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).

We have a new attraction for bus groups and school groups. Click on activity for more information. Group activities 

Out Back Packers have a new Farm Familiarisation Program which is designed for travellers and backpackers so please visit their website on www.outbackpackers.com or email them on students@outbackpackers.org for further infomation.




SIDING SPRING OBSERVATORY Siding Spring Observatory is Australia's largest optical astronomy research facility. It is located 27 kilometres west of Coonabarabran on the edge of the Warrumbungle National Park. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Exploratory Centre (charges apply) with hands on activities and information about the universe, the solar system and the kinds of activities undertaken by the astronomers at the site. Take advantage of the annual Siding Spring Open Day in October. It's your chance to explore the whole site and talk with an astronomer about the research they are undertaking. read more ... WARRUMBUNGLE OBSERVATORY The 90 minute show at the Warrumbungle Observatory includes an astronomy presentation under the stars and live video images of the Moon and planets. Learn how to navigate around the night sky, observe through up to six telescopes, including the new 20" telescope, and have the opportunity to take photos of astronomical objects with your SLR camera. Also daytime observing on weekends of the Sun, planets, and some stars. There is a mobile telescope service with up to four telescopes available for groups at local motels, or camp sites as well as any location within New South Wales. read more ...
AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM DIPROTODON EXHIBITION The Australian Museum Diprotodon Exhibition is housed at the Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre, on the Newell Highway, at the southern end of town. The exhibition displays the skeleton and skull of a Diprotodon, the largest marsupial ever to have lived. It is often likened to a giant sized wombat. The remains of the Diprotodon were found in the creek bed of Cox’s Creek near Tambar Springs in 1979. The exhibition also provides information on other mega fauna that were believed to have existed at around the same time. Although the remains are believed to be about 33 000 years old, it is thought that the Diprotodon roamed Australia somewhere between one and two million years ago and became extinct as recently as 20 000 years ago. Free guided tours of the display are available for groups with advance notice. Please call the Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre for more information. read more ... COONANDRY WINES A labour of love established in 1993, Coonandry Wines produces a select range of wines from hand picked and pruned vines. Open weekends for tastings and cellar door sales, just five minutes drive north of Coonabarabran Clocktower. To get here, simply follow the Newell/Oxley Highway north to Dandry Road. You'll find Coonandry 1.6km on your left, hidden among the towering white gums. read more ...
CRYSTAL KINGDOM Crystal Kingdom is the home of one of the world's most unique one-locality mineral collections, the "Minerals of the Warrumbungles". See the world’s rarest and most colourful Zeolite Crystals and learn about how the Coonabarabran area was once home to not one, but two volcanoes. More than 500 examples of local minerals and fossils are on display. Not only are these treasures of the earth on show, their origin and use is explained and fact sheets are available. The educational exhibition displays a range of fossils from 300 million years ago to the recent age of the Australian Megafauna. Experienced staff are available to explain the fascinating origin of the extinct local volcanoes. Jewellery lovers and collectors will love browsing through the ‘Crystal Shop’. Here you will find quality gemstone jewellery, crystals and fossils. You can also get creative with ‘Rosie’s Beads’ and design your own unique piece of jewellery. read more ... GOANNA TRACKS MOTOCROSS AND ENDURO COMPLEX Coonabarabran's newest attraction, the Goanna Tracks Motocross and Enduro Complex has adrenaline pumping and engines roaring. Enjoy all styles of Motocross, Supercross, Enduro, Endurocross, FMX, ATV's and Trials. The complex caters for all riders - from junior riders through to experienced riders. All tracks are built to National Standards. They are located between Bugaldie and Coonabarabran on Kurrajong Road. read more ...
WATTAGAN ESTATE WINERY Located only a short drive from Coonabarabran on the Oxley Highway, 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 ... 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 ...
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. read more ... WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK Warrumbungle National Park is situated 36 kilometres west of Coonabarabran and 80 kilometres from Gilgandra. Drive the bitumen access to the park by travelling along Timor Road from Coonabarabran. 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'. Rock climbers and pack campers must obtain a permit and keep the ranger advised of their activities. Basic camping is available in Park surrounds. Powered and unpowered sites with showers, toilets and public telephone at Camp Blackman are available. Call Warrumbungle National Park Visitor Centre for further detail. 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 ... WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK - BREADKNIFE AND GRAND HIGH TOPS WALK Bring a packed lunch for this one - you'll have earned it and the extraordinary view from the Grand High Tops, after following the wildflower-mottled banks of Spirey Creek, before climbing to the base of The Breadknife. You'll have opportunity to get close to this sliver of rock as you follow the narrow spur created by erosion to surrounding rock formations over millions of years. Type of forest: Dry eucalypt forests and grassy woodlands. Walking distance: 12.5 kilometres. Time: Allow five hours. Difficulty: There are some steep inclines to tackle on this walk; average fitness levels are recommended. How to get there: Warrumbungle National Park is near Coonabarabran, a six-hour drive from Sydney. This loop walk starts and ends at Pincham car park. read more ...
WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK DISCOVERY PROGRAM Tara Cave in Warrumbungle National Park is one of the sites used traditionally by Gamilaraay people for many thousands of years. The tour gives you an understanding of the first people to live in the Warrumbungles. Please note Tara Cave is not accessible to the public without a Discovery Ranger. This tour and other activities, including tours through Mount Kaputar, the Pilliga Forest and Siding Spring Observatory are available in school holidays. Other Discovery Activities include: Night Secrets - look for owls, possums and other night creatures Underwater Mini-beasts - go dip-netting and discover the vast variety of life in the creeks and rivers Sunset Extravaganza - experience the beauty of the sun setting over the spectacular Warrumbungle range Morning Tea with the Birds - pick up all the tips on bird watching. Please contact the Warrumbungle National Park Visitor Centre for more information. read more ... WORLDS LARGEST VIRTUAL SOLAR SYSTEM DRIVE Launch into Coonabarabran, the Astronomy Capital of Australia, and experience New South Wales newest self drive touring route - 'The World's Largest Virtual Solar System Drive! Start at the regional towns of Tamworth, Dubbo, Gulgong, Moree and Merriwa and hurtle your way through space from Pluto towards the huge eight storey high Anglo-Australian Telescope dome at Siding Spring Observatory which represents the sun and central point of the solar system model. The colourful three-dimensional planets on the billboards are scaled in size relative to the huge observatory dome and the location of the billboards are scaled in distance, just as you'd find the planets in outer space - only 38 million times smaller! Experience this truly interactive educational experience leading you to the astronomy headquarters of Australia and one of the country’s largest centre for optical astronomy research and learn, fascinating facts about the universe along the way. read more ...