Fire Tower & Salt Caves

According to legend, the Salt Caves were once 30 metres deep, and salt hung in columns like stalactites from the roof. Animals were often seen licking the salt and local Aboriginal and pioneer women collected it to cure their meat.

The fire observation tower is used by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to monitor conditions. If you climb the tower you will be rewarded with spectacular view over The Pilliga National Park. There is a picnic area with free gas barbecues, toilets and shelters. A gentle 1km stroll takes you to the Salt Caves Dam which, when full of water, attracts wildlife.

Narrabri CSIRO Australia Telescope

Narrabri CSIRO Telescope is located 22km from Narrabri on Yarrie Lake Road. Admission is free. Six white dishes form the most powerful radio telescope in the southern hemisphere. A visitor centre offers displays and an audiovisual presentation. A barbecue area is near a woodland which attracts wildlife.

Pilliga Pottery

Pilliga Pottery is highly recommended as a friendly place to stay in The Pilliga. Camping and accommodation available in unique buildings.

Do not trust your GPS to get you there. Look for the brown tourist signs to Pilliga Pottery. Turn off to the western side of the Newell Highway 23km north of Coonabarabran and 95km south of Narrabri. Follow the signs into Brambitty Road, then along another 10km of gravel road.

Activities include: marked bushwalking tracks, bird watching tours, horse riding and pottery lessons.

Lunch & dinner available. Private dining area available for groups.
Phone: 6842 2239
Maria Rickert – owner

Pilliga Protection Camp                    

Visitors are very welcome. Free camping, meals provided with donation. Well organised camp on Pilliga Pottery’s land 10 km north of Pilliga Pottery’s turnoff. Forest protectors may be available as tour guides in gas fields. Phone well before arrival as camp may move or close for a short time.

Bring your own camping gear. Long drop toilet, bush shower, camp kitchen and a water tank filled with drinkable bore water. This does not taste the best so you may wish to bring your own. Communal meals or prepare your own. Cooking in summer is discouraged due to fire danger. A donation of $10 per person per night covers food and utilities.

Campers are encouraged to help with either cooking, campaign activities or building and running the camp. Ph: 0499 384 557 http://pilligapush.com/

Sculptures in the Scrub

Sculptures in the Scrub is situated at Dandry Gorge. Free camping, walking track, picnic area, free gas BBQs, toilets, water tanks but they may be empty.

A well formed 3km circuit walking track goes through the gorge past five sculptures made from bronze, stone and stainless steel, the largest being 3.5 metres tall. Each piece tells a story of local Aboriginal history and culture.

The Aloes

The Aloes is a lovely picnic area on the site of an historic homestead that contains several relics including the graves of early pioneers. It is one of a number of areas within the Pilliga Forest that has Koala colonies.

Yarrie Lake

Yarrie Lake is located 15km from Narrabri on Yarrie Lake Road. This circular lake, 3km in diameter was possibly formed by a meteorite. It may or may not have water in it. Powered and non-powered camping sites are available from $15 a day. Ph 02 6799 6760