Picx Hill

Picx Hill rises gently from the New England tablelands, a quiet pocket of the Northern Rivers that feels a world away from the coast. This is working farmland and remnant bushland, where the air smells of eucalyptus and damp earth, and the views stretch for kilometres over patchwork paddocks and distant ranges. It’s a place for slow exploration – a spot to stretch your legs on a country drive, learn a little about local rural life, and soak up the kind of big-sky scenery that makes you want to pull over and just breathe.

Highlights & What to See

• Picx Hill Lookout – A short, easy walk from a small car park leads to a panoramic viewpoint over the valley. On clear days you can see the Great Dividing Range and, on the horizon, the blue smudge of the coast. Best in the late afternoon when the light turns golden.
• Historic shearing shed – Just off the main road, this corrugated-iron relic dates from the early 1900s and offers a glimpse into the region’s wool-growing past. It’s not a formal attraction – just a beautiful, weathered structure standing in a paddock.
• Picx Hill Nature Walk – A 2 km loop through dry sclerophyll forest, where you might spot wallabies, echidnas, and a chorus of bellbirds. The track is well marked but uneven in places; sturdy shoes are a good idea.
• Local farm gates – Keep an eye out for honesty-box stalls selling seasonal fruit, free-range eggs, and homemade jams. It’s a lovely way to taste the region’s produce and chat with locals.

Suggested Time to Spend

Picx Hill is a stopover, not a destination. Plan for 1–2 hours if you want to do the lookout walk and nature trail, or half a day if you’re combining it with a picnic and a slow amble through the back roads. It works perfectly as a lunch break on a self-drive loop from Glen Innes or Tenterfield – arrive, stretch your legs, and move on.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Glen Innes – 30 minutes north, with its Australian Standing Stones, Celtic heritage, and excellent antique shops.
• Tenterfield – 45 minutes east, a historic railway town with a grand main street and the Tenterfield Saddler (of Peter Allen fame).
• Gibraltar Range National Park – An hour south, offering dramatic granite outcrops, rainforest walks, and the stunning Dandahra Falls.
• Ebor Falls – 50 minutes southeast, a dramatic two-tiered waterfall on the Waterfall Way that’s a must for photographers.
• Guy Fawkes River National Park – 40 minutes west, a rugged wilderness of deep gorges and wild rivers, ideal for experienced bushwalkers.

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