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When we visited the Tenterfield national parks, we couldn’t believe how wild and untouched this part of New South Wales still feels. Just over the border from Queensland, Tenterfield is surrounded by granite country – a landscape of giant boulders, waterfalls and peaceful forest walks.
This article is a summary of our three-day itinerary exploring the best national parks near Tenterfield – from the granite domes of Bald Rock to the waterfalls of Boonoo Boonoo and the remote tracks of Basket Swamp. If you’re planning a trip to this scenic region, this itinerary will help you make the most of your time outdoors.
Disclaimer: The hiking time and difficulty are based on our experience. We are experienced hikers with a good level of fitness, used to hiking long distances and scrambling. But we also enjoy pausing to admire the views, check for wildlife and take photos. We possess good navigation skills and use a Garmin watch with a GPS navigation map. Always check the park alerts and notes, as trail conditions change over time, which may affect the hike’s level of difficulty.
Day 1 – Bald Rock National Park
We started our trip at Bald Rock National Park, the most famous of the Tenterfield national parks and home to the largest exposed granite rock in Australia.
Morning: Bald Rock Summit and Bungoona Walk (5 km, ~2 hours)
We hiked the Bald Rock Summit Walk first thing in the morning before it got too warm. It’s short but steep – my calves were quickly burning – and it’s so rewarding to watch the views open up as you climb higher. The granite provides excellent grip, so even though you’re walking on a big slab of rock, it doesn’t feel exposed or unsafe. Take your time at the top; the view is splendid.
We came back down via the Bungoona Walk, which is longer but much easier on the knees and takes you through the forest and surprising granite formations. It’s a great way to experience two completely different sides of Bald Rock.
The picnic area at the base is perfect for lunch, with tables surrounded by trees and the sound of birds everywhere.
Afternoon: Bookookoorara Lookout (15 km, ~4 hours)
After lunch, we walked to the Bookookoorara Lookout, which starts from the same area. We followed the Border Walk fire trail through the forest – easy to follow but a bit repetitive until you reach the lookout. We spotted a few wallabies, birds, a skink and, surprisingly, a wild pig with babies (not a good sign for the park’s ecosystem). The Bookookoorara Trail was ideal to come back as it’s shorter, and we always like making a loop.
The lookout itself was stunning. We scrambled up the last few rocks to a viewpoint covered in rock orchids, with wide views over the forest and Bald Rock rising above the trees. It’s a long walk but the final panorama made it worthwhile. However, if I were to do it again, I’d take the shortest way possible or ride a mountain bike!
Day 2 – Wildlife and Little Bald Rock
After a big day of walking, we wanted something a little more relaxed.
Morning: Quoll Headquarters
We joined a private tour at Quoll Headquarters, a wildlife conservation reserve nestled between all the national parks near Tenterfield. It was a great break from hiking but still completely connected with nature. We learned a lot about local wildlife and conservation efforts, saw some adorable orphaned wallabies and wallaroos, and explored the reserve by buggy. Booking is essential and 100% of the donations go to supporting conservation work. I’ve written a full article about our visit, and I highly recommend adding this stop to your itinerary – it gave us a deeper appreciation for the region.
Afternoon: Little Bald Rock (7.6 km, ~2 hours return)
In the afternoon, we walked up to Little Bald Rock. It’s not as high or steep as the main Bald Rock, and we had the place all to ourselves. The first section follows a shaded fire trail, then you step onto the exposed granite for wide open views. It’s an easy and peaceful walk, perfect after a morning of wildlife encounters.
Day 3 – Basket Swamp and Boonoo Boonoo National Parks
On our last day, we explored two more Tenterfield national parks, both known for their waterfalls and wild beauty.
Morning: Basket Swamp Falls
Getting to Basket Swamp Falls was an adventure in itself. The road is rough and definitely the trickiest access of our trip – you may want to think twice about it if you don’t have a 4WD. Once there, the falls felt completely remote. It’s one of those spots where you really feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by granite and forest.
Lunch: Morgan’s Gully
Next, we headed to Boonoo Boonoo National Park and stopped at Morgan’s Gully for lunch. It turned out to be one of the highlights of the day. We found a picnic table near the river and then explored the boulders downstream where two creeks meet. It’s such a peaceful and beautiful place, with smooth granite and beautiful water.
Afternoon: Boonoo Boonoo Falls and rock pools
After lunch, we continued to Boonoo Boonoo National Park on the road along the river that sometimes offers lovely viewpoints. At the end, there’s an easy walk that leads to a lookout over the valley and falls. The view of the waterfall itself is partly hidden, but the scenery is stunning. We also wandered to the rock pools before the falls, where people were swimming – we found it a bit too cold but it looked very inviting in warmer weather.
Before leaving, we stopped at the platypus hole for one last wildlife attempt. No luck this time (we’ve tried twice, but spotting a platypus in the wild isn’t easy), but it’s still a beautiful spot to end the day.
Where to stay near Tenterfield
The national park campgrounds were full for the long weekend, so we camped for three nights at a private property, Bald Rock Station, which we booked through Hipcamp. It was a peaceful base close to the national parks and a good backup when the park campgrounds were full for the long weekend.
Camping adds to the adventure, but be prepared for cold nights – even in spring, it dropped below 10°C. If you prefer comfort or don’t have the right gear, you’ll find plenty of cabins, cottages and motels around Tenterfield.
If you’re new to Hipcamp, here’s a coupon code that will give you (and me!) $10 credit for your first stay: ELOISET668EFD.
When to visit
When you plan to hike on granite, it’s better to choose a day when there’s no risk of rain, as granite rocks become very slippery when wet.
- Spring: Our favourite season – mild weather, blooming wildflowers, and comfortable hiking temperatures.
- Summer: Hot on the exposed granite, but great for swimming in rock pools.
- Autumn: Cooler air and strong waterfall flow after the wet season.
- Winter: Crisp, clear days but very cold nights – not ideal for camping.
Have you visited these Tenterfield national parks? Share your experience in the comments below!
