DAY TRIPPIN'

If the assessment of what makes a parcel of land a national park has anything to do with geological history, pretty flora, semi-cuddly fauna, and a record of human habitation going back tens of thousands of years, Barrington Tops National Park takes the cake. That it’s an extinct volcano makes it even more attractive.

The 74,512-hectare park in the hinterland of the New South Wales Barrington Coast is contained within a jagged rectangle bounded by Scone, Muswellbrook, Dungog and Gloucester. Scone is the racehorse breeding capital of the world, Muswellbrook the coal breeding capital. Gloucester is a pleasant little town where you’ll find food, excellent coffee at Roadies Café, and rows of Harley Davidsons parked outside the pub on Sundays when retired accountants gather like lyre birds and twitter about the All Ords.

Down the road is a quiet picnic spot in the lovely Gloucester District Park.