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.

Main image
Wikivoyage banner

Oxley Wild Rivers National Park at a Glance#

About Oxley Wild Rivers National Park#

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
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 17° - 28° 22° 156 mm partly cloudy 70% 2.6 m/s 2.6 extreme 13.7h
February Very Good 17° - 27° 22° 140 mm partly cloudy 76% 2.8 m/s 2.3 extreme 13.0h
March Very Good 15° - 26° 20° 121 mm partly cloudy 79% 2.7 m/s 1.8 very high 12.1h
April Excellent 11° - 23° 17° 74 mm partly cloudy 79% 2.0 m/s 1.3 high 11.2h
May Very Good 9° - 19° 14° 76 mm some cloud 79% 2.1 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.5h
June Very Good 5° - 16° 11° 47 mm partly cloudy 84% 2.7 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.1h
July Very Good 4° - 15° 9° 44 mm some cloud 80% 2.3 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.3h
August Very Good 5° - 17° 11° 30 mm some cloud 74% 2.5 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.9h
September Very Good 8° - 21° 14° 44 mm some cloud 68% 2.8 m/s 1.4 high 11.8h
October Excellent 10° - 24° 17° 71 mm partly cloudy 66% 2.7 m/s 1.8 very high 12.7h
November Very Good 13° - 25° 19° 107 mm partly cloudy 68% 3.0 m/s 2.2 extreme 13.5h
December Very Good 15° - 28° 21° 115 mm partly cloudy 68% 2.9 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.9h