Holidaying Among Marvels Of Nature
Newcastle Herald
Friday October 29, 2004
THE Hunter Region's national parks and state forests offer a range of holiday destinations for campers.
Popular sites identified by Cathy Savage and Craig Lewis in their Camping in Australia book include Polblue Swamp and Frying Pan Creek in the Barrington Tops National Park, Manning River in Woko National Park, and The Pines in the Watagan Mountains State Forest.These areas are generally suitable for caravans, camper trailers or camping beside a vehicle.Facilities at the campsites include pit toilets, picnic tables and barbecues.It is usually a good idea for campers to pack a fuel stove and drinking water.Polblue Swamp camping ground is on the Barrington Tops Forest Road, west of Gloucester. It is the starting point for bushwalks such as the Polblue Swamp track, an easy two-kilometre trail.Frying Pan Creek is on the banks of the Telegherry River, along Main Creek and Frying Pan roads, 25 kilometres from Dungog. Walking and mountain bike trails are among its recreational pursuits.Manning River is another waterside retreat, located off Curricabark Road.The Pines camping area has historical significance, being positioned under large slash pine trees that are remnants of trial plantings of different species in the 1920s and 1930s. There is access to the Wildflower, Abbotts and Pines walking trails. The Pines trail leads to a good summer swimming hole.
© 2004 Newcastle Herald
