7 Spectacular Issues to do in Coonabarabran, NSW…

After spending a number of days exploring Coonamble and The Pilliga, we headed east to Coonabarabran – the gateway to the Warrumbungle Mountains.

Coonabarabran in Central New South Wales is a beautiful little city. We had pushed by means of it numerous occasions during the last 20 years however by no means had the chance to remain.

As we found, Coonabarabran is the best spot to base your self if you wish to perform a little ‘star gazing’ or discover the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park.

Issues to do in Coonabarabran

Only a brief one and a half hour drive from Dubbo, alongside the Newell Freeway, Coonabarabran is a city whose historical past dates again to the mid-1800s.

To the north is the huge Pilliga State Forest and to the west is the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park. Generally known as The Astronomy Capital of Australia, it’s not laborious to see why whenever you check out the night time sky.

1. Customer Data Centre and Diprotodon Exhibition

Each time we go to a brand new space for the primary time, we prefer to name into the native Customer Data Centre. These centres are normally staffed by locals. Some are even volunteers, so you realize they’re each passionate and educated about their native space.

After gathering up some data on the Coonabarabran space, we headed into the Australian Museum Diprotodon Exhibition which is housed within the rear of the Centre. The Diprotodon was an enormous marsupial, just a little like a big wombat that wandered the Earth over 30,000 years in the past. An nearly full Diprotodon skeleton was discovered close to Coonabarabran in 1979.

The Diprotodon was an enormous marsupial, just a little like a big wombat that wandered the Earth over 30,000 years in the past. An nearly full Diprotodon skeleton was discovered close to Coonabarabran in 1979.

The Centre additionally homes the Aboriginal Lands Council Maintaining Place. This show reveals the connection of the native Aboriginal folks – the Gamilaroi folks – to the land. I used to be fascinated with the depiction of a few of their Dreamtime tales. I particularly loved the story of Yowie – the Spirit of Loss of life and the Southern Cross.

I used to be fascinated with the depiction of a few of their Dreamtime tales. I particularly loved the story of Yowie – the Spirit of Loss of life and the Southern Cross.

2. Siding Spring Observatory

You can’t go to Coonabarabran with out taking a drive out to Siding Spring Observatory. Situated on Mt Woorut, slightly below 30

Situated on Mt Woorut, slightly below 30 kilometres from city, there are 16 analysis devices at Siding Spring. This consists of the Anglo Australian Telescope, which is the biggest optical telescope in Australia. Siding Spring was chosen as the proper spot for radio astronomy within the 1960s due to the darkish skies and lack of turbulence within the space.

Siding Spring was chosen as the proper spot for radio astronomy within the 1960s due to the darkish skies and lack of turbulence within the space.

As Siding Spring is an operational analysis facility, there are areas which have restricted entry to the general public. However you possibly can climb all the way in which to the highest viewing platform the place you’ll be able to observe the enormous telescope.

It’s 4 flights up or as we found after we reached the highest – you possibly can take the raise! It’s a large piece of kit and you may’t assist however marvel on the expertise that enables us to look deep into outer house.

Within the Exploratory Centre, you possibly can be taught extra on the hands-on exhibition. Entry is simply $13.50 per household. There’s additionally a espresso store and small reward store as nicely. Exterior you can see some picnic tables that have spectacular views of the Warrumbungles.

Siding Spring is open to the general public Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Entry is free.

three. Warrumbungle Observatory

As Siding Spring is a analysis facility, it isn’t open to the general public at night time time. Fortunately there are a selection of personal observatories within the space the place you possibly can go for an evening time viewing. We selected the Warrumbungle Observatory.

Throughout the night we had the chance to view the night time sky by means of three totally different sized telescopes. Our information Marcus was extraordinarily educated and was capable of reply the numerous questions that the group had.

We have been capable of observe the celebs of the Southern Cross and we learnt that the brightest star within the Southern Cross is named Alpha Crucis. We additionally learnt that Sirius is the brightest star within the sky and that it’s a blue tremendous star.

For many who personal a Nikon or Canon DSLR digital camera, these might be connected to the big telescope for the prospect to seize a shot of the night time sky. As we don’t personal a kind of cameras, we tried our luck with our cellphone and we have been capable of seize a shot of the moon which was nearly full on the time of our go to.

Warrumbungle Observatory is nice worth at simply $24.00 for a 90 minute session (which truly went for nearer to 2 hours). If attainable, choose an evening when the moon just isn’t near full as you possibly can see stars and different objects extra clearly. It’s advisable to put on very heat clothes if you’re visiting in the course of the cooler months.

four. Crystal Kingdom Mineral Museum

If you need to be taught extra concerning the geology of the Warrumbungles then a go to to Crystal Kingdom is a should. This fascinating show showcases some uncommon minerals and fossils discovered within the Warrumbungle Vary.

The Vary consists of two volcanos – the Garrawilla Volcano and the Warrumbungle Volcano. Each have been extinct for a lot of tens of millions of years. The Garrawilla space produced the uncommon and vibrant Zeolite crystals on show, while the Warrumbungle volcano produced primarily fossilized specimens.

This assortment is privately owned by Wolfgang and Nola Bredereck and has been accrued over the previous 50 years. Guided excursions can be found for a small charge, in any other case, entry is free.

5. Warrumbungle Nationwide Park

One phrase can be utilized to sum up the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park at Coonabarabran -SPECTACULAR!

From the second we caught our first glimpse of the rugged peaks we knew we had discovered a particular place.

The Warrumbungle Nationwide Park covers an space of greater than 20,000 hectares. The park was positioned on the Nationwide Heritage Listing in 2007 for it’s cultural and geological values.

Nonetheless recovering from a devastating bushfire in 2013, lots of the park’s options are actually clearly seen. Though some areas of the park stay closed and a few infrastructure continues to be to be rebuilt, you’ll not be dissatisfied with what is accessible.

A go to to the short-term Guests Centre will get you began with a map and recommendation on strolling tracks and tenting areas. The primary tenting space is named Camp Blackman and has a spread of caravan and camp websites obtainable. There are additionally picnic areas and bathrooms obtainable.

Wambelong Nature Monitor

For our first stroll, we selected the Wambelong Nature Monitor. This monitor is round 1.1 kilometres in size and begins and finishes within the Canyon Picnic Space. The primary part of this monitor is usually stage with a number of stairs and a slight incline.

You’ll cross the creek twice earlier than climbing up a lot of steep stairs to a stage rocky outcrop. From right here you might be afforded probably the most wonderful views of the entire space, together with the Siding Spring Observatory. On this part of the monitor, you will have to be careful for yellow reflective markers to information your manner again to the underside.

This stroll is classed as being of average issue and can take you a minimum of 45 minutes to finish. It’s advisable to put on sturdy strolling footwear and carry water with you.

It doesn’t matter what time of day you do that stroll you can be assured of seeing loads of wildlife, together with kangaroos, emus, and goats!

Burbie Canyon Stroll

For our second stroll, I selected the Burbie Canyon stroll. Though it is a longer stroll, at simply over two kilometres return, it’s primarily flat so it’s much less strenuous than Wambelong. The stroll winds its manner by means of scrubland after which alongside what can be a flowing creek when the world receives rainfall.

Tall granite cliffs dominate the alternative facet of the creek to the strolling monitor. The stroll was shady and funky and frequent fowl songs could possibly be heard. The stroll was very peaceable and I couldn’t assist however really feel relaxed and a world away from civilization!

In Abstract

There are such a lot of issues to do in Coonabarabran, and it’s such a fairly little city. It had a stunning really feel to it and I may have stayed for longer.

As for the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park, we actually solely skimmed the floor of what’s an enormous space. There have been one other 10 strolling/climbing tracks that we may have tackled with locations to camp alongside the way in which.

In case you are in search of an excellent place for a household vacation with heaps to see and do for everybody, then I believe you’ll love Coonabarabran and the Warrumbungles.

Due to our sponsor Dubbo Regional Council for making this publish attainable!

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7 Spectacular Issues to do in Coonabarabran, NSW
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