Discover the Pilliga

The Pilliga National Park

Wild and remote classic Australian landscape. Pilliga is traditional Country of the Gamilaroi People and their connection to the land is visible throughout Country today. National Parks

LOCATION NEW SOUTH WALES

Pilliga Sandstone Caves Nov2022

Partially clouded morning light helps to get detail both inside and outside the cave.

Pilliga Sandstone Caves Moss Nov 2022

Sandstone Caves in the Pilliga Nature Reserve. 34km from Coonabarabran

Pilliga Sandstone Caves Nov 2022

In the Pilliga Nature Reserve. Formed by vast layers of sediment laid down in a series of lakes many million years ago (in the Jurassic age).

Pilliga Sandstone Caves Walk Nov 2022

Exterior caves are covered in moss due to prolonged wet weather.

Sandstone Cave Red Nov 2022

There are many caves all around the outcrop of various sizes. Visiting in the morning there is less direct light on the bigger caves. Most dramatic caves are on the western side

Large Sandstone Caves

Window views to outside the caves contrasting beautifully with the bush landscape

Sandstone Caves Walk track Nov 2022

Well formed pathways flanked with pretty spring flowering scrub. Note that though short is a very hot walk in summer

Sandstone Caves hollows

The weathering and erosion has created some great honeycomb effects as well as window views to outside the caves

Pilliga National Park 2022

Pilliga National Park Creek Nov 2022

Creek is about half way along sculpture walk.

Sculpture Garden Nov 2022

There are 5 sculpture areas along the Sculptures in the Scrub Pilliga walk. I have only shown 2 to leave the discovery to you. This one represents the indigenous and white man (axe head)

Pilliga Sculpture Walk Nov 2022

Well formed walking track 3km return. a lot of steps down to creek.

Sculpture Garden People

the sculptures were created as a collaboration between artists and the Gamilaraay Elders

Pilliga National Park

the blackened trucks of the 2019 fires still stands strong against the rich coloured earth, blue skies and green regrowth in the area.

Pilliga Forest is an iconic Australian landscape offering rugged beauty on a grand scale. Rich red earth and soft grey-green foliage set against deep blue skies, the colour schemes alone are worth the look.

The area is steeped in Aboriginal history, with the Salt caves and Sandstone caves significant shelter locations for their peoples (would love some images of the Salt caves, if anyone would like to submit some via the map

LOCATION TIPS:
You will find the entrance road to the Sandstone caves market as Yaminba Trail off the Newell Hwy approximately 34km North of Coonabarabran. The road is dirt and 2wd accessible with the walking trail not too far along. TOILETS have been installed along the walking track

Follow this link for the best driving directions to the Sculptures in the Scrub walk, picnic and campgrounds. via Baradine. Approx 25km dirt but 2wd accessible.

CREATIVE INSPIRATION

The layering and carved effects of weathering in the Sandstone Caves is an artwork in itself. At both the Sculpture Park and caves, you will find an abundance of scrub plants knitting and weaving against the rich coloured soil, a pallet worth exploring. At the moment, there is also a gorgeous stark contrast between the burned trunks of 2019 Fires and the soft tones of shrubbery.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The Sandstone caves is your best photo location. Partialy clouded morning light helps to get detail both inside and outside the cave. Morning also avoids the strong contrast between the shadows, direct sunlight, and white sandstone of an afternoon. The weathered sanstone results in beautiful shapes, colours and holes with great layered textures

PUBLIC ART

The Sculptures in the Scrub walk in Timmallallie National Park showcases award-winning sculptures that celebrate Aboriginal culture and history. In the Sanstone Caves you will spot Aboriginal rock art and carvings in the rock, along certain parts of the track way above your head

GALLERY

Pilliga Pottery and Farm Stay has a great selection of hand-crafted pottery items, and also offer pottery work shops. Dandry Rd, Coonabarabran NSW 2357 (Click on icon to got to website for details)

WALKS

Sandstone Caves is an easy walking track 1.7km loop through classic Australian scrup. the Sculptures in the Scrub walk in Timmallallie National Park is 3km rtn. Steep section to get down to the beautiful creek. Ther is also over 60kms of scenic bush walking tracks on the Pilliga Pottery property

*FREE

$6 booking fee. Sculptures in the Scrub picnic area and campground 1km along Dandry Gorge Rd. Timmallallie National Park. FREE BBQ . TENT . CARAVAN . WALK . DROP TOILET . TABLES . PHONE RECEPTION ALONG WALKING TRACK (Tap icon to visit website)

***BUDGET

Yarrie Lake Camping. 173 Lake Circuit FIRE PIT . TENT . CARAVAN . POWER . WALK . FLUSH TOILET . SHOWER . SWIM . TABLES . (Tap icon to visit website)

****UNIQUE

Pilliga Pottery and Farm Stay. 5 Unique Accommodation options for 2-5 people in each OLD SCHOOL HOUSE . POETS COTTAGE . STUDIO . WALKS . CAFE . WALKS . CAFE . POOL . DOG . (Tap icon to visit website)

****OMG

Pilliga Pottery and Farm Stay. 5 options for 2-5 people in each, with the most gorgeous the OLD SCHOOL HOUSE enchanting octagonal “fairy tale castle”, hand-crafted from local timbers. POETS COTTAGE earthy and ambient building . STUDIO with hand-crafted beds and chunky beams in large living areas . WALKS . CAFE . POOL . DOG (Tap icon to visit website)