DESTINATION: Coonabarabran

Coonabarabran is an agricultural town located 455km NW of Sydney. The town started developing after an inn was built beside a crossing on the Castlereagh River. From the mid-1850s until the turn of the century, flour mills were important to the local economy. Today, timber and sheep are the other main agricultural activities.

Main Attractions

At the Coonabarabran Information Centre, visitors can see the full skeleton of a diprotodon; the largest known marsupial ever to have lived. The fossilised bones were found in the area and are believed to be approximately 35 000 years old. The Crystal Kingdom, on the Oxley Hwy, displays minerals from Australia and overseas. It is open daily from 8am to 5pm.

Nearby attractions

Only 35km west of the town is the Warrumbungle NP. The rock formations are the result of volcanic activity over 13 million years ago. The Warrumbungle NP Visitors Centre has walking trail maps and camping information and is open daily from 8.30am to 4pm. North of Coonabarabran lies an area of wild forest and scrubland known as the Pilliga Scrub. Displays of wildflowers are common here between August and December and there is a series of small caves in the sandstone ridges and outcrops. Pilliga Pottery and Bush Cafe, located in the scrub, specialises in terracotta pots and ornamental figurines. Coonabarabran is known as the 'Astronomy Capital of Australia', with the area being home to the Siding Spring Observatory, which has the largest optical telescope in Australia, and at the Skywatch Night and Day Observatory, visitors can view the stars and play Astro Mini Golf.

latest stories

No items changed yet.

Region: Explorer Country

Post Office in historic Hill End, Explorer Country

by admin

From the gold rush towns of Sofala and Hill End to remote sheep stations, Central NSW Explorer Country provides the visitor with an unforgettable bush experience - where history comes alive before your very eyes. Central NSW offers a diverse range of discovery-type experiences, a highlight of which is the famous Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. There are 14 National Parks and nature reserves to discover - including Wollemi National Park in the south to the Warrumbungles in the north - and many opportunities to explore underground at Abercrombie Caves and the Wellington Caves and Phosphate Mine. more

Local Weather

Tourist info

Newell Hwy,Ph: (02) 6842 1441 or 1800 242 881

Local Videos

editors picks