Murrurundi and surrounds is a very scenic area, 

so when you drive off for the day, dont forget your camera. 

A few of these drives are listed below.

Right on our doorstep

PARADISE PARK - EYE OF THE NEEDLE

Paradise Park  in Murrurundi is a delightful picnic area in semi tropical surroundings; literally at the foot of a steep and densely wooded hill. It is located on Paradise Road past the golf course it has shelters, barbeques, toilets, plenty of birds and at dusk there are usually some wallabies. Take a stroll through the “Eye of the Needle” a rock formation, which is located at the end of the park, a narrow gap wide enough for a person to fit through, which you must pass to reach the summit. The trail continues to the lookout which affords fine views across to the mountains and the valley.

MURRURUNDI HERITAGE WALK

A leisurely stroll through the streets of Murrurundi. Come and see us in the office for a map detailed with information on the heritage buildings you will see on your self guided tour. 

Short drives and day trips

WHO’D A THOUGHT IT LOOKOUT

The Who'd-A-Thought-It Lookout on Who'd-A-Thought-It Hill, Quirindi offers panoramic views of the town, the Liverpool Plains to the west and the Great Dividing Range to the south and to the east beyond Wallabadah. The ridges in the area are the result of major volcanic activity in the past. There is evidence of ancient oceanic coral reefs and beaches in the vicinity..

The origins of the lookout's unusual name are uncertain. The Who'd-A-Thought It Hotel, built on the western side of the hill in 1882, became a popular venue for drinking, sports meetings and horse races. It burned down in 1906. Perhaps the hill was named after the hotel or vice-versa. Local legend maintains that the name derives from the surprise felt by travellers either upon encountering the hotel or by unexpectedly sighting Quirindi once at the top of the rise. There are various stories as to how the hill came to be called 'Who'd A Thought It' but the one most popular with local folk is that of the old bullock driver, who in the searing heat of a mid-December day, was coaxing and bullying his team up the hill. Legend has it that when the team finally made it to the top, the hot and weary bullocky looked down the other side and saw, to his surprise, an old tavern at the foot of the hill. The bullocky's delighted cry was 'Who'd A Thought It'! Today it is a fine picnic spot. To get there follow the Gunnedah signs to the edge of town where you will see a signposted right-hand turn.

BURNING MOUNTAIN

Wingen Mountain, overlooking Burning Mountain. The reclining form of the bereaved Wingen maid can be seen in the profile of the rocks.  Burning Mountain is made of marine and coal-bearing sediments dating back to the early Permian period (around 300 million years ago). It appears that two coal seams, around 16 km to the north of Burning Mountain, somehow ignited and have been burning at a rate of about a metre per year. The distance it has travelled suggests that the underground fire began at least 15,000 years ago, although taking into account periods when the burning may have been much slower, the fire may be a great deal older. Today, a two-metre-thick coal seam is burning around 20 – 30 metres below the surface. There are numerous outlets across the surface of the mountain, made obvious by the death of the surrounding vegetation, yellow sulphur deposits, red iron oxides and white sinter powder around the openings - as well as the heat haze and rising smoke and fumes. Air let in through the openings feeds the fires below, creating a furnace with temperatures around 1700 degrees Celcius. As the coal seam burns and the surrounding rocks are affected by the heat, the land collapses, creating an uneven, rocky landscape. 

WASHPOOLS

Washpools waterhole in Towarri National Park is a natural swimming hole in Middle Brook, only 500m from Washpools picnic area and viewing platform. 

More tempting day trips



Ellerston, the horse stud property owned by the Packer family is just a small drive via Timor Caves, and at Moonan Flat take time to stop at the historic Victoria Hotel on your journey to Barrington Tops. There are driving restrictions in Winter due to the snow and ice, so check out www.barringtontopstourism.com.au  for more information.

A popular day trip to Nundle will give you to chance to visit the Woollen Mill, the Peel Inn Hotel, Arc-en-Ciel trout farm, Sheeba dam and various gold panning areas. 

Check out www.upperhuntercountry.com and www.murrurundi.nsw.au