Escape to the WILD

In terms of Australian nature-based getaways, Armidale and its wealth of national parks are one of the most underrated destinations. Armidale has a rich arts reputation, with New England Regional Art Museum curating 5000 works of art, including the Howard Hinton, Chandler Coventry and NERAM collections. It has a hefty social calendar of music events, its streets are graced with magnificent examples of colonial architecture, and its orchards and paddocks have long granted the New England Tablelands a well-deserved foodie reputation.

But Armidale’s other claim to fame is that four stunning and mostly untouched national parks are within an hour’s easy drive from its centre. Each offers a unique environment and appeal for adventure travellers.

Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is brimming with spectacular gorges, dramatic waterfalls and hundreds of kilometres of pristine waterways, as well as World Heritage listed Gondwana rainforest. New England National Park is also home to Gondwana rainforest and majestic vistas east toward the coast, while Cathedral Rock National Park is punctuated by giant granite boulders to clamber over and explore. Guy Fawkes River National Park, with its soaring vistas over untamed wilderness and majestic waterfalls, round out the quad.

Many tourists to the area will be familiar with Waterfall Way, a day-tripping itinerary stretching from Armidale to Coffs Harbour on the coast. Some incredible waterfalls can be viewed on this 2.5-hour express drive with short walks to lookouts. Highlights include, Dangar falls near Dorrigo National Park; the two-tiered Ebor Falls in Guy Fawkes River National Park; and the spectacular 220m single drop of the Wollomombi