National Parks of Oberon
Oberon is on the doorstep of some of the State’s most spectacular national parks. These enormous sanctuaries of pristine bushland offer all kinds of experiences for those who enjoy the great outdoors! There is something for every adventure seeker, including camping, bushwalking, mountain biking, canyoning, abseiling, rock climbing, fishing and 4WD touring.
Abercrombie River National Park
Ideal for 4WD adventures, Abercrombie River National Park gives visitors opportunities for 4WD touring, hiking, camping, birdwatching and swimming in its 3 waterways and open forests.
You can follow fire trails, seek out swimming, canoeing and trout fishing spots, and explore the waterways. Or hunt out Licking Hole and discover an abandoned goldminer’s cottage. Relics of the 19th century gold rush – diggings, water races and sluices – can also be found along the riverbanks.
And at the end of the day, relax and refresh at any of the 4 camping sites: Bummaroo Ford, Silent Creek, The Beach and The Sink.
If you don’t have a 4WD, don’t worry. Bummaroo Ford can be accessed by 2WD and offers easy access to hikes along the Abercrombie River, canoeing, kayaking and family-friendly camping.
Abercrombie River National Park isn’t just a paradise for adventurers though, it’s also great for nature lovers. Gazetted in 1995, the park protects the largest intact patch of open forest on the NSW Central Tablelands. In the high north of the park you’ll find dense mountain gum forests, while in the south you can explore open forests of scribbly gum and stringy bark. Wallabies, kangaroos and emus can be seen year-round, and at dawn or dusk you may even spot platypuses at isolated waterholes.
Kanangra-Boyd National Park
Kanangra-Boyd National Park offers some brilliant views including the sensational Kanangra Walls. Take an easy ten minute stroll with the kids from the car park to the top of the Kanangra-Boyd Plateau and look down into the magnificent valley. Walk around to the plateau to see the fabulous walls or take a day walk to Crafts Walls, a full day walk for experienced walkers, with hard steep climbs. For the experienced walker, there is the multi-day walk along the Six Foot Track, a 42 kilometre trail from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves.
Mountain Biking
Our national parks are full of challenges if you’re a mountain biker! There are a number of great rides along the many loops in Kanangra-Boyd National Park including Mount Emperor, Mumbedah, Boyd River and Morong Falls. A little further away is the Woodford to Glenbrook Ride along the scenic fire trails in the Blue Mountains National Park, with a challenging single track finish for the thrill seekers, or try out the Mount Werong Loop, also in the Blue Mountains National Park.
If you are up for some serious riding, try a multi-day tour riding the Blackheath to Wombeyan Caves Trail in the Blue Mountains National Park, pedalling past rivers, canyons, and if you’re lucky, native wildlife, while spending peaceful nights under the stars.
Evans Crown Nature Reserve
Evans Crown Nature Reserve, a short distance from the village of Tarana, is the home of incredible towering granite rock formations, sitting amongst a wilderness of native bushland. The reserve not only has a rich Aboriginal heritage, it is a favourite for adventure seekers. The hike to the summit is an easy one, with breath taking panoramic views from the top. The large granite boulders are a natural wonder from every aspect! If you’re lucky you might even come across some of the locals which live in the reserve. Wallabies and echidnas are a favourite with the visitors.
Canyoning
Have you ever tried canyoning? Kanangra-Boyd National Park has a number of adventure canyons for the experienced canyoner, including Dione Dell, Kanangra Main and Kalang Falls canyons. The canyons in Kanangra-Boyd generally are open canyons, unlike the dark slot canyons in some other national parks. There are normally long abseils, either in or beside waterfalls and challenging walks back out of canyon. Dione Dell is the only canyon suitable for the inexperienced canyoner. If you are interested in trying this exciting sport, make sure you hire a licenced tour operator.
Yerranderie State Conservation Area
The Yerranderie State Conservation Area surrounds the fascinating, historic silver mining town of Yerranderie, 120 kilometres from Oberon. The 12,000 hectare Conservation Area is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The area is home to mobs of grey kangaroos, wombats, wallabies and native birds in the natural bushland. Visitors to the historic restored mining village can enjoy the conservation area by taking bushwalks to the Yerranderie Peak, 4WD touring, as well as camping. The Yerranderie Campground has toilets, tank water, wood barbecues and a shelter shed.
Touring
There are many places in the national parks accessible with a 2WD, but to get your heart pumping, take your 4WD out for an adventure along some more challenging routes. Reach a secret waterhole or The Sink, The Beach or Silent Creek camping areas in the Abercrombie River National Park by taking the exciting 4WD trails.
National Parks Passes
There is no need for park passes to enter the national parks around Oberon, and there are no fees for entering the parks. There is an entry fee for entering the private town of Yerranderie.
Safety in the National Parks
When visiting the national parks, it is important to keep safety in mind to ensure everyone has an enjoyable time.
Before heading off into the national park, make sure you have made proper preparations. Make sure you take adequate supplies of food, water, navigation, first aid equipment and warm, water proof clothing. Register your planned route with friends and family including your expected return time. Keep to the planned route on the map and follow walking tracks.
Bushwalkers, canyoners and mountain bikers can borrow Personal Locator Beacons which can be activated if help is needed. The beacons can be borrowed from the Oberon Visitor Information Centre.
Because the national parks have a range of different landforms, such as rivers, cliff faces and caves, please be careful when exploring the parks and never travel alone. Before heading out into the national park, make sure you visit the national park’s website to check if any parks are shut due to fire or adverse weather conditions.
For more information on visiting the national parks, visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au or Oberon Visitor Information Centre.
