Oxley Wild Rivers National Park

National Park Gorge-filled national park protecting waterfalls and rainforest

National park on the New England Tablelands featuring deep gorges, waterfalls and river valleys; popular for hiking, camping, 4WD tracks and scenic lookouts.

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Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is a protected area in New South Wales that conserves a network of deeply incised river gorges and upland tablelands. The park is managed for conservation, recreation and the protection of riverine landscapes.

Key attractions are the steep gorges and cliffline lookouts that provide panoramic views over river valleys, along with a number of waterfalls and walking tracks of varying length. The park is used for bushwalking, canyon viewing, birdwatching and short scenic drives.

The area encompasses river systems that have carved deep gorges into sandstone and other rock types over geological time; management focuses on protecting these landforms and the remnant native vegetation. Visitor infrastructure is concentrated at several established lookout points and trackheads.

Oxley Wild Rivers National Park sits in the northern tablelands of New South Wales, occupying rugged terrain between higher plateaus and lower river valleys. Access is by regional roads from nearby towns and the park is a significant natural landmark in the state’s inland area.

  • Terrain and access: Contains extensive rugged gorges and escarpments formed by the Macleay and Apsley river systems, with multiple walking tracks and lookouts for canyon views.

What to See #

  • Gorges and lookouts: Wollomombi and Apsley gorges - major river gorges carved into the tablelands, popular for viewpoints and walking tracks.
  • Waterfalls: Waterfalls and cascades - several notable falls occur on tributary rivers within the park and are focal points for short walks and viewpoints.

How to Get to Oxley Wild Rivers National Park #

Oxley Wild Rivers NP is accessed from Armidale, Walcha and other New England towns. Major access roads include the Waterfall Way and Oxley Highway; driving is the most practical way to explore the park and reach dispersed lookouts and trailheads. Some park roads are unsealed-check National Parks NSW advisories before travel.

Tips for Visiting Oxley Wild Rivers National Park #

  • If planning to drive, parts of the park's roads are unsealed-check vehicle requirements and seasonal closures.
  • Bring binoculars for spotting birds and gorge features along walking trails.
  • Start at the Apsley Falls visitor center for maps and up-to-date track conditions.

Best Time to Visit Oxley Wild Rivers National Park #

Best from autumn through spring for accessible tracks and comfortable hiking conditions; summer delivers big waterfalls but variable access.

Autumn to spring
April-October · 10-22°C
Cooler, drier conditions ideal for walking and gorge viewing.
Summer wet season
November-March · 20-30°C
Higher rainfall and dramatic waterfalls-some tracks may be closed.

Weather & Climate near Oxley Wild Rivers National Park #

Climate

Oxley Wild Rivers National Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 4°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1025 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 28 Good
Best Time to Visit
AprilOctoberJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (156 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
17° 28°
70%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

156 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.7h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
17° 27°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

140 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 26°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

121 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.1h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 23°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.2h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).

71 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.1h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).

77 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.3h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).

77 Very Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
17°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).

77 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
11.8h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
10° 24°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.7h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.5h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 28°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.9h daylight

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