Goulburn River National Park Gains New Ground

When we’re confronted by news of one environmental crisis after another, it’s nice to hear of things actually going the other way. Goulburn River National Park is set to grow by 23 hectares over the next two years, a move designed to protect ‘The Drip’, a natural gorge, from mining and tunneling.

A binding agreement has been reached with Moolarben Coal which secures the 23ha and ensures that there will be no impact on the water supply feeding the gorge and no impact to mine subsidence from mining at The Drip and environs.

Environment Minister Mark Speakman said the extra land for Goulburn River NP was a victory. “This is a win for the community...saving this spectacular feature for future generations to treasure and enjoy.” Established in 1983, Goulburn River National Park is located along the Goulburn River, about 3 hours from Newcastle in your campervan hire, and surrounded by over 70,000ha of rural parcels and forest. The park is a sanctuary for goannas, platypus, kangaroos and a wide range of birds, including the endangered Regent Honeyeater.

Located just over 200km northwest of Sydney, the park is also a popular destination for swimming, fishing, hiking and camping - while there’s a fair amount of unsealed road leading up to the park, access for 2WD vehicles isn’t a problem, making it accessible even to those holidaymakers who don’t happen to own an SUV.

And while the current chilly temperatures may not have put you in the camping mood, spring (as surprising as it might seem) is only a few months away. Come September, Goulburn River’s callistemons, acacias and eucalypts will all be returning to life again in a vibrant display, and the local wildlife will be out in force.

It’s no short trip to get out there though, so to make the most of your time why not pack up the family or grab a few mates and rent a campervan for the journey? That way, when you get there all you have to do is park up and start relaxing.

Given the additional 23 hectares of land being added to Goulburn River National Park, it’s clear that this 90km stretch of paradise really is a national treasure worthy of protecting, nurturing - and enjoying to the fullest.

Keep in mind that Goulburn River National Park quite a long way from major centres, so if there’s something you need, make sure to bring it with you. There’s no water provided at the campground, for instance, and you’ll need to take all your rubbish with you when you leave. For more detailed information on camping in Goulburn River National Park, it might pay to check out the National Parks webpage for Goulburn.

There are two spots to park your campervan: the ever-popular Big River campground with easy access to waterholes and sandstone caves, and the smaller, luxuriously shady Spring Gully campground with scenic views overlooking the Goulburn River gorge. Remember to check the weather before heading to either of these sites, as the roads leading up to them can become boggy when wet.

Whichever site you opt for, one thing’s for certain: campervanning in Goulburn River National Park is an unforgettable experience - one which, thanks to the extra ground it’s gained, looks set to remain popular for years to come.

The heart of NSW is Sydney, but there is far more than just this Australian state to experience in an Australia Motorhome Rental. You may get a Melbourne campervan hire, motorhome hire from Perth and a Motorhome Rental from Tasmania - these are just a few of the locations on offer. New Zealand is also a popular choice for those who wish to venture a bit further - why not head over and grab a NZ Campervan Hire.

Image credit: "Regenthoneyeater" by Incandescent (talk) (Jessica Bonsell) - English Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons