5-day itinerary for Narrabri Shire.
Big Skies and Small-Town Charm.
Whether you’re cruising up the Newell Highway from the South, or you’re heading in from the east – Narrabri Shire welcomes you with open skies, rolling plains and hidden corners waiting to be discovered.
If you’re coming from the south, make sure to call into Pilliga Pottery and the Sandstone Caves. Set deep within the Pilliga Forest, Pilliga Pottery also known as ‘Barkala Farmstay’, is a creative gem that offers handmade pottery, workshops and bushwalks that hint at the quiet magic of the region – and don’t forget to taste their homemade gelato!
The Sandstone Caves showcase our rich Indigenous history and connection to the land. You’ll witness the diverse landscape in one visit that this region is known for.
If your journey brings you in from the east, swing by the Tractor Shed in Boggabri that provides a fascinating glimpse into historical agricultural machinery and the ingenuity of the area’s early settlers.
And if you’re after a taste of a classic rural pub and a stretch of the legs, call into The Railway Hotel in Baan Baa which has been serving the region since 1922.
With so many options to begin your adventure, Narrabri Shire is as flexible as it is memorable.
Day 1
Begin your day with Coogle Café, where garden seating and sunlight set the tone for a relaxed morning. Early coffee and breakfast are no strangers to this part of NSW – in a bustling industry-based town, mornings start early and energy runs high as the day gets underway.
Today’s discovery will have you exploring the northern side of the region, grab a sandwich from Relish Pantry to keep you nourished through your travels.
From here, head to Sawn Rocks, a 40-minute drive that moves from farmland into the foothills of Mount Kaputar National Park. Arrive to a towering wall of perfectly geometric rock columns – nature’s own organ pipes. This unusual phenomenon is the result of slow and even cooling of molten rock, enabling individual crystals within the rock to align perfectly with each other.
Take the short, flat walk to the viewing deck, and for a different vantage point, continue down the steps to see it from below. Adventure down the creek bed and you might even see old columns that have fallen over time.
Next, venture over to Waa Gorge. Head back down Killarney Gap Road and drive 12km towards Narrabri until you reach the turn off for Mellburra Road. Follow this for another 30km and watch for the sign marking the gorge. Access is via a road on a private property, so it’s wise to check with National Parks or the local Visitor Information Centre beforehand.
Waa Gorge is another striking reminder of Mount Kaputar’s volcanic past. Millions of years of weathering have transformed cracks and fault lines into the deeply etched gorge you see today.
Experiencing this amphitheatre of colour begins with the Mill-bullah walking track — a 500m trail that winds through open woodland before reaching the Mill-bullah waterholes. These are especially beautiful after rain, when water cascades down the rock into clear pools below.
From here, the Waa Gorge walking track continues deeper into the landscape. Mostly unmarked, it follows the creek bed as the walls rise higher around you — streaked in deep oranges and reds, opening into the gorge itself. Sturdy shoes are recommended, and it’s best explored in dry conditions when you can wander further into its hidden corners.
In the afternoon, return to town for some relaxation and reflect on a well spent first day in the region.
Head to the Crossroads Hotel for dinner, sitting out in their delightful beer garden, serving up both pub classics along with an extensive Indian menu – it’s the perfect setting after a day out in the hills.
Day 2
Start with your morning brew at T-Table, as you watch a steady flow of regulars come in starting their day.
By mid-morning, head 10km out of town to the Narrabri Fish Farm – the largest hatchery-based aquaculture farm in NSW. Spanning 250 acres and dotted with more than a hundred ponds, it’s a place where science and sustainability meet hands-on country ingenuity. Established to breed Golden Perch, Murray Cod, Yabbies and more – the farm has become an essential part of restoring river populations across the region.
Owner Rick shares the history of the aquaculture in the area while guiding you through feeding sessions. The farm is also home to whimsical recycled sculptures – a four-metre Murray Cod and a giant yabby that have both been crafted with the finest of details and care.
With the tour done, purchase some bait, and either have a crack at some catch-and-release fishing on the farm, or head to a tranquil spot on the Namoi River to fish for Yellowbelly (Golden Perch).
The Tarriaro Reserve or along the banks by the Tarriaro Bridge (around 15km east on Old Gunnedah Road) make for perfect spots.
Settle in for the afternoon with a picnic under the gums, the sound of cicadas and the slow ripple of the Namoi your only company. As the light softens and the sky turns to gold, you’ll see why locals say there’s nothing quite like a country sunset on the river — slow, unhurried and just a little bit magic.
Day 3
Today calls for a bit of organisation – the only café atop of Mount Kaputar is the BYO kind, featuring a couple of snags on the BBQ and a thermos of tea. Pack your lunch, a good hat and some extra water, because this adventure takes you high above the plains.
The drive is about 50km out of town, you’ll pass through what feels like an outer suburb of Narrabri- small acreages with views of Ningahdun, the striking volcanic dome that hints at whats to come.
As you climb, the road narrows to a single lane – take it slow and be mindful of any oncoming traffic. A few lookouts along the way, like Doug Sky Lookout and West Kaputar Rock. Each one offers a new perspective on just how vast the landscape is, stretching across the Namoi Valley toward the Pilliga and Beyond.
Lace up your boots and choose your adventure.
The Mount Kaputar Summit Walk (1.5 km return) takes you through open snow gum forest to a panoramic view that, on a clear day, reaches nearly one-tenth of New South Wales.
If you’ve got the time (and the legs for it), the Kaputar Plateau Walk is the best way to truly feel the mountain. This 8-kilometre loop traces the old pioneer route between Coryah Gap and Dawsons Spring — a path once used by early settlers long before it became a national park.
The trail shifts between mossy forest and open woodland, the air cooling with every step, until you reach Euglah Rock Lookout, where the land drops away in a sweep of sheer cliffs and distant peaks. On clear days, you can see all the way to Camels Hump and Mount Coryah. It’s a walk that rewards patience — the kind that reminds you just how old and wild this landscape really is.
Keep your eyes open for the park’s unique residents. Red-necked wallabies dart across the path, kangaroos graze the grassy flats around Dawsons Spring, and birdwatchers will find endless entertainment — from the soft chatter of treecreepers to the bright flash of turquoise parrots. After rain, you might even spot the famous Mount Kaputar pink slug, a species found nowhere else on Earth, glistening on the trunks of snow gums.
Before you descend fully back to town, take a short detour to the Deriah Aboriginal Area, about 20 minutes from Mount Kaputar National Park. This protected landscape holds deep cultural significance for the Gamilaraay People and offers an Aboriginal perspective on the history of this ancient landscape.
With all your exploring done for the day, have one last stop on the way back to town at the Black Snake Distillery for a well-earned drink. Tucked at the base of the range, this family-run distillery crafts small-batch spirits with a distinctly local twist — think native botanicals and smoky agave. Chat with the owners Stephen and Rosemary, sample a nip or two and soak in the sense of reward that only comes after a day in the high country.
Dinner tonight? Keep it easy — the local Thai restaurant in town is always a winner after a long day outdoors.
Day 4
Ease into the day with a round of golf at the Narrabri Golf Club, one of the Shire’s most beloved sporting institutions. Established in the early 1900s, the course has long been a local gathering place — wide fairways, gum-lined greens and that unmistakable country quiet between swings. Even if you’re not an avid golfer, it’s worth it just for the morning light cutting across the course and the backdrop of the Nandewar Ranges.
Afterwards, head inside to the Fairway Grill for a hearty lunch and a cold drink overlooking the greens. The meals are generous, the chatter friendly and the pace — well, purely country.
When you’re ready, drive west to the CSIRO Australia Telescope Compact Array, a striking symbol of human curiosity set against the vast plains. Built in the 1980s, these six 22-metre antennas stretch across six kilometres, working together to unlock the mysteries of deep space. Step inside the visitor centre to learn about their research — from mapping distant galaxies to tracking pulsars and hydrogen clouds — before stepping out onto the viewing deck to see the array in action.
If you’re lucky, you might catch one turning ever so slowly, following something invisible and infinite across the sky.
From here, it’s just a short drive to Yarrie Lake, a 3km-wide natural basin believed to have been formed by a meteor strike thousands of years ago. The lake’s milky hue comes from its clay base, giving the surface an almost opalescent shimmer under the sun. It’s a quiet, restorative spot — perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply sitting by the water’s edge with a book.
As the afternoon slips toward evening, watch for pelicans gliding low or spoonbills wading near the reeds. The lake is home to more than seventy bird species, and when the sky turns gold, the reflections are nothing short of magical. Stay a little while longer to see the sun dip behind the horizon.
Day 5
After a few days of adventure, this one is all about slowing down and soaking in the easy charm of the region as your journey comes to an end.
Start the morning with a gentle wander through town – maybe one last coffee at Yield, or a browse through the boutiques for a local gift or two to take home. Once you’re ready for the last bit of exploring, head south-west towards Wee Waa, the Cotton Capital of Australia.
Your first stop should be the Namoi Echo Museum, a fascinating collection of local history told through vintage machinery, photos and stories of the region’s pioneers. Step inside the recreated slab hut and blacksmith’s workshop for a glimpse into life on the plains more than a century ago. The volunteers here are full of anecdotes – they’ll happily share the tales behind the tools and the town’s early cotton days.
Just a short drive away is the Wee Waa Community Arts & Cultural Centre, a bright and creative space that showcases the region’s artistic soul. From traditional landscapes and Aboriginal artworks to contemporary ceramics and textiles, it’s a beautiful reflection of the Shire’s diversity and imagination.
Take your time here – the atmosphere is warm and welcoming!
Continue down Rose Street and call into PJ’s Country Wares, to get the full rural boutique experience. There is something in here for the whole family with quality at forefront.
By midday, make your way to House on Rose, a favourite local cafe nestled in a charming cottage garden. Grab a table outside and enjoy a long lunch in the quiet country air.
When the afternoon heat starts to settle, drive 20 minutes west to the Pilliga Bore Baths, where naturally heated artesian water bubbles up from deep underground. The water sits at a perfect 37°C – soothing, mineral-rich and famed for its restorative qualities.
Slip into the pool and let the world slow right down. Around you, the air hums with the sound of galahs and the whisper of the breeze through the eucalyptus.
As the sun sinks low and paints the horizon in pink and gold, it’s hard not to feel grateful for the simple beauty of it all — the quiet roads, the warm smiles and the stories that have unfolded along the way.
It’s the perfect end to five days in the Narrabri Shire — a place that reminds you that sometimes, the best journeys aren’t about ticking off landmarks but about finding the rhythm of a place and letting it change your pace.
