The Pilliga

STORIES, LANDSCAPE & LIFE

Every heard of the Pilliga Yowie? This vast and sometimes eerie landscape is said to be home to Australia’s own Big Foot, with sightings drawing curious visitors from across the globe.

Beyond the legends, the Pilliga is one of the largest native cypress forests in Australia and a recognised biodiversity hotspot. It’s home to over 900 plants species and more than 300 native animals, including koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, emus and the Pilliga Mouse.

The forest is equally known for its wildflowers which can be found year-round, with particularly vibrant days in spring. The Baradine community has developed dedicated wildflower routes, offering an easy way to experience these seasonal highlights.

cULTURE, HISTORY & INDUSTRY

The name “Pilliga” (or Billarga) comes from the Kamilaroi language, meaning swamp oak. For thousands of years, Aboriginal people have lived in and cared for this landscape, using cultural knowledge and practices such as fire management to sustain the health of the forest.

European settlement began in the 1830s, bringing grazing and significant environmental change. Over time, drought, reduced burning practices and changing land use transformed the open woodland into the dense “scrub” the Pilliga is known for today.

The forest also became the backbone of a thriving timber industry, supporting generations of workers and nearby communities. Millions of railway sleepers were cut from Pilliga ironbark, and cypress pine was widely used for building and fencing. While the industry has scaled back in recent decades, its legacy remains an important part of the region’s story.

A Living Landscape

Fire continues to play an important role in the Pilliga’s ecosystem, helping many plant species regenerate. Under the right conditions, it supports the natural cycle of the forest — though in extreme weather, bushfires can be intense and fast-moving.

As you explore the Pilliga today, you’ll notice layers of this history all around you — from native wildlife and regenerating forest to remnants of past industries and long-standing cultural connections.

Need to know before you go

• Purchase a Pilliga Forest map from the Visitor Information Centre – with over 2,700km of tracks, it’s easy to get lost in the forest.
• Roads can become slippery or impassable in wet weather – always check conditions before heading in.
• Avoid driving in the forest after heavy rain.
• Drive to conditions and stay alert for wildlife.
• Ensure you have plenty of fuel, food and water before entering the forest.
• Let someone know your travel plans before you go.

The Pilliga Forest is full of unique experiences waiting to be explored — from ancient sandstone caves to hidden sculptures and breathtaking lookout points. These spots can certainly be explored unhurried and at your own pace, however the Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre in Baradine will often run tours that dive a bit deeper into the history and cultural significance of our attractions. Be sure to call into either the Narrabri Visitor Centre, or the Baradine office to get the latest information for your visit.

Sandstone Caves

Walk in the footsteps of the Gamilaroi people along the Sandstone Caves walking track in the Pilliga Nature Reserve. This 1.7km loop takes your through scenic forest to impressive sandstone hills, some of which feature ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. Interpretive signage provides insight into the cultural and natural significance of this sacred site.

While this walk is self-guided, you can enhance the experience with a guided tour from an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger.

Distance: 1.7km loop

Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours

Grade: 3 (moderate)

How to get there:

About 81km down the Newell Highway towards Coonabarabran, you’ll find a turn off for the Yaminba Fire Trail. Turn onto this and it’s a short drive to the carpark and beginning of the walk.

Sculptures in the Scrub

Hidden amongst the rugged beauty of the Pilliga Forest, the Sculptures in the Scrub walking track offers a unique blend of art, culture, and nature. Located near the spectacular Dandry Gorge in Timmallallie National Park, this special place was once an important site for the Aboriginal Gamilaraay People and continues to share stories of Country through art and landscape.

The 3 km loop walk features a series of striking sculptures inspired by local history, wildlife, and Aboriginal culture. Developed through collaboration between artists, local Aboriginal Elders, and young people, each artwork reflects a connection to the Pilliga and its stories. Along the trail, interpretive signage provides insight into the artists, the inspiration behind the works, and the cultural significance woven throughout the experience.

Surrounded by towering cypress pines and native bushland, the walk is also a fantastic place to experience the natural beauty of the forest. Wildlife is commonly spotted along the track, including kangaroos, red-necked wallabies, lace monitors, and an array of birdlife such as glossy black cockatoos and turquoise parrots. During spring, the surrounding bush comes alive with vibrant wildflower displays.

Nearby, the Sculptures in the Scrub picnic area and campground provides a peaceful base for exploring the Pilliga. With space for caravans, camper trailers, and tents, it’s an ideal spot to relax amongst the bush, enjoy a picnic or barbecue, and experience the quiet beauty of an outback sunset beneath a sky full of stars.

Distance: 3km loop

Duration: 1 -1.5 hours

Grade: 3 (moderate)

How to get there: From the Narrabri Visitor Information Centre, allow approximately 1 hour 20 minutes travel time. Head south on the Newell Highway toward Coonabarabran for 73 km before turning right onto No. 1 Break Road. Continue along the unsealed road for 18 km (road conditions can vary, so check ahead), then turn left onto Top Crossing Road for 9.5 km. From there, turn onto Dandry Gorge Road, which leads to the picnic area and campground.

Facilities:

• Toilets
• unpowered camping sites
• Bbq facilities
• Picnic tables & Carpark

Salt Caves & Pilliga Forest Lookout Tower

Tucked away in the heart of Timmallallie National Park, the Salt Caves picnic area is one of those quiet Pilliga spots that invites you to slow down for a while. Surrounded by towering cypress pines and the sounds of native birdlife, it’s the perfect place to pull up for a picnic or barbecue while exploring the forest.

The nearby Salt Caves hold deep cultural significance for the Gamilaroi people, with interpretive signage offering insight into the stories and connection to Country that make this area so special.

Just a short walk uphill from the picnic area is the historic Pilliga Forest Lookout Tower — once used as a firewatch tower keeping watch over the vast scrublands below. Climb to the top and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views across the endless canopy of the Pilliga. On a clear day, you can spot the rugged outline of the Warrumbungles to the south-east and Mount Kaputar rising in the north-east.

How to get there: The journey will take you about an hour and roughly 78km south from Narrabri. This one has you turning off a bit earlier into the Pilliga scrub so maps would be handy to have on you and started.

Pilliga Artesian Bore Bath

Relax and soak away aches and stresses in the 37°C mineral-rich waters of the Pilliga Artesian Bo`re Bath. Open 24 hours a day, it’s a favourite spot for swimming, camping, and quiet reflection, with locals and visitors alike drawn to its therapeutic qualities. Enjoy the sunsets, serenity, and the peaceful bush surrounds that Pilliga is known for.

The bore was originally constructed in 1902 as a permanent town water supply after a severe drought. The current pool was installed in 1980 by Tamworth Pool Contractors, with ongoing improvements adding a roof, dressing sheds, toilets, barbecues, and picnic tables.

The Artesian Bore Bath is also a Primitive Campground, offering very basic facilities and no powered sites. A $7 fee per site per night applies, with a maximum stay of four nights.

Book your stay here.

Pilliga Village

Situated 105km west of Narrabri, Pilliga grew from the early timber industry and once served as an important stop on the Cobb and Co route. Today, the town is best known for the Artesian Bore Bath and its quiet, rustic charm.

A wander through the cemetery reveals a fascinating glimpse into the town’s past, including the rough hewn graves of Indian traders, a reminder of the people who shaped Pilliga’s history.

When it’s time to eat or rest, the Pilliga Hotel offers meals, drinks and accommodation while the Pilliga Cafe provides a cosy stop for coffee or a snack.

History Highlights

1830s: Early European squatters settle the area, shaping the landscape and local industry.

1950s: Indian trader Nabob Allem and his family set up in Pilliga, peddling goods in a horse-drawn wagon to grazing families across the western district. He earned the titles of “Kind of the Scrub” and “unofficial Mayor”.

Tucked away amongst the bushland just outside of Coonabarabran, Pilliga Pottery is one of the region’s most unique experiences — part creative retreat, part bush escape, and part outback institution. What began in 1986 as “Barkala” Farm, established by German immigrants Maria and Richard Rickert, has grown into a much-loved destination where art, food, accommodation, and nature all come together.

Built with the help of family, local tradespeople, volunteers, and travellers from around the world, the property has evolved organically over the decades, creating the rustic and character-filled atmosphere visitors experience today. From handcrafted ceramics and woodfired kilns to bush cottages and winding walking trails, everything about Pilliga Pottery reflects a deep connection to the landscape and the slower pace of life in the scrub.

Get Creative

No visit to Pilliga Pottery is complete without getting your hands dirty. Visitors can take part in a range of pottery experiences and workshops, from beginner-friendly clay play sessions through to wheel throwing, glazing, and guided pottery classes.

Whether you’re trying pottery for the first time or already have some experience, the classes offer a relaxed and creative way to slow down and connect with the artistic spirit of the property. Family-friendly activities are available alongside workshops designed for older teens and adults, making it an experience that appeals across generations.

Throughout the year, Pilliga Pottery also hosts special creative workshops, retreats, and events that bring together art, food, nature, and community in the heart of the bush.

Stay in the Bush

Whether you’re staying for a weekend or settling in for a longer escape, Pilliga Pottery offers a range of accommodation options scattered throughout the property. Guests can choose from the charming Old School House, Poet’s Cottage, The Studio, Farmhouse Nest, or spacious camping areas — each thoughtfully created using local materials, recycled treasures, and artistic touches that reflect the identity and creativity of the property.

The grounds are designed for relaxing and reconnecting with nature, with facilities including:

• Swimming pool
• Volleyball area
• Bush camping spaces
• Fenced dog run for four-legged travellers
• Gardens and open bush surrounds

As the sun sets, the property takes on a distinctly Pilliga atmosphere — campfires crackling, birds settling into the trees, and a sky full of stars overhead.

Bushwalking & Exploring

Pilliga Pottery is also a fantastic base for exploring the surrounding bushland. The property features kilometres of scenic walking trails winding through native forest, rocky outcrops, caves, and ridgelines. Spring is particularly spectacular, when wildflowers blanket the bush in colour.

Local bushwalker Kerry Lowe helped map many of the property’s standout walks, uncovering hidden lookouts, caves, and panoramic vantage points throughout the farm. On selected weekends and group bookings, guided bushwalks may also be available.

Popular walks include:

Ridge Top Single Loop — 12 km | 120m elevation gain
Panorama Double Loop — 2.7 km | 100m elevation gain
Hidden Valley Double Loop — 5 km | 120m elevation gain

The trails have also become well-known amongst trail runners, with the property playing host to the annual Pilliga Ultra, where competitors tackle challenging 10km, 20km, and 50km events through the surrounding scrub.

Visitors exploring the trails are encouraged to bring:

• Sensible walking shoes
• Water bottle
• Hat and sunscreen
• Insect repellent

And for the kids? Walkie talkies, bikes, binoculars, and a sense of adventure are highly recommended.

The Blue Wren Café

After a day exploring the bush, settle in at the onsite Blue Wren Café, known for its relaxed atmosphere and hearty meals. The menu features favourites including woodfired pizzas, traditional German sausages and homemade gelato.

How to get there and Visitor Information:

Closer to Coonabarabran than Narrabri, but its such a unique asset to the region as a whole that we’re so happy to pretend to claim it as Narrabri Region.

Head south on the Newell for 91km and you’ll come across the wonderful big sign on the right. It’s about a 10km drive from the main road, with one right turn halfway in.