Northern New South Wales has a lot of good country that’s worth exploring if you are into camping and four wheel driving. If you’re from Southeast Queensland and planning a group get-together then Woodenbong is just 10 kilometres over the border, and a central meeting place for drives to the east, west and south. It’s a small town, but you can pick up a good coffee and last minute supplies.
One southern route takes drivers along the Clarence Way, initially on sealed roads and through beautiful farmlands and forests. The condition of the road does deteriorate the further you progress, and eventually once it crosses the Bruxner Highway it turns to gravel. From here the twists and turns of the road follow the Clarence River, although most of the time you won’t get more than a glimpse of it.
About four hours after leaving Brisbane, it arrives at the doorstep of Wave Hill Station and Farm Stay. Steve Ibbott runs cattle on his five thousand hectare spread, but he also offers camping facilities to those who want to experience the outback at a convenient distance from the coast. But you will need a four wheel drive to see the very best of it.
Wave Hill Station and Farm Stay is a 5000 hectare beef cattle property that borders the Clarence River in Northern New South Wales. It also offers back to basics camping for four wheel drivers with a sense of adventure. A series of tracks wind from the homestead to some great vantage points on the mighty Clarence River. Some of the drives can be quite challenging, but the payoff is amazing views.
Visitors are welcome to bring their kayak or canoe, and fishing gear. Australian Bass are often caught in deeper holes along this stretch of the river.
If you are wanting to camp here you will need to bring everything – including drinking water – because facilities only stretch to long drop toilets. But you can have a campfire and there’s plenty of firewood to collect. Dogs are allowed as long as they are strictly supervised, because you’ll come across cattle on some of the drives. For those looking for extra comfort there are a pair of safari tents overlooking the gorge, and there are two cottages and a lodge at different spots around the property.
Four wheel drives need to have reasonable clearance, and due to conditions, there is no access during wet weather. To be sure if you’re vehicle is properly set up, head in to your local ARB store.
