Things To See and Do In Coonabarabran

Below is a list of popular activities in Coonabarabran. Click on the activities for more information.
You can also download a copy of the Attractions Guide for Coonabarabran here (207KB).


SIDING SPRING OBSERVATORY Visit the white domes of one of the world's major optical observatories used by professional astronomers to study our southern skies. Siding Spring Observatory is Australia's largest optical astronomy research facility. Take a lift up to the visitor’s gallery inside the Anglo-Australian Telescope building which allows visitors to view some of the workings of the giant 3.9-metre telescope, You can gain fascinating insight to the discoveries of outer space and learn about the wonders of the universe in the fun and interactive Exploratory Centre. A science gift shop and coffee lounge are also part of the complex. The scenic lookout, situated next to the Anglo-Australian Telescope building, offers spectacular views over the Warrumbungle National Park. read more ... WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK The Warrumbungle National Park offers magnificent scenery, abundant wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, emus and many other native fauna and flora. Opportunities exist for bushwalking, nature study, photography and rock climbing, depending on your interests and time restrictions. A map of walking tracks is available at the Park Visitor Centre. The Grand High Tops track is known as one of Australia's 'Great Walks'. The Park is situated 35 km west of Coonabarabran and 80 km from Gilgandra. Drive the bitumen access to the Park by travelling along the Timor Road from Coonabarabran. Rock climbers and pack campers must obtain a permit and keep the ranger advised of their activities. Basic camping is available in forest surrounds. Powered and unpowered sites with showers, toilets and public telephone at Camp Blackman are available. Call Warrumbungle National Park Visitor Centre for further details, phone (02) 6825 4364. Daily Park User Fees and Camping Fees apply. read more ...
WOOL STUDIO Come and join Elizabeth at her studio and watch how she turns raw fleece into a finished garment. This is a great opportunity for all ages. Also available are farm fresh home cooked jams, relish and other local crafts. Enjoy a cuppa while strolling around at your leisure and enjoying the tranquil surroundings of The Wool Studio at "Sleepy Hollow". read more ... WATTAGAN ESTATE WINERY Wattagan Estate Winery, is a rural winery producing nine wine varieties. Open for wine tastings and cellar door sales. Morning, afternoon teas and light lunches available for group bookings only. Coaches and groups are welcome - prior bookings appreciated. Catering for weddings, dinners and small functions. read more ...
AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM DIPROTODON EXHIBITION This exhibition features a skeleton and a skull of a giant Diprotodon, the largest marsupial ever to live. This specimen was found in the creek bed of Cox's Creek at Tambar Springs, east of Coonabarabran. The Australian Museum and Coonabarabran Shire Council have worked together to present this exhibition providing text and other material related to Australia's megafauna. Free guided tours are available for groups and bookings are essential. read more ... COONANDRY WINES Set among peaceful white gums, Coonandry Wines is building its reputation for fine local wines. Open for tastings and cellar door sales (weekends and public holidays), located just four kilometres north of Coonabarabran. read more ...
CRYSTAL KINGDOM Crystal Kingdom is the home of one of the world's most unique mineral collections, the "Minerals of the Warrumbungles". It is a collection of world class minerals and fossils, all the from local area. This is an exciting, colourful and educational display of some of the world's rarest and most colourful zeolite crystals. Over 500 examples of local minerals and fossils are displayed. Not only are these treasures of the earth on show, their origin and use is explained and up-to-date fact sheets are available. You are also invited to inspect one of the finest selections of gemstone jewellery, fossils and mineral specimens for sale. read more ... NEWCASTLE HATS FACTORY OUTLET Come one come all to the Hat Factory Seconds and Sample outlet in Coonabarabran. Here you will find Stylish and hardwearing workwear for all ages, washable and squashable, bowls and sporting, bucket and caps, adults and kids.This large varity of hats are made on the premises. read more ...
TIMOR VALLEY ESTATE VINEYARD Coonabarabran's newest tourist attraction. Give your tastebuds a real treat with fine wines of Timor Valley Estate Vineyard. Situated in a delightful country setting with scenic view's, enroute to Warrumbungles National Park. read more ... WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK DISCOVERY PROGRAM Tara Cave is one of the sites used traditionally by Gamilaroi people for many thousands of years. The tour led by an aboriginal ranger, gives an understanding of the first people to live in the Warrumbungles. This tour and other activities are available in school holidays or can be pre-booked for groups during the year at the Warrumbungle National Park Visitor Centre. read more ...
PILLIGA POTTERY AND BUSH CAFE Nestled on the edge of the Pilliga Forest, Pilliga Pottery is known for being the only pottery in Australia to use a specialised technique of applying bright glazes and engravings to terracotta. This method produces a stunning lead light effect, which brings the unique designs to life. Visitors are welcome at Pilliga Pottery and Bush Cafe. The extensive studio workshop, gallery shop and cafe, is situated north of Coonabarabran. The beautiful woodlands of the Pilliga surround the Pottery and inspire’ our work, which ranges from garden pottery to beautifully designed kitchenware and decorative pottery of every shape and size. Using a local source of clay, we make our own cream earthenware and traditional terracotta clays, which we form into lovely shapes on the potter's wheel and then decorate using our own unique and distinctive methods. Everything is handmade on site, and visitors are welcome to watch us working. Pottery classes, horse riding and bird watching tours available by appointment. Pilliga Pottery is situated 35 kilometres north from Coonabarabran along the Newell Highway. The last 10 kilometres from the highway to Pilliga Pottery is unsealed but an all weather road. Please call or email Pilliga Pottery for directions. read more ... SANDSTONE CAVES - PILLIGA NATURE RESERVE The Sandstone Caves are located approximately 35 kilometres north of Coonabarabran within the Pilliga Nature Reserve. The Sandstone Caves are a series of cathedral type caves that have been formed over many thousands of years through the weathering of the fragile sandstone. The Sandstone Caves are a special place for the Gamilaraay people and is a good place to experience Aboriginal Culture in the Pilliga Nature Reserve. Please respect the site and the wishes of the Aboriginal community in the care and management of the place. All plants, animals and rock features in the Pilliga Nature Reserve are protected. A 1.7 kilometre medium grade walk begins at the car park with a sign welcoming you to Gamilaraay country and takes you through a picturesque part of the forest to the impressive sandstone hills. The numerous caves along the walk range in size and colour and some contain Aboriginal rock engravings. Directions to access the Caves are required as the caves are not signposted from the Newell Highway. Call into the Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre for directions and more information. The best way to see the Sandstone Caves is with the interpretation of an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger through a Discovery Program, (minimum numbers and fees apply). Please contact the Warrumbungle National Park Visitors Centre for more information. read more ...
WOODPECKER GUN The Woodpecker Gun is a War Memorial to those who served in the Second World War. The Japanese Machine Gun, which is at the front of the Memorial Swimming Pool, adjacent to the Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre, was captured on August 3, 1945 during combat in New Guinea. There is an information board at the gun site with details of the capture and a listing of the Coonabarabran men and women who served in the World War II and the Vietnam War. read more ...