravel and you cross a couple of bridges before turning right onto Waukivory Road at a t-intersection. (GPS 32 14 50" S, 152 10' 0" E). Follow the signs into Gloucester via Bucketts Way. Make sure you head up to the Barrington Tops while in this area, approximately 50km west of Gloucester.

From Gloucester to Kempsey you can continue to follow the coastal mountain forests on easy 4WD tracks. There are 3 designated campsites; Maxwell's Flat and nearby two more spots on the Wilson River.

Leave Gloucester along Queen St. Turn right at the sign to Taree, then left at the next. Cross the bridge over the Avon River and turn left at the sign for Bundook. At the next Bundook sign turn left and cross the railway bridge. Cross the line onto gravel and after 15km turn left at the sign to Mt George. Cross another railway bridge and a few kilometres later cross a bridge over the Gloucester River. Turn right at the sign to Mt George another 6.5km on. (GPS 31 50' 45" S, 152 4' 40" E). After 2km you will cross the bridge over the Manning River then hit the bitumen. Turn right at the sign to Wingham and then 6km later turn left onto gravel at the sign Knodigbul Forest Rd/Oxley (GPS 31 51' 30" S, 152 9' 45" E). After 4km you will enter the Wingham Forest Management Area.

From Knodingbul Rd, you go almost entirely through state forest, leaving it briefly on the Oxley Hwy, crossing the Hastings River, re-entering at Mt Boss (Inlet Road) and continuing almost to Kempsey. Kept left on Inlet Road, passing Rollans Rd on right. Turn right at Cooks Rd/Pappindbarra and continue for about 7km until coming to a t-intersection at Pappinbarra Junction. Turn left then after a few hundred metres turn right into Pappinbarra Rd Right Arm (the field studies centre is on the left). After 2 bridges, turn right at Hasting Forest Way opposite Wilson River Reserve. After 11km turn left at Cobrabald Rec Area then stay left at the y-junction until coming to Bluff Picnic Area. Wild Bull Bluff is to the left with camping and picnic facilities. Keep right as you pass here and then cross the bridge over Wilson River. This is Bob's Ridge Road. 10km further on turn left at North Wilson Rd. After 3.4km turn right at Marowin Brook Rd. Stay straight on for 13km then turn left at Gearys Flat Road. Cross the bridge over Gearys Creek and after 18.4km turn left into Davis Rd. (GPS 31 7' 0" S, 152 37' 5" E). 2.4km later turn right at the t-intersection and cross 2 creeks. Turn left at the intersection of Clarkes Road and you'll soon hit the bitumen and the Macleay River bridge into Kempsey.

Kempsey is near beautiful South-West Rocks and the historic Trial Bay Goal. There is excellent waterfront camping on the grounds near the gaol although bookings are made about a year in advance for the peak Xmas holiday period. Scuba diving in the area is very popular with the highlight being the incredible Fish Rock Cave, which contains an underwater tunnel which you can dive through from one end to the other.

 Preparation

Fuel Supplies

Raymond Terrace, Gloucester, Kempsey

Best time to visit

All year, but avoid during rain. Can be foggy during cold weather.

Permits

No permits are required in State Forests

Supplies/Facilities

Raymond Terrace, Gloucester, Kempsey, South West Rocks

 Things to See & Do

Moderately difficult 4WD tracks, creek crossings, beautiful bush camping, forest trees and wildlife.

 Driving Notes

We need new driving notes for this trek note. See our How to Submit a Trek Note page.

 Waypoints

WaypointDescriptionTypeLongitude
WGS84		Latitude
WGS84
18124 Kempsey Populated Place152.830930ºE31.078980ºS
23156 Raymond Terrace Populated Place151.750510ºE32.759520ºS

 Related Shop Items

State Forests
1. Lower North Coast  $9.85 Add the item Lower North Coast to your Cart
Click here for full page preview
Scale 1:150,000  2nd Edition  
Beautifully presented map with excellent detail on facilities provided at National Parks and State Forests in the area in the form of a grid. One side is the complete area and includes Forests of the Barrington Tops, Bulahdelah, Taree/Manning. The other side has complete information on recreation facilities, history and more!
Full Description (inc coverage) Member Reward Product Dimensions 260 x 120 x 3mm
ItemID E160 Weight 95grams
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