Spring Hill picnic area

Cocoparra National Park

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Overview

Enjoy a picnic in a peaceful woodland setting at Spring Hill picnic area in Cocoparra National Park, with scenic views, fantastic birdwatching and an easy walking track.

Type
Picnic areas
Where
Cocoparra National Park in Murray-Riverina
What to
bring
Drinking water

Looking out to the red rocky cliffs of Cocoparra Range, Spring Hill picnic area is a beautiful place to get away from it all and reconnect with nature. There’s plenty of space for the kids to play, as well as barbecues and picnic tables to enjoy your gourmet feast amongst this beautiful woodland setting. 

Watch the kids run around while you sit back and listen to the chorus of birds around you. Keep an eye out for the peregrine falcons often seen soaring overhead, as well as a variety of woodland birds. 

After lunch, take an easy walk through cypress pine woodland on Falcon Falls walking track. This short walk offers great birdwatching and, in spring, you’ll literally walk through a maze of colour with the wonderful wildflower display. Just keep in mind you’ll only see the waterfall after heavy rain. 

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/spring-hill-picnic-area/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

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

Getting there and parking

Spring Hill picnic area is in the Spring Hill precinct of Cocoparra National Park. To get there:

  • Follow Burley Griffin Way from Yenda (about 3.5km).
  • Turn left onto Barry Scenic Drive
  • The Spring Hill picnic area entrance is approximately 10km after the turn-off

Road quality

Check the weather before you set out as the road to Spring Hill picnic area can become boggy when it rains.

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • 4WD required in wet weather

Parking

Parking is available at Spring Hill picnic area.

Best times to visit

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

Autumn

Camp at Woolshed Flat while the days are still long and warm enough to explore the walking tracks and the cool nights are pleasant for sitting and watching the sun set Keep an eye out for the autumn greenhood, an early flowering orchid. .

Spring

Take Jacks Creek walking track to see gorgeous spring flowers, including orchids, daisies, wattles and tea-trees. Watch the first rainbow bee-eaters arrive to build nests in the ground. Their brilliant colours are dazzling. Climb Mount Brodgen to look out over the plains and the tree line of Murrumbidgee River .

Winter

Winter rains bring the creeks and falls to life, and the blue-tinged cypress pine trees contrast against the red rocks beautifully after wet weather. The mosses and lichens on Falcon Falls walking track are also renewed with the seasonal rains Wattles begin to flower and their glorious colour will brighten up a cold day .

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

15°C and 33°C

Highest recorded

44.7°C

Winter temperature

Average

3°C and 17°C

Lowest recorded

–4.8°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

October

Driest month

December

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

111.3mm

Facilities

  • Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
  • Rubbish bins are not available – please take your rubbish with you when you leave.

Amenities

Toilets

  • Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

  • Gas/electric barbecues (free)

Carpark

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).

Outback safety

Safety is of high priority in outback areas. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 50°C in some places. Food, water and fuel supplies can be scarce. Before you head off, check for road closures and use our contacts to stay safe in the outback.

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.

Learn more

Spring Hill picnic area is in Cocoparra National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    A haven for birds

    Wildflowers in bloom in Cocoparra National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    This is a mecca for birdwatchers, with many resident and migratory species recorded here. Look out for the locally-threatened glossy-black cockatoo drinking from dams at dusk or quietly feeding on the seeds of the drooping she-oak. You may also see the many endangered woodland birds such as the hooded robin, speckled warbler, varied sittella, grey-crowned babbler, diamond firetail or shy heathwren. You can also visit the nesting grounds of the peregrine falcon at Falcon Falls.

    • Falcon Falls walking track Take Falcon Falls walking track for bushwalking past waterfalls and for spectacular woodland birdwatching, including magnificent peregrine falcons during nesting season.
    • Mount Brogden walking track Visit Mount Brogden walking track in Cocoparra National Park, near Griffith, for some excellent birdwatching, and enjoy Murrumbidgee River views.
    • Store Creek walking track Explore interesting rock formations on Store Creek walking track, only 30 minutes from Griffith. The track is a birdwatcher’s paradise and a wildflower wonderland in spring.

    Ancient Aboriginal sites

    Views across the valley in Cocoparra National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    This is Wiradjuri country, and the many Aboriginal sites within Cocoparra National Park suggest intensive use during winter and spring when food resources became scarce along rivers, with surface water available in the protected valleys of the range. The name 'Cocoparra' comes from the Aboriginal 'cocupara', or kookaburra.

    Dramatic rock formations

    Rock formations on top of Spring Hill, Cocoparra National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Conserving an important area of native vegetation, Cocoparra National Park stands out amid the surrounding plains and farmlands with its rugged ranges and spectacular scenery. Deep narrow valleys, folded and eroded rock faces and delightful waterfalls mean that the view is always changing. For a dramatic overview of the plains, take Jacks Creek or Mount Brogden walking tracks. The rugged, craggy landscape of the Cocoparra Range produces a great variety of habitats. You’ll find woodlands and forests occupied by white cypress pine, Dwyer’s mallee gum, kurrajong, yellow box and many more during your bushwalks. If you’re a budding botanist, you’ll love the delicate orchids and spring wildflowers.

    • Jacks Creek walking track Jacks Creek walking track threads through a sheltered gorge and upon ridge tops. You’ll enjoy scenic views, plentiful birdwatching and diverse habitats.
    • Store Creek walking track Explore interesting rock formations on Store Creek walking track, only 30 minutes from Griffith. The track is a birdwatcher’s paradise and a wildflower wonderland in spring.
    • Woolshed Falls walking track Woolshed Falls walking track, near Griffith, is located in Cocoparra National Park, close to Woolshed Flat campground. It’s great for walking with kids.

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