National Parks

Sitting high in the pristine New England Tablelands, Tenterfield Shire provides some of the most beautiful and unique national parks in New South Wales.

National Parks

A natural playground for visitors, the rugged mountainous terrain presents spectacular scenic views across northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Marvel at curious granite outcrops and rock formations that form part of this unique landscape, none as spectacular as Bald Rock, the largest granite monolith in the southern hemisphere.

Walk, hike, or ride through the forests and woodlands of the region’s many national parks and reserves – Bald RockBoonoo BoonooTorringtonTooloomKoreelah and Basket Swamp – all offering their own distinctive experiences and sights to behold. Neighbouring national parks, Girraween and Sundown, are just over the border in Queensland, creating a continuous path of green space to explore. 

With unparalleled views, undulating and ever-changing terrains, grounding nature walks, and rock formations that will transport you back to the Triassic period, Bald Rock National Park is a natural wonder like no other.

Located 30km from Tenterfield on the New South Wales and Queensland border, Bald Rock National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife (including the rare spotted tailed quoll), native plants and wildflowers. Its most famous resident, however, is the mighty Bald Rock, which rises above the horizon at almost 1300 metres above sea level.

As the largest granite monolith in the Southern Hemisphere, Bald Rock towers 260m above the surrounding bushland, providing a 750m long by 500m wide space to explore. Here, climbers will feel like they’re on top of the world!

Wildflowers and wattle trees bloom from July and the vibrant colours of the rock lilies (appearing late Spring), boronia and banksia are a sight to behold against the deep greens of the native trees and greys and oranges of Bald Rock.

While away the hours at the picnic spot at the base of the rock, where you can enjoy a BBQ, a bite to eat, and a quiet moment to centre yourself and take in the surrounds. There are plenty of shaded spots to escape the summer sun and bush camping is available for those who simply cannot just spend one day in this magical location.

For many thousands of years Bald Rock served as neutral ground for the three Aboriginal nations of the region: the Jukembal, Bundjalung and Kamilaroi. Bald Rock was considered a boundary by the nations, so meetings and trade could occur on the site without each nation having to journey through the other territories.

There is no shortage of trails, creeks, rivers, waterholes, waterfalls and rockpools to discover or birds and wildlife to meet. Let Tenterfield reconnect you to Mother Nature in a way no other place can.