Big River drive
Goulburn River National Park
Overview
Big River drive leads to Big River campground in Goulburn River National Park. Get in your car for fishing, swimming and camping.
- Where
- Goulburn River National Park in Country NSW
- Distance
- 1km one-way
- Time suggested
- 5min
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
Check the weather before you set out as Spring Gully Road can become boggy when it rains.
If you’re hiking or driving along Big River drive, you’ll get a feel for this wonderful national park. The route meanders through forest and woodland and is a short extension to the Spring Gully drive which begins at the small town of Wollar. Keep your eyes peeled because chances are you’ll spot a red-neck wallaby bounding through the trees or a goanna soaking up the sun on the road.
If you’re into native Australian plants, you won’t be disappointed hiking along this track. Numerous species of eucalypts can be found here, like angophoras and callitris, while banksias and yellow paper daisies will vie for your eye’s attention.
By the time you arrive at Big River campground, you’ll no doubt want to relax and refuel. Pull on your swimmers and go for a dip, or strike up a barbecue, sit back and start planning your next day’s adventure.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/driving-routes/big-river-drive/local-alerts
General enquiries
- 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
Park info
- in Goulburn River National Park in the Country NSW region
Goulburn River National Park 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 Big River drive.
Getting there and parking
Big River drive is in the central precinct of Goulburn River National Park. To get there:
- From Wollar, follow Barigan Street north.
- Turn right into Mogo Road and continue to the start of Spring Gully Road
- Follow Spring Gully Road which becomes Big River Road to Big River campground
Parking
Parking is available at Big River campground.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Goulburn River National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Is there anything more relaxing than sitting around the campfire with family and friends? Autumn is a great time of year to visit Spring Gully campground.
Spring
With the many natives blooming – callistemons, acacias and eucalypts among them – this is the best time to observe the plant and wildlife the park attracts.
Summer
With the temperatures at their warmest, head to the river for swimming and liloing.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
15°C and 30°C
Highest recorded
40.3°C
Winter temperature
Average
3°C and 17°C
Lowest recorded
–6.7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
May
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
186.7mm
Maps and downloads
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
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.
If you're travelling through a national park or reserve on a public road you can have pets inside your vehicle. However, you must keep them inside your vehicle while driving through national parks or reserves. You must also comply with any conditions in the park’s plan of management, and you cannot stop to visit the park or use park facilities (unless for safety reasons, or to use publicly accessible toilets).
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Big River drive is in Goulburn River National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal echoes
For many thousands of years before European settlement, the river valley that runs through Goulburn River National Park was an important trading route between the Aboriginal people who resided on the coast, and those who lived on the western plains. The area was traditionally occupied by the people of the Wiradjuri, Gamileroi and Wonnarua Clans, and today more than 300 known Aboriginal sites remain within the park, mainly along the river.
- Aboriginal cultural tours of Wiradjuri Country Journey through the Australian bush on a guided tour of Wiradjuri Country with Milan Dhiiyaan. Learn about Aboriginal culture, share in a smoking ceremony and find local bush tucker in Goulburn River National Park.
- The Drip walking track The Drip walking track, in Goulburn River State Conservation Area, meanders beside Goulburn River to The Drip, or 'the Great Dripping Wall’. Rain water trickling through the porous rock wall makes it a cool oasis.
Action aplenty
Along the Goulburn River, there are plenty of outdoor pursuits to keep you busy. The river is usually shallow but offers natural pools that are suitable for swimming. After rain, its gentle flow makes canoeing and liloing possible. There are lots of walking opportunities in Goulburn River National Park, like Lees Pinch lookout track or the marked fire trails, which can be explored on foot or on a mountain bike.
- Spring Gully drive The picturesque Spring Gully drive takes you through lush forest. At Spring Gully campground, you can enjoy a swim, fishing and birdwatching.
Forest landscape
The park, covering over 70,000ha, was established in 1983 following the decision that the land was precious, both environmentally and culturally, especially for the traditional Aboriginal owners. Visiting the park today, you'll admire the sheer magnificence of Goulburn River National Park, due to its preservation as a forest landscape, much of which is surrounded by pastoral land.
- Big River drive Big River drive leads to Big River campground in Goulburn River National Park. Get in your car for fishing, swimming and camping.
- Spring Gully drive The picturesque Spring Gully drive takes you through lush forest. At Spring Gully campground, you can enjoy a swim, fishing and birdwatching.
- The Drip walking track The Drip walking track, in Goulburn River State Conservation Area, meanders beside Goulburn River to The Drip, or 'the Great Dripping Wall’. Rain water trickling through the porous rock wall makes it a cool oasis.
Wild about the park
With its location along the river, surrounded by rural holdings, Goulburn River is rich in plant and wildlife. Kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos are often seen grazing on the riverbanks. A rich variety of plant life - eucalypts, river oak, grevilleas and callistemon (more commonly called bottlebrush) - provides habitats for many birds, including glossy black cockatoos and lyrebirds.
- Big River drive Big River drive leads to Big River campground in Goulburn River National Park. Get in your car for fishing, swimming and camping.
- Spring Gully drive The picturesque Spring Gully drive takes you through lush forest. At Spring Gully campground, you can enjoy a swim, fishing and birdwatching.