Top Things to do in Coonabarabran
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7 Free Things to do in Coonabarabran That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Coonabarabran, Australia including Siding Spring Observatory, Sandstone Caves, Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre, Pilliga Pottery, Dandry Gorge, Crystal Kingdom, Pilliga National Park.
Restaurants in Coonabarabran
1. Siding Spring Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 262 reviews
SIDING SPRING OBSERVATORY IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Please see the facebook page for further details.
Reviewed By FreespiritSydney - North Sydney, Australia
James was delightfully frank and very informative on the machinations of the telescopes, the enterprise and the current threats to its existence as an international window to our solar system. Coal seam gas mining and its effective light pollution and landscape scarring in the Piliga would surely be a huge mistake.
2. Sandstone Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By peterevans61 - Sydney, Australia
So glad I went .... wonderfully tranquil I was the only one there. Plus the flies. Take aerogard. Finding it wasn’t easy ... no sign off the main road but Google Maps helped ... Apple Maps no help. Dirt road is good for all vehicles .... caves and sandstone colours and formations just beautiful
3. Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By JElliot32 - New South Wales, Australia
The Visitor Centre proved a key stopover for us in Coonabarabran. Firstly, it was only a week or so since Covid-19 restrictions in NSW had been relaxed and the Centre had important information on what local attractions were now open and what was still closed to visitors (including Siding Springs Observatory, unfortunately). There had also been some heavy rain overnight and we were able to get some updates on local road conditions, especially re the dirt roads in the Pilliga Forest. The Centre has several walls of all the tourist literature that you tend to find in such places but an added and totally unexpected bonus was a natural history exhibition whose centrepiece was the skeleton of a massive Diprotodon (given the name Frank), which had been unearthed in the local area some 40 years ago. Nearly all the animal's bones were recovered including the very impressive skull and are included in the display. It is thought the skeleton is some 33,000 years old. The exhibition is very professionally presented and well worth a look.
4. Pilliga Pottery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By danielbush27
We Had a great breakfast there everyone was lovely and polite, I wouldn't listen to that artist he sounds like a bit of a d#+K really really nice big breakfast and coffee was fantastic went back for 2nds
5. Dandry Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Review_by_BB
A thoroughly interesting nature and arts experience in one! Our family of four accessed this location from the Newell Hwy after visiting the equally enjoyable Sandstone Caves. The drive is about 30km drive in via a reasonable condition dirt road that most 2WDs could handle in the dry. The walk follows a loop track of good standard and is about 3km in length. Light to moderate fitness is required but our 4 year old had no problems. The artwork was interesting as was the signage. Leave at least 2 hours to complete the walk. Definitely recommended if you like bush walks with some added artwork for interest. The picnic area at the start/end of the walk has toilets and tables that made for an enjoyable family lunch. We drove back to Coonabarabran via the Baradine NPWS Info Centre (interesting history to the area) and through the Wurrumbungles that made for a terrific day of exploring. Our thanks to the NPWS officer on duty at the info centre for providing value adding information.
6. Crystal Kingdom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
This was the first museum in Australia to display only local minerals, crystals and fossils. The display contains some of the world's rarest zeolite crystals and some rare local fossils. The attached retail outlet sells gemstone jewellery , mineral specimens, fossils and gift lines. Open every day, except Xmasday.
Reviewed By AussieAussieAussie5
Wow .. We went in here thinking it was going to be a little shop ...turns out to have a massive collection of Crystal on display in their own musium all different types from all over australia ...and was free to look at ..we brought some beautiful stones from the store and very cheap compared to anywhere else ive been ...loved the little old lady that owned it she was the sweetest and so friendly and helpful ...a world of knowledge on stones ...
7. Pilliga National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
The Salt Caves visitor area and Lookout Tower are in the central part of the forest and has a picnic and camping area, which include picnic tables with shelter, free gas barbeque and toilet facilities.
Reviewed By N9932LYjohnw - Torquay, Australia
We had a day in the Pilliga which enabled us to see the landmarks we wanted to visit. The roads were not in good condition which made the travel a bit slower but not difficult. The salt caves and fire lookout were an easy walk as well as a small walk to the Salt Caves Dam. This is a great place for a picnic lunch as there are shelters with table and chairs as well as toilets. The Sculptures in the Scrub walking track is also an easy walk and well worth the effort. The sculptures are very interesting. On the return to Toorawenah we stopped at the Sandstone caves which once again was well worth the walk. All in all an enjoyable day.
