VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE RED RANGE

Some time before 1874, Aneurin Heriot sold Ed Culnane allotments numbers nine and ten, section 32 in the Morven Township, for just 20 pounds. This was the land on which the Round Hill Hotel now stands. It was first named the Bridge Hotel and the year that the Hotel first started trading is not known. The year 1868 has been mentioned but not verified. The name was changed to Round Hill Hotel around 1959 after it left the hands of the O'Donoghue family. On visiting the Hotel today, you can view interesting old photographs and information relating to the history of Morven as well as the original Cobb and Co stables. Enjoy an ice cold beverage or something from the bistro menu. Enjoy regular live music and great food specials regularly. See the website for what's on.

Experience the Cobb and Co way, take an easier trip back in time when the coach rolled over flat terrain and tranquil creeks. Cobb & Co 'Changing Stations' were established by 1877. The route for the run was Wagga Wagga, Cookardinia, Morven, Gerogery and Albury, via Magloplah. Changing stations were set up where the horses could be changed and passengers could take a break. The Cobb and Co Stables at Morven are situated beside the historic Round Hill Hotel, dating back to the 1850s when the hotel was a Cobb and Co Station. The decline of Cobb and Co came with the arrival of the Railway line through nearby Culcairn, and today the stables stand as a reminder of times gone past.

Nestled amongst the magnificent mountain range of northern NSW lies a tranquil riverside setting. With loads of natural beauty and historic significance, Mann River Nature Reserve is perched on the eastern edge of the New England Tablelands, near Glen Innes. With superb scenic views across The Great Dividing Range, it's ideal for camping or stopping for a picnic on ... Visit website for more info

1km (one way) - 1 hour - Medium difficulty For a short, easy walk in Gibraltar Range National Park that all the family will enjoy, follow Lyrebird Falls walking track through open forest to the edge of the steep-sided valley cut by Boundary Creek. The forest, dominated by tall eucalypts, is also home to grass trees, tree ferns and wattles. The scenic lookout at the end of the ... Visit website for more info

Coachwood picnic area is a scenic retreat in a rainforest clearing near the Coombadjha creek. Pack a picnic hamper and settle in with the sounds of the forest as your lunchtime soundtrack. When the gourmet goodies have been devoured, why not savour the sensory treats of the Coombadjha nature stroll, which starts at the picnic area? This short walk through World Heritage-listed rainforest will lead you to a viewing platform and a shallow pool perfect for a splash on a warm day. There’s also an information display at the picnic area and explanatory signs along the walking track offering insights into this pristine world....

Granite picnic area is a lovely lunch spot just a stone’s throw from the stunning views of Granite lookout. Located just 300 metres from the Gwydir Highway off Coachwood Drive, it makes for an enjoyable stop-off if you’re passing by, or an impressive launching pad for your exploration of Washpool National Park. With picnic tables and a well-equipped barbecue shelter, settle in for an ambient lunch in a pleasant, all-weather setting among the eucalypt trees. After your barbecue, why not enjoy an easy amble along the 800 metre Granite lookout walk through dry open forest and rocky granite outcrops to the lookout, where you’ll be rewarded with picturesque views across the south-eastern forests of this spectacular World Heritage-listed landscape. On a clear day you can see all the way to Wollumbin-Mount Warning....

Morven sits beside Billabong Creek. The creek provides a vegetated wildlife corridor and pleasant outlook from the historic Round Hill Hotel, dating back to the 1850’s as a Cobb and Co Station (before the crossing of Billabong Creek). The decline of Cobb and Co came with the arrival of the railway line through Culcairn. The original Bridge Hotel was built around 1868 and was purchased by John O’Donoghue in 1897, remaining in that family until 1959. The name was changed to the ‘Round Hill Hotel’ about this time. The hotel is still licensed and fully operational. The Morven Church (St Peter’s) was opened in 1874 and for 14 years was the only church in the district, offering both Anglican and Presbyterian services. St Peters has recently been restored by the Morven Community Committee and is still in the possession of the Anglican Church, making it the oldest in the Diocese of the Riverina. Morven Public School was built in 1906, with a new building being constructed in 1928 to accommodate 52 pupils. The school closed in 1967 at which time there were only nine pupils....

Immerse yourself in the timeless wonder of the warm temperate forests of Washpool National Park, near Glen Innes. This moderately challenging loop offers the rare opportunity to experience the ancient stands of World Heritage Gondwana Rainforest. Leading from Coombadjha campground, it's an ideal hike for experienced walkers who enjoy birdwatching and wildlife spotting in pristine wilderness. Winding through gentle hills, this clearly sign posted walking track leads to one of the largest stands of coachwood forest in NSW. You’ll see picturesque waterfalls and spectacular views, with a chance to spot rainforest locals such as satin bower birds and lyrebirds. Summit Creek is a great spot for a break and the beautiful surrounds make for some superb nature photography. Picnic along the way or head back for a barbecue lunch at the campground, where you might be tempted to camp overnight....

Gibraltar Range National Park offers scenic natural sites and a wide range of attractions, from picnic spots to multi-day hikes. Gibraltar Range has so many plants and animals descended from the dinosaur age, that it’s part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, a series of parks and reserves stretching from Barrington Tops to southern Queensland. That’s only the start of what makes this a remarkable place. Strike out on a mountain biking track past huge granite outcroppings that oversee ancient rainforest. Swim in creeks surrounded by signs of early colonial history. Camp in fragrant woodlands and listen to giant barred frogs during their nightly chorus. Take a morning walk for the waratahs and Christmas bells, or stock the backpack and embark on a rugged adventure for many days. There are sweeping lookouts and swooping yellow-bellied gliders, a comfortable cottage for hire and plenty of picnic spots to settle down with the family on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Gibraltar Range National Park is a rarity; historic and appealing to a modern audience, a treasure for heritage buffs, naturalists, adventure junkies, and people just looking for a quiet place to appreciate the wonders of the state....

Forest walking track is a short, easy, and ever-changing track. Begin by hiking through open dry eucalypt forest before being plunged into rainforest, and then emerging onto an open granite outcrop called Lyrebird Rock. So much variation in such a short distance. Plants and animals that live on and around the park’s granite outcrops, such as Lyrebird Rock, are more protected from bushfire than the creatures that inhabit the forests. However, they are exposed, day and night, to the elements: rain, wind, sun, and even snow sometimes over winter. Forest walking track is only a short distance from Mulligans Hut, where resident wallabies graze, and Little Dandahra Creek, which is a great place for a swim on a hot day – especially after a walk....

Little Dandahra Creek walking track is the ideal way to get acquainted with the landscape of Gibraltar Range National Park. This superb walking track leads you past enormous granite outcrops, through montane heathlands and alongside pristine waterways. Take a break and soak in the cool running waters and natural pools of Little Dandahra Creek, where you’ll feel dwarfed by the magnificent rocky landscape. Keep your binoculars close for birdwatching, there are many birds that feed and breed in the area. This track is great for those looking to go hiking for the first time as it is quite an easy day’s trek. Mulligans campground awaits you at the other end where you can set up a tent and put the billy on to boil....

Within the mountainous Northern Tablelands, high above Clarence River Valley, a very special track links Gibraltar Range and Washpool National Parks. Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage walk passes through dramatic and ever-changing natural environments with numerous side track options for further exploration. Dry eucalypt forests, set amidst ridges and granite tors, are surrounded by sub-alpine swamp. Lush rainforests hold the largest tract of coachwood trees in the world. Waterfalls plummet from a lacework of streams and wild rivers. In the 1880s, tin mining took place around Grassy Creek and remains of an ore crusher can still be seen along the eastern side of this waterway. O’Hara’s Rock marks the spot where, in 1873, a grazier by that name camped and tried to figure out a faster stock route over Gibraltar Range. Wades Mill, at Boundary Falls campground, dates back to historic logging days. You can add any or all of the 13 adjoining walks and routes along the way and increase your walking adventure to up to 100 kilometres....

Whether you’re picnicking, camping or just passing by, the Coombadjha nature stroll is a Washpool National Park must-do. From Coachwood Picnic Area, the 400 metre bitumen track takes you through World Heritage listed Rainforest to a viewing platform on the pretty Coombadjha Creek. Return the same way or continuing along the loop walk on a delightful journey along the banks of the pretty Coombadjha creek and through a variety of forest types. You’ll find track posts along the easy walk offering insights on the flora and fauna of this special place. The creek viewing platform is a great spot to pause and refresh, while the fern-fringed, shallow Coachwood pool below is an inviting opportunity to cool off with a swim....

Situated right on the doorstep of iconic Gibraltar Range and Washpool World Heritage Area, Dandahra picnic area is a perfect pit stop on a driving tour of NSW North Coast. Located halfway between Glen Innes and Grafton, right next to Gwydir Highway, it’s also a convenient spot for nature-lovers and bushwalkers keen to explore the lush rainforests protected in this region. Unpack a picnic at the picnic tables, or spark up a barbecue and enjoy a leisurely lunch in this scenic bushland setting. There’s lovely scenic views and interesting local native wildlife to watch while you eat. If you’re keen to step out, try Little Dandahra Creek walking track. If you like birdwatching, keep an eye out for the glossy black cockatoos that call this area home. You might even hear the call of the endangered giant barred frog....

A beautiful riverside spot for picnicking and camping, Mann River Nature Reserve offers scenic views, swimming and fishing near Glen Innes. Nestled amongst the magnificent mountain range of northern NSW lies a tranquil riverside setting. With loads of natural beauty and historic significance, Mann River Nature Reserve is perched on the eastern edge of the New England Tablelands, near Glen Innes. With superb scenic views across The Great Dividing Range, it’s ideal for camping or stopping for a picnic on a car tour. Nature lovers will revel in the abundant wildlife, crystal clear waters and clear mountain air. Historically, the area would have been a popular gathering place for local Aboriginal groups. Ngarabul People from the northern tablelands as well as the coastal Gunbaynggir would have made the most of the abundant wildlife and natural beauty. Once popular with bushrangers, it’s now filled with self-sufficient campers who enjoy swimming and rock-hopping along the majestic Mann River. If you’re after something more leisurely, make like a lizard and sun yourself on the smooth boulders along the river’s edge....