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Coachwood picnic area

Washpool National Park

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Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Coachwood picnic area.

Getting there and parking

Washpool National Park is located off the Gwydir Highway between Grafton and Glen Innes. To get to Coachwood Picnic Area:

  • Take the Gwydir Highway from Glen Innes or Grafton
  • Take the Coachwood Drive turnoff and follow to Coachwood picnic area

Road quality

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Parking is available in a gravel carpark at Coachwood picnic area.

Best times to visit

Washpool National Park offers an exceptional visit all year round. You're sure to find a walk, tour, activity or attraction to appeal, regardless of the season. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

Autumn offers good weather for exploring the park during the day and is cool enough during the evenings to sit by the campfire.

Spring

Mid-spring is a fantastic time to head out on the inspiring World Heritage walk. The temperature is perfect and the heathlands, swamps and woodlands erupt in a colourful display of wildflowers including the striking Gibraltar waratah.

Summer

Enjoy the shade of the rainforest with a picnic and walk, and then cool off with a dip in Coombajdha creek's natural pool.

Winter

The coldest time of the year means that you may likely have the park to yourself – enjoy the solitude.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

14°C and 26°C

Highest recorded

39.8°C

Winter temperature

Average

2°C and 15°C

Lowest recorded

-8.9°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

January

Driest month

April

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

254.8mm

Facilities

Water is available from the creek – however, you’ll need to boil or treat it before drinking.

Toilets

  • Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

  • Gas/electric barbecues (free)

Carpark

Step-free access

There's step-free access around the picnic area, with a gravel path that leads from the carpark to the toilets. 

To get to other parts of the picnic area, you'll need to cross over flat grass.

  • Step-free outdoor pathways

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

  • Coachwood picnic area is mostly flat and step-free.
  • There's a gravel path that runs from the carpark to the toilets. To reach other parts of the picnic area, you'll need to cross over flat grass.
  • The toilets at the picnic area are not accessible or ambulant.

Prohibited

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.

Coachwood picnic area

Operated by

Park info

  • in Washpool National Park in the North Coast and Country NSW regions
  • Washpool National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

  • Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per day applies only at attractions in the Glen Innes area. The park uses a self-registration fee collection system. Please bring the correct change and display your receipt.

    Buy annual pass

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