Where Severn River enters a steep gorge, you’ll find The Dungeon, with this lookout offering superb views down into the swell, particularly after rain.
After rain, the Severn River churns with extra volume, its water rushing in thunderous flow. A deep river gorge called The Dungeon is the most dramatic passage, with steep walls and granite cascades. This lookout takes you to the top of the gorge, with a scenic view down into the swell. Be sure to keep an eye on the kids – there are cliffs nearby and surfaces are slippery in the wet.
The lookout also offers fine views across the surrounding countryside, with white cypress pines, tumbledown gums, and ironbarks. On your way to the lookout, you’ll pass open plains areas with eastern grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies.
The best time to see animals is September through to March. There are a number of migratory birds that you won’t see until spring. Mornings and evenings are best for visits, especially on hot days; avid hikers can extend their day by continuing on Junction walk, then settle down for a long barbecue at one of the tables in Lemon Tree Flat campground.
Inverell Pioneer Village is a collection of authentic historic buildings and homes from Inverell and the surrounding Districts dating from 1841 set in a peaceful village environment.
Displays in the Pioneer Village include Grove Homestead which was originally built in 1841, Keera Station Blacksmith's Shop showing the tools of trade of the early blacksmith, The Mining Museum housing a collection of photographs and mining tools dating from the late 1800s from the Inverell, Tingha and Emmaville Districts, Rob Roy Hall with the George Devine Photographic and Camera Museum and the old Inverell Hospital Ward housing the RSL Museum of Militaria and memorabilia from all the wars in which Inverell District has been represented.
Visitors to the village can also try their luck at finding a sapphire in the wash pond.
Groups and coaches are catered for by prior arrangement and the village is available for functions.
Please be aware that Pioneer Village may be closed due to wet weather and/or for private functions.
The Inverell Art Gallery has a diverse range of original art and craft items on display and for sale.
The Gallery is placed within two unique heritage buildings, the old School of Arts building built in 1877, and Butler Hall which served as a supper room for balls and other social events.
The buildings were combined in 1995 to accommodate a fast growing Art Gallery. The Gallery is also home to over 100 art acquisitions purchased on behalf of the community, for the community.
The "Meandering Macintyre" footpath mosaic is located outside the Art Gallery. The mosaic was constructed on 90 by 120 centimetre panels joined to form a 94 metre long path, which depicts native Australian wildflower, local birds, insects, fish, animals and reptiles, and represents the flow of the Macintyre River, which flows through Inverell.
Kings Plains National Park, on the New England Tablelands, offers excellent bushwalking, swimming and seasonal waterfalls.
Set among the rolling farmlands of New England Tablelands, Kings Plains National Park is a destination for the adventurous, independent traveller. Bushwalking along the creek, with its pools and rapids, to Kings Plain Falls is the park’s biggest attraction. Hiking or mountain biking along the park’s 15 kilometres of management trails takes you through grassy and shrubby woodlands, and a rare forest of McKies stringybark.
Along the way, those into birdwatching and wildlife-spotting will be in for a treat – you can expect to see all sorts of birds and wildlife, from brightly coloured turquoise parrots and crimson rosellas to eastern grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies.
Take a picnic and relax on the edge of one of the waterholes.
Lake Inverell was formed in 1938 when the dam wall across the Macintyre River just upstream of Inverell was completed.
Lake Inverell Reserve is now a peaceful aquatic sanctuary close to town. The area is home to a large variety of birds, platypus, kangaroos, wallabies and waterbirds, and is a popular area for barbecues, walking, bird watching and fishing. Dogs are permitted on a lead within the reserve.
There are two walking tracks provided. Lake Inverell Walk is a three-kilometre return trip, easy grade walk. Keen walkers can continue on the Barayamal Walk, which passes through Barayamal National Park, and is a medium grade six-kilometre return trip walk. Dogs are not permitted in Barayamal National Park.
Barbecue and picnic areas are available for your use, and fishing and non-powered boats are permitted on the lake.
Adjacent to a well-equipped picnic area, Macintyre Falls lookout offers scenic views over the river, with nearby swimming, hiking and fishing opportunities.
Just a short drive from Lemon Tree Flat campground is Macintyre Falls picnic area, with tables and barbecues offering an ideal place to settle down for lunch in the shade of white cypress pines. Before you do though, follow a 200 metre trail to Macintyre Falls lookout, with great views and birdwatching over the high, scenic gorge and rushing waterfall.
While it’s tempting to linger here, there are plenty of other attractions in the surrounding area to compete for your attention. Steps and a boardwalk have been built right down to the river (600 metres), where a plunge pool provides a terrific swimming spot surrounded by nature. At a small adjacent beach you can also swim under the towering cliff on the Macintyre’s northern bank.
Bring a fishing rod too: Murray cod, catfish, and golden perch are plentiful in the water. Be sure to mind the slippery rocks though.
Enjoy the magnificent views to the east over the township of Inverell and ranges from the Mcilveen Park Lookout viewing platform.
The lookout is located on Tabletop Mountain. Turnoff is approximately three and a half kilometers west of the town of Inverell, off the Gwydir Highway.
Picnic areas and a children's swing are provided for you to use while enjoying the views.
Mcilveen Park Lookout is easily accessible for coaches, caravans and motorhomes.
The National Transport Museum consists of a display of over 120 exhibits. Cars, trucks, fire engines, motorcycles, bicycles, pedal cars, scooters and numerous models and transport related items make up the ever changing display.
As well as a huge variety of the more popular makes of vehicles, there are some rare and exotic creations on display such as a 1906 Dayton which is believed to be the only working one left worldwide, a 1912 Renault as well as two of the carriages from the Sydney Monorail.
The museum also houses varied display's such as antique dolls and wedding dresses, a decorated cake display, working model train, sewing machine collection and large library with rare manuals.
For sensational gorge views and fantastic river fishing, Slippery Rock walking track is a great introduction to the dramatic landscape of Kwiambal National Park. About an hour’s drive from Inverell, it offers great birdwatching and abundant wildlife. It’s an ideal nature escape for independent travellers and adventurous walkers who love getting ‘off the beaten track’.
As the name implies, this rough track involves several short steep climbs and some clambering over rocks. However, the effort is well worth it as you gaze across the fast flowing waters of Macintyre River, with its deep granite gorges, thundering waterfalls amid tranquil bush surroundings.
Keep an eye out for eastern grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies, and an ear out for the raucous chatter of sulphur-crested cockatoos.
