Boonoo Boonoo National Park

Deep in the New England region of New South Wales, Boonoo Boonoo National Park is a wild and rugged landscape of ancient granite outcrops, cascading waterfalls and dense dry rainforest. It's a place where you can truly escape the crowds and immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Australian bush. The park's name comes from the local Aboriginal word for 'big rocks', and you'll find plenty of those here, along with a sense of solitude that's increasingly rare.

Highlights & What to See

• Boonoo Boonoo Falls – The park's showstopper, this 210-metre waterfall plunges into a deep pool, especially impressive after rain. A short walk leads to several lookout points.
• Granite outcrops and balancing rocks – The park is famous for its enormous granite tors and precariously balanced boulders, sculpted by millions of years of erosion.
• Boonoo Boonoo River – Follow the river through pockets of dry rainforest, where you might spot wallabies, echidnas and a rich variety of birdlife.
• Bushwalking trails – From the easy Falls Walk (1.2 km return) to the more challenging Granite Tors Walk (6 km return), there are walks for every fitness level.
• Picnicking by the river – Several picnic areas with barbecues make for a perfect lunch spot amid the sounds of flowing water and birdsong.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors come for a half-day trip, allowing 2–3 hours to do the main waterfall walk and explore a few lookouts. If you're keen on hiking the longer Granite Tors Walk or simply want to soak up the serenity, plan for a full day. The park is also a fantastic stopover on a self-drive itinerary between Sydney and Brisbane, or as a day trip from Tenterfield or Glen Innes.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Tenterfield – A historic town known as the 'birthplace of Australian federation', with charming heritage buildings and the Tenterfield Saddler.
• Girraween National Park – Just across the Queensland border, this park boasts even more dramatic granite landscapes, wildflowers and the Balancing Rock.
• Glen Innes – Famous for its Australian Standing Stones, a Celtic monument, and the annual Australian Celtic Festival.
• New England National Park – A World Heritage-listed wilderness with ancient rainforests, lyrebirds and stunning escarpment views.
• Warrabah National Park – A remote park along the Namoi River, perfect for canoeing, fishing and spotting platypuses.

Please check official sources for current details.