Moree might be best known for its artesian hot pools, but there’s a good reason to dry off, jump back in the 4WD and see what’s beyond town.
Head east and you’ll find rugged gorge country on the edge of Mount Kaputar National Park. Point the bonnet north-west instead and you can trade the highway for the birdlife and wide-open skies of the Gwydir Wetlands.
Neither of these Moree 4WD trips is about seeing how much mud you can throw over the roof. They’re about getting off the main road, exploring somewhere different and making the most of having a capable vehicle in the driveway.
If you’re ready for a change of scenery from the flat plains around Moree, Waa Gorge is a good place to start.
Around 85km east of town, this rugged spot sits in the northern section of Mount Kaputar National Park. It’s a day trip that combines a drive through the countryside with the chance to stretch your legs among colourful gorge walls and rocky waterholes.
Moree Plains Tourism recommends a high-clearance 4WD for the trip. The final approach along Allambie Road is dry-weather access only, so keep an eye on the forecast before you set off.
From Moree, head east along the Gwydir Highway before turning towards Terry Hie Hie. Continue through Terry Hie Hie and the Berrygil section of Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area, then turn onto Allambie Road and follow it to the park entrance and Waa Gorge picnic area.
Allambie Road passes through private property, so stick to the road and leave gates as you find them. It can get boggy after rain, and nobody wants to spend the afternoon digging their way out when they could be exploring the gorge.
You’ll find detailed directions on the NSW National Parks visitor information page.
Once you reach the picnic area, it’s time to swap the driving shoes for something a little more suited to scrambling over rocks.
The Waa Gorge walking track follows on from the Mill-bullah walking track and takes you into the gorge, where you’ll find colourful rock walls, fig trees and birdlife. It’s only 2.5km return, but before you start thinking you’ll knock it over in half an hour, there’s a bit more to it than the distance suggests.
This is a Grade 5 walk for experienced bushwalkers, with rough, unformed ground and no directional signage. NSW National Parks suggests allowing two to three hours, so bring sturdy shoes, plenty of drinking water and a decent sense of direction. Phone reception is limited, too.
Not keen on the scramble? Pack a picnic and enjoy the bush setting at the picnic area before heading back towards Moree.
Waa Gorge trip notes:
For a different kind of day trip, head north-west of Moree to the Gwydir Wetlands State Conservation Area.
Here, the attraction isn’t a gnarly track or a steep climb. It’s the chance to explore an inland wetland, pull up for a picnic and spend some time watching the birdlife. Depending on water levels and the time of year, what you find can vary from one visit to the next.
The trip to the Waterbird Lagoon bird hide starts by heading west from Moree along the Gwydir Highway towards Collarenebri. After around 11km, turn right onto Watercourse Road and follow it for approximately 49km to the lagoon turn-off. From there, it’s another short drive into the reserve to the picnic area.
NSW National Parks recommends a high-clearance 4WD for the trip, although it notes that most roads can be suitable for 2WD vehicles in appropriate conditions. The roads are unsealed and dry-weather only, and access may close after rain. Check conditions before heading out rather than finding yourself staring at a muddy road and wondering if you should give it a crack.
Bring the binoculars, pack some lunch and give yourself time to hang around at the bird hide. This is the sort of place where sitting quietly for a while can be more rewarding than rushing in, taking a photo and heading straight back out.
If there’s enough water in the wetlands, you can also bring your own canoe or kayak for a paddle. Camping isn’t permitted in the conservation area, though, so you’ll need to head back to Moree or organise somewhere else to stay.
Gwydir Wetlands trip notes:
With one trip east and the other north-west, Moree makes a handy base for exploring both.
Go for Waa Gorge if you want rugged scenery and a walk that’ll get the legs working. Choose the Gwydir Wetlands if you’d rather slow down, unpack the picnic lunch and see what birdlife is about. Got a couple of days? Do both.
And when you’re back in town with a bit of dust on the 4WD and a few kilometres in your legs, you’ve got a pretty good excuse to sink into one of those famous artesian pools.
Planning to stick around for a few days? There’s more to the region than these two drives. For ideas on local attractions, places to eat and where to stay, check out RVDaily’s guide to things to do in Moree.
