Horton Falls National Park

A great day trip from Tamworth, Horton Falls National Park protects the headwaters of the Gwydir River. It's divided by the tranquil Horton River, characterised by pools, cascades, gorges and the dramatic Horton Falls that drop 83 metres. Your best chance to view these majestic falls is from spring through to autumn when the weather is warmer and the river is flowing after local rainfall. It's also a great time to see vibrant wildflower displays of native bluebells and guinea flowers. If you're a keen photographer, make the short 100-metre stroll to Horton Falls lookout. Here, you can capture the perfect shot of the Horton River cascading into the deep valley below. If the sight of all this water makes you keen for a cool, refreshing dip, take a scenic 250-metre walk to the magical Upper Falls, where water cascades over small rocky cliffs into a delightful swimming hole. Keep your eyes peeled for the many bird species that reside here. You might spot turquoise parrots feeding on grasses or eastern yellow robins sitting on low branches in the woodlands. At the end of an action-packed day, hunker down at the rustic Horton Falls campground.