Barrington Tops National Park

Barrington Tops rises to around 1,580 metres on a basalt plateau north of the Hunter Valley, high enough to hold snow in winter and cold enough to support Antarctic beech forest, sub-alpine swamps and snow gums that belong more to Tasmania than to subtropical New South Wales. The park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area, and the change from subtropical rainforest in the gorges to sub-alpine woodland on top happens over a short distance. Walking tracks cross the plateau, the Williams and Barrington rivers hold trout, and Jerusalem Creek and Gloucester Falls are among the accessible short walks. Weather changes quickly and severely at altitude.

What you actually see

• The Antarctic beech - ancient Gondwanan forest on the high plateau.
• The sub-alpine swamps - open snow-gum country and wetlands on top.
• The rainforest gorges - subtropical forest on the lower slopes.
• The rivers - trout streams and swimming holes on the park's edges.

When to go

October to May for the plateau; winter brings snow, ice and road closures on the top, though the lower valleys stay accessible. Summer is mild at altitude while the Hunter below bakes. Weather can turn severe with little warning.

Honest expectations

Plateau roads are unsealed, rough and often require high clearance or four-wheel drive in wet weather. There is no phone coverage. People have died of exposure here after being caught out by the temperature difference from the valleys, which can exceed fifteen degrees.

Nearby

Gloucester lies east; Dungog and the Hunter Valley are south.