Morgans Gully picnic area

Boonoo Boonoo National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

Visit Morgans Gully for a relaxing picnic, and investigate gold mining historic heritage surrounded by wildflowers and embellished with a waterfall and geological formations.

Type
Picnic areas
Accessibility
Hard
Entry fees
Park entry fees apply
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
Please note
  • The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch.

As you explore the intriguing landscape of beautiful Boonoo Boonoo, be sure to spend some time at Morgans Gully; a fascinating area full of granite rock that marks the site of an old goldfield. At the eastern end of the gully, you’ll see historic heritage of the gold mining era. There’s a hand-dug water race where gravel was washed and, in the woodland to the east, there are two old pressure cylinders used for gold extraction.

In spring, a walk to the historic site is particularly rewarding – you’ll see boronia, banksia, grevillea and many other flowering plants and wildflowers brightening the woodlands. Watch out for kangaroos and wallabies n your wanderings and enjoy the glistening waterfall pouring into this lovely section of Boonoo Boonoo. There are platypus in the park too – if you’re quiet, you may be lucky enough to see one of these shy little creatures.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/picnic-areas/morgans-gully-picnic-area/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

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

Getting there and parking

From Stanthorpe:

  • Take the road to Amosfield
  • Turn south towards Tenterfield along Woodenbong Road, continuing south past Bald Rock for a further 7km to the Bonnoo Boonoo National Park/Boonoo Boonoo Falls turn-off.
  • Follow this road for 4km to the park boundary
  • The 9km park access road is unsealed and ends at Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area

From the northern end of Tenterfield:

  • Turn right onto Woodenbong Road and travel for 22km
  • Turn right at the Boonoo Boonoo National Park/Boonoo Boonoo Falls sign
  • Follow this road for 4km to the boundary of Boonoo Boonoo National Park
  • The 5km park access road is unsealed and ends at Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area

Road quality

Check the weather before you set out as the road to Boonoo Boonoo Falls can become flooded during heavy rains.

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Parking is available at Morgans Gully picnic area.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Boonoo Boonoo National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Spring

This is the season for wildflowers. The mild weather at this time of year is also particularly good for camping.

Summer

The water in the large secluded rock pools along the river will give sweet relief from the summer heat.

Winter

Temperatures can plunge overnight and mornings are often frosty at this time of year, so be well-prepared if you're camping. Though winter days are often sunny, cloudless and warm enough to enjoy a picnic or a long hike.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

14°C and 27°C

Highest recorded

38.3°C

Winter temperature

Average

2°C and 14°C

Lowest recorded

-10°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

January

Driest month

August

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

228.6mm

Facilities

  • Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
  • You are encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
  • Firewood may not be collected from the park – it is provided in the picnic area.

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

  • Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

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).

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - hard

  • Wheelchairs can access this area with difficulty

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.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Learn more

Morgans Gully picnic area is in Boonoo Boonoo National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Fabulous falls

Boonoo Boonoo Falls are in Boonoo Boonoo National Park near Tenterfield. Photo: Joshua J Smith, © DCCEEW

The park's jewel is Boonoo Boonoo Falls. If you'd like to see what this feature is really made of, visit during the wetter months of summer. Even if the falls aren't pumping, though, they're still beautiful and there will always be rockpools along Boonoo Boonoo River to swim in, walking tracks to follow and riverside picnics to indulge in.

Gold fever

Morgans Gully, Boonoo Boonoo National Park. Photo: David Young

Morgans Gully and Ropers Gully are two sites in the park where alluvial gold was discovered in the late nineteenth century. As a result, there was a huge influx of European and Asian prospectors to the area. As well as giving the nearby town of Tenterfield a massive economic boost, the village of Boonoo Boonoo temporarily flourished, though it is now in ruins.

Though nature has reclaimed these gullies too, imagine what the areas might have looked, sounded and smelt like when they were teeming with men from here and all over the world, half-crazy with gold fever.

Have you seen the wildlife?

Endangered brush-tailed rock-wallabies can be found in Boonoo Boonoo National Park near Tenterfield. Photo: Leah Pippos, © DCCEEW

Boonoo Boonoo takes its name from the Jukambal language and means ‘big rock’. Known for its stunning waterfalls, secluded waterholes and many walking trails, this national park is home to many plants and animals including kangaroos, endangered brush-tailed rock-wallabies and vulnerable spotted-tailed quolls which you may see throughout the park in the early morning and late afternoon. You may also be lucky enough to spot platypuses frolicking in Boonoo Boonoo River.

  • Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area is not only a great place to eat and rest, it teems with wildlife and wildflowers and is close to walking tracks, lookouts and Boonoo Boonoo Falls.
  • Falls Lookout walk For views of magnificent Boonoo Boonoo Falls, why not wander along Falls Lookout walk, only 35km from Tenterfield.
  • Morgans Gully picnic area Visit Morgans Gully for a relaxing picnic, and investigate gold mining historic heritage surrounded by wildflowers and embellished with a waterfall and geological formations.
  • River walk River walk offers excellent scenery, wildlife watching, swimming and picnicking. It connects Morgans Gully picnic area, Cypress Pine campground and Platypus Hole picnic area with Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area.
  • Rockpool Ramble walk Rockpool Ramble walk is in Boonoo Boonoo National Park, near Tenterfield. It’s a great way to see Boonoo Boonoo River and its lovely rockpools.
  • Rockpools View walk Rockpools View walk is in Boonoo Boonoo National Park, 27km from Tenterfield. Wander along this accessible 400m return walk that winds through bushland to a river and rockpool view.
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Environments in this park

Education resources (1)