Mann River campground and picnic area
Mann River Nature Reserve
Overview
Mann River campground and picnic area offers swimming and peaceful riverside camping in beautiful Mann River Nature Reserve, near Glen Innes.
| Number of campsites | 15 |
|---|---|
| Camping type | Tent, Camper trailer site, Caravan site, Camping beside my vehicle Short walk from parking |
| Facilities | Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, carpark, toilets |
| What to bring | Drinking water, cooking water, firewood |
| Price | There are no camping fees at this campground but a $6 booking fee applies. |
| Bookings | Book up to 12 people or 2 sites online. |
| Group bookings | This campground is not suitable for group bookings. |
| Please note |
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For a nature getaway that’s bound to impress the whole family, Mann River campground and picnic area features riverside camping in a beautiful bush setting. East of Glen Innes, near the Great Dividing Range, is an idyllic camping spot for a bush holiday or road trip pit stop.
Pitch your tent or park the camper trailer by the majestic Mann River in the shade of the towering she-oaks. The surrounding bush is a haven for wildlife and you’re bound to see eastern greys, wallabies and perhaps even a wallaroo. Reptiles such as lace monitors, eastern water dragons and blue tongue lizards are often seen nearby.
Enjoy a refreshing swim along the banks, and if you’re keen to explore don’t miss Tommys Rock lookout and walking track.
Map
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Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/mann-river-campground-and-picnic-area/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Glen Innes office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6739 0700
- npws.ntab@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 68 Church Street, Glen Innes NSW 2370
Park info
- in Mann River Nature Reserve in the Country NSW region
Mann River Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Mann River campground and picnic area.
Getting there and parking
Mann River campground and picnic area is in Mann River Nature Reserve. To get there:
- Drive west of Grafton along Gwydir Highway for 125km or east from Glen Innes for 37km
- Take the unsealed Old Grafton Road and drive for approximately 2km before descending 14km on sealed road to the base of Big Hill
- Drive for 150m on an unsealed road to the campground turn off
- For 4WD only, drive the historic (unsealed) Old Grafton road for about 130km from Grafton.
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as the road to Mann River campground can become boggy when it rains.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- 4WD required in wet weather
Parking
Parking is available at Mann River campground and picnic area.
Best times to visit
Autumn
Bushwalking, birdwatching and photography are great things to do at this time.
Spring
A great time for birdwatching and bushwalking.
Summer
Enjoy some swimming in the majestic Mann River.
Winter
Winter is best for crisp, clear skies and excellent stargazing.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
12°C to 25°C
Highest recorded
34.5°C
Winter temperature
Average
0.7°C to 14°C
Lowest recorded
-8.3°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
December
Driest month
April
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
140mm
Facilities
Water is not available at this campground
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
A large picnic shelter is available
Barbecue facilities
- Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Firewood is not supplied and collecting firewood in the park is not permitted.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Mann River campground and picnic area is in Mann River Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal gatherings
Due to its location at the bottom of the range leading to the coast, the reserve would have been a popular place for the Ngarabul People of the northern tablelands as well as the Gumbaynggir People to the south-east. It's believed the Ngarabul People travelled the mountains on a historic route that is known today as Old Grafton Road.
- Tommys Rock lookout and walking track Tommys Rock walking track offers scenic mountain views across the Great Dividing Ranges in Mann River Nature Reserve. You can choose to walk or 4WD along the trail to the summit.
Historic highways and bushranging country
With the discovery of gold and a regular Cobb and Co mail run, the lands of the reserve were once popular hunting grounds of renowned bushrangers such as 'Captain Thunderbolt' and 'Black Tommy' McPherson. Bordering the eastern edge of the reserve, Old Grafton Road was originally a timber getters track used to cart the valuable 'red gold' cedar trees in the 1840s. When the road was widened during the 1860s, Cobb and Co ran a weekly mail service along this road, linking Grafton and Glen Innes.
- Tommys Rock lookout and walking track Tommys Rock walking track offers scenic mountain views across the Great Dividing Ranges in Mann River Nature Reserve. You can choose to walk or 4WD along the trail to the summit.
Roving reptiles and birdlife
This reserve protects a wide range of lizards from the mighty lace monitor, reaching up to 2m in length to the more diminutive blue-tongue lizard. Eastern water dragons are often seen sunning themselves on the riverbanks. With over 50 species of birdlife protected within the reserve, grab your binoculars for sightings of king parrots, yellow-faced honey-eaters and yellow-rumped thornbills. The magnificent raptor birds such as the peregrine falcon can often be seen surfing on mountain thermals. Native mammals you can see include grey kangaroos, wallaroos, pretty-faced wallabies and swamp wallabies.
- Tommys Rock lookout and walking track Tommys Rock walking track offers scenic mountain views across the Great Dividing Ranges in Mann River Nature Reserve. You can choose to walk or 4WD along the trail to the summit.