scone.com.auParks and recreation areas
The world heritage listed Barrington Tops National Park, 80km east of Scone, is a popular destination for locals and visitors, with stunning camping and picnic spots as well as a range of hiking trails. The Barrington Tops has sub-alpine scenery and vegetation, rainforests, spectacular lookouts and 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. There are plenty of recreational activities including car and 4WD touring, camping, walking, mountain biking and fishing.
Barrington Tops State Forest, north of Barrington Tops National Park, has amazing scenery and wildlife, along with camping areas suited to tents and camper trailers. Recreational activities include 4WD touring, walking, mountain biking, horse riding and fishing.
Stewarts Brook State Forest is located on the western boundary of Barrington Tops National Park, 70km from Scone. The Gologolies camping area, accessible by 4WD or AWD, is the ideal bush camping spot. Visitors can enjoy the magnificent views from the Moonan Outlook. Recreational activities include 4WD touring and bush walking.
Towarri National Park and Wingen Maid Nature Reserve are only a 30 minute drive from Scone. The park is home to the popular Washpools camping and picnic spot on the bank of the Middle Brook. The area has no allocate walking trails however keen walkers will enjoy the rugged landscape of the Liverpool ranges. Towarri National Park is a goldmine for bird watchers with Yellow-Tufted Honeyeaters, Glossy Black Cockatoos and Kingfishers.
Lake Glenbawn State Park is a popular recreational spot for watersports, as well as camping among the picturesque surroundings. It is also a great fishing location and home to Bass, Catfish, Silver and Golden Perch and Murray Cod.
Burning Mountain Nature Reserve, 20km north of Scone, is home to a 6000 year old underground naturally burning coal seam. There is a 4.5km walk from the car park to the viewing platform where the coal seam and exhaust vents can be seen. The first park of the walk is steep, but walkers are rewarded with the views at the peak.