Upper Hunter Scenic Drive

Belltrees Shearing Shed

The Scone to Barrington Tops Scenic Drive is a pleasant way to see beautiful parts of the Upper Hunter Valley in NSW Australia.

• Driving distance is 210 km , which will take about 3.5hrs driving time. Make a full day of the drive and stroll along some of the short bush walks on the way. Take a picnic or eat at one of the local hotels.

• The drive includes 104 km of gravel road, which is suitable for all vehicles

• In winter, some roads within Barrington Park maybe closed temporarily by snow. Check with the VIC, NPWS or police if in doubt.

The Route in Brief 
Scone – Gundy – Belltrees – Moonan Flat – Barrington Tops Circuit – Moonan Flat – Belltrees – Scone

The Detailed Route

0km Scone Turn off the New England Highway at the southern end of town onto Gundy Road.

5km 24 km circular DETOUR via Glenbawn Rd/Allan Bridge Rd/ Segenhoe Rd will take you past Glenbawn Dam, a number of famous horse studs, and over the historic Allan Suspension Bridge.

20km Gundy A tiny rural village with toilet faculties, Gundy General Store and the Linga Longa Inn.

24 km Waverley Road DETOUR via Ellerston. This road follows the Isis Eiver past the Belltrees Polo ground, and Waverley Station to the Timor area where you leave the Nundle Road turning right over Sergeant’s Gap and rejoin Hunter Road at Ellerston. It is another 3 kms to the Tomalla Road turnoff on your left – see below

Belltrees Homestead

35km Belltrees Excellent view of the Belltrees 44 stand shearing shed designed by J. Horbury Hunt. Glimpses of the beautiful historic Belltrees homestead can also be seen. Just after crossing the Hunter at Belltrees is the side road to Stewarts Brook– an old gold mining area of the 19^th centaury. Hunter Rd follows the Hunter River through predominantly beef cattle properties to

Moonan Flat suspension bridge

52km Moonan Flat Tiny rural village, a general store and the Victoria Hotel. Walk across the suspension foot bridge over the Hunter River. There are picnic areas on the river bank. Prior to the advent of motor vehicles as the normal form of transport, Moonan Flat was an important service centre for the top end of the Hunter Valley. Follow the Hunter River along Hunter Road and turn right onto

Barrington Tops

65km Tomalla Rd which climbs from the Hunter River to the Barrington Tops Plateau. There are spectacular views across Ellerston Station to the Great Dividing Range from Nundle area to Walcha. After passing Hunter Springs (The tiny creek you cross is the beginning of the Hunter River on its 400km long journey to the Pacific Ocean at Newcastle.) Turn right onto

81km Pheasant Creek Rd Through the Barrington Tops State Conservation Area and Barrington Tops State Forest. Continue left at the

Henry’s Bridge over Manning River

86km Pheasant Creek Rd / Tubrabucca Rd intersection. Continue left on the Pheasant Creek Rd through the forest to

89km Henry’s Bridge over the Manning River. A spacious picnic area beside the river.

94km Pheasant Creek Rd / Dilgry Circle intersection Turn LEFT onto the Dilgry Circle. Continue through the forest to

Banksia Picnic Area

101km Banksia Picnic Area To discover a secluded picnic area – a great place to have lunch - follow the dirt track upstream for 100 m. Continue, turning RIGHT at the

105km Dilgry Circle / Barrington Tops Forest Rd intersection onto Barrington Tops Forest Rd. Continue west to

108km Honey Suckle Picnic Area [and Pheasant Creek Rd intersection]. Take a 25 minute 1km walking loop through a temperate rainforest of Antarctic Beech and tree ferns. Continue west to

Devil’s Hole Lookout

122km Devil’s Hole Lookout and Picnic Area Follow the short paved path, suitable for wheel chairs, to the lookout platform. You'll fin picnic tables and toilets here, all of which are suitable for wheelchairs. All facilities are linked by paved pathways, including wider passing sections along the walk to the lookout.A magnificent vista over the Wilderness Area to the Gloucester Tops section of the National Park and beyond. Continue west to

Polblue Swamp Picnic Area

129km Polblue Swamp Picnic and Camping Area Polblue Creek winds through the sphagnum swamp. Enjoy a 3 km walk around these highland wetlands. Continue west to

138km The Firs Picnic Area A short, 5 minute loop walk through the pine forest with a good chance of seeing lyre birds along the way. Continue west to

Moonan Flat suspension bridge

140km Dingo Gate Picnic Area The Moonan Lookout provides spectacular views to the South towards Wollemi N.P. From the Dingo Gate there is a long winding decent to Moonan Brook. There are breathtaking views at almost every turn. Continue down to the

152km Moonan Brook Road T-intersection. Turn RIGHT. (DETOUR The road to the left follows Moonan Brook to the village – an old gold mining area.)

157km Moonan Brook Road / Hunter Rd intersection. Turn LEFT to return to Moonan Flat and Gundy. The Victoria Hotel or the Linga Longa Inn could be just the place for dinner on the way back to

210km Scone.

Great Country Pub Song

Moonan Flat is definitely on the map in the country music world. Susan Ranson wrote the song "The Victorian Hotel" about the towns pub. She performed it with her band "Byg Swig" at the recent 2011 Tamworth Country Music Festivals. It won first prize in the "Great Country Pub Song Competition" with a prize of $2,500.

Susan said "The best moment was when they called my name, there were screams from everyone. I didn't think we had it, I'd already put my guitar in the car." "Our song had humor and a beat that people could get up and dance to, I think that made the difference." "A lot of other songs were very informative and you could tell they were very proud of their local, but people were dancing during ours." " I got my inspiration from the personalities and locals at the pub and the Vic's history, it is well over 100 years old."

A visit to "The Victorian Hotel" at Moonan  Flat is a must for anyone visiting the Upper Hunter region of NSW in Australia. You may even hear Susan Ranson and Byg Swg perform "The Victorian Hotel".