Salt Caves picnic area

Timmallallie National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Pause at Salt Caves picnic area on your exploration of Pilliga Forest and Timmallallie National Park. After a barbecue lunch, take a short walk to Pilliga Forest lookout tower, or a longer hike up to look for birds.

Type
Picnic areas
Where
Timmallallie National Park in Country NSW
Accessibility
Medium
Please note

  • Rainwater is available at the picnic area, however you’ll need to treat or boil it before drinking.
  • It’s a good idea to check road conditions before setting out – contact Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre for up to date information 

Enjoy your lunch in the company of the birds at Salt Caves picnic area in Timmallallie National Park. It’s a scenic spot to pause for a picnic or barbecue on your exploration of Pilliga Forest.

Pilliga Forest lookout tower is situated just above the picnic area, and offers breathtaking views across the vast Pilliga Forest. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Warrumbungles to the south-east, and Mount Kaputar Park in the north-east.

Work off your lunch with a short 1km hike to Salt Caves Dam, a popular watering hole for the native wildlife and a great spot for birdwatching.  

Before you head out to the Salt Caves, get the low down on where to go at the award-winning Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre, in Baradine.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Close to

  • Aerial view of Salt Caves picnic area, Timmallallie National Park. Photo © Rob Cleary

    Salt Caves campground

    Salt Caves campground is a good base when visiting Timmallallie National Park and Pilliga Forest. Explore the nearby Salt Caves and walk up to Pilliga Forest lookout tower.

  • View of Pilliga Forest lookout tower from below. Photo © Jessica Stokes

    Pilliga Forest lookout tower

    Pilliga Forest lookout tower is in Timmallallie National Park near Salt Caves picnic area. It’s a great place to soak up sweeping views of the forest and distant mountain ranges beyond.

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/salt-caves-picnic-area/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

Visitor info

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

Getting there and parking

Salt Caves picnic area is in Timmallallie National Park, on the corner of County Line Road and Wellyard Road.

To get there from Baradine:

  • Follow Salt Caves signage from Baradine (unsealed road 2WD accessible, weather permitting)
  • Travel along Indians Lane for approximately 9.5km
  • Turn right at the T junction onto No.1 Break Road and continue for 14.7km
  • Turn left onto Rocky Road and continue for 20.5km
  • Salt Caves picnic area is on your left at the intersection of County line Road and Wellyard Road in Timmallallie National Park.

From Narrabri:

  • Travel south on the Newell Highway for 27km
  • Turn right onto Pilliga Forest Way and travel 41km  (unsealed 2WD accessible, weather permitting)
  • Turn left onto County Line Road and travel 9.5km
  • Salt Caves picnic area is on your right at the intersection of County Line Road and Wellyard Road in Timmallallie National Park.

Road quality

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

There's a wide space next to the picnic area where you can park.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

You may experience a great range of temperatures on any day in the park. In summer it's generally hot in the daytime and temperatures often exceed 40C. In winter nights can be very cold, but you can enjoy clear sunny days. Rainfall is also highly variable, ranging from drought to prolonged wet periods, with the average annual rainfall around 600mm. Creeks may quickly become impassable after heavy rain.

Summer temperature

Average

15°C and 35°C

Highest recorded

45°C

Winter temperature

Average

2°C and 21°C

Lowest recorded

-6.1°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

January

Driest month

June to September

Facilities

Toilets

  • Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

  • Gas/electric barbecues (free)

Step-free access

There's step-free access from the parking to the picnic area, but there are no pathways. You'll need to cross over unsealed, flat hard-packed ground to reach the facilities.

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

  • Salt Caves picnic area is mostly flat and step-free, but there are no pathways. You'll need to cross over unsealed, hard-packed ground to reach the facilities.
  • There are accessible toilets at the picnic area.
  • Nearby Pilliga Forest lookout tower has many steps and is not wheelchair-accessible.

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.