Boonoo Boonoo National Park

Deep in the New England tablelands, Boonoo Boonoo National Park is a wild slice of ancient Gondwana rainforest and granite escarpments. The park’s centrepiece is the thunderous Boonoo Boonoo Falls, which plunges 210 metres into a fern-filled gorge. This is a place for bushwalkers, birdwatchers and anyone craving a genuine off-the-beaten-track nature experience. The name ‘Boonoo Boonoo’ comes from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘big rocky place’ – and it delivers.

Highlights & What to See

• Boonoo Boonoo Falls – the park’s star attraction; a spectacular 210-metre waterfall that flows year-round. The short walk to the lookout gives you a front-row seat.
• Boonoo Boonoo River – follow the river trail for tranquil swimming holes and picnic spots amid the bush.
• Granite Outcrops & Rock Pools – scramble over the ancient granite boulders and find natural plunge pools perfect for a cool dip on a hot day.
• Birdwatching – keep an eye out for glossy black-cockatoos, satin bowerbirds and the elusive noisy pitta in the rainforest sections.
• Camping at Boonoo Boonoo – a small, basic campground near the falls gives you a true wilderness overnight experience (book ahead in peak season).

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend a half-day here – enough to walk to the falls lookout, explore the river and have a picnic. If you want to tackle the longer walking trails (like the 6 km Falls Circuit) or just soak up the serenity, allow a full day. For campers, an overnight stay lets you experience the park at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Tenterfield – historic gold-rush town with fine heritage buildings, cafes and the Tenterfield Saddler (of Peter Allen fame).
• Bald Rock National Park – home to Australia’s largest granite monolith, with a 1.5 km walk to the summit for sweeping views.
• Girraween National Park – just across the border in Queensland, known for its balancing boulders, wildflowers in spring and great walking tracks.
• New England National Park – about an hour south, offering dramatic escarpment lookouts, ancient Antarctic beech forests and the famous Point Lookout.
• Warwick – a charming Southern Downs town with the historic Warwick Clock Tower and the popular annual rodeo.

Please check official sources for current details.