Barrington Tops National Park, Protected nature reserve in New South Wales, Australia
Barrington Tops National Park is a protected nature reserve in New South Wales featuring diverse landscapes that shift from temperate rainforests in lower areas to subalpine terrain at higher elevations. The range of altitudes creates distinct ecological zones, each with its own plant and animal life.
The area between Mount Barrington, Mount Royal and the Gloucester Tops was declared a national park on 3 December 1969. In 1982 it was listed as part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage property, the southernmost of the parks in that listing, and in 2007 it joined the Australian National Heritage List. The Barrington Club, founded in 1948, had campaigned for protection, and the first areas were reserved in 1959.
The land holds deep meaning for Aboriginal groups including the Gringai, Wonnarua, Worimi, and Birpai peoples who maintain living connections to this country. Their connection to the place is visible through stories and names tied to different locations throughout the park.
Several camping grounds are spread throughout the park and provide overnight options, while the nearby towns of Gloucester and Dungog offer additional lodging choices. It helps to check trail conditions and accessibility before your visit, as some areas are steeper or more challenging to reach.
Aeroplane Hill takes its name from one of several aircraft crashes in the park; a De Havilland Mosquito wreck was found there in January 1946, and its propeller, ailerons and machine gun were later displayed at the Barrington Tops Guest House. Fog, cloud, storms and icing make the high ground hazardous to fly over.
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