Experiences
Click on an link for more information
about these attractions in the local area.

Australian Museum Diprotodon and Australia's Megafauna display.	Warrumbungle National Park
Birds of Baradine and the Pilliga	Coonandry Wines
Crystal Kingdom	Wattagan Estate Winery and Herb Gardens
Pilliga Pottery	Pilliga Forestry Office
Siding Spring Observatory	Ken Dundas Didgeridoos
Newcastle Hats
Timor Valley Estate Vineyard

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Australian Museum Diprotodon and Megafauna display

Open daily 9am to 5pm, (except Christmas day) Groups are welcome and a guided tour is available with advance notice. Allow at least a half hour. Entry is free Phone:( 02) 6849 2144

This exhibition is located in the Coonabarabran Visitor Centre and includes the skeleton of a giant Diprotodon, the largest marsupial ever to live. Likened to a giant wombat, these  marsupials roamed the area over 30,000 years ago. The skeleton was unearthed to the east of Coonabarabran at Tambar Springs in 1979. This display includes murals, information boards and fascinating artefacts related to the Australian Megafauna.

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Birds of Baradine and the Pilliga

Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre: 1800 242 881

The Pilliga State Forest is regarded as a birdwatcher's paradise with about 240 bird species already recorded. A comprehensive brochure, which includes a list of the birds and information about the bird routes, is available from the Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre and Baradine Forestry Office. Detailed maps of the Pilliga are also sold here. There are 8 self drives routes which vary in length from 52 km to 80 km.

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Crystal Kingdom

Open daily 8am - 5pm (except Christmas Day). Free entry. Bookings are appreciated for larger groups and a visit can take up to one hour. Phone: (02) 6842 1927 Fax: (02) 6842 4135 Website: www.crystalkingdom.com.au

The "Minerals of the Warrumbungles" is Australia's first one-locality mineral and fossil display. Here you will find out all about our two extinct volcanoes, see the world's rarest and most colourful Zeolite crystals and learn about some of the area's fossil past. The shop has a large variety of crystals, crystal and gemstone jewellery, amber, set and unset opals and sapphires to choose from. Local crystals, mineral and fossil specimens from all over the world are also available.

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Pilliga Pottery

Pilliga Pottery is 35 km north of Coonabarabran along the Newell Highway. The last 10 km from the Highway are unsealed. Visitors can spend up to 2 hours at the Pottery and then have time for morning or afternoon tea. Open every day 9am - 6pm Free entry Phone/Fax: (02) 6842 2239 Website: www.pilligapottery.com.au

Experience the friendly and creative atmosphere of Australia's most famous bush pottery. Nestled on the edge of the Pilliga Forest, Pilliga Pottery is the only pottery in Australia to use a specialized technique of applying bright glazes and engravings to terracotta. This produces a stunning lead light effect, which brings their unique designs to life. Pottery lovers will find a vast selection of pottery ranging from small gift and kitchenware to large hand thrown pots, vases and urns. The setting of Pilliga Pottery is of the most unusual architecture. It is an educational experience watching the potters and artisans at work. The "Blue Wren" Bush Café provides morning and afternoon teas.

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Siding Spring Observatory

Visiting the Observatory Exhibition Centre and Viewing Gallery of the Anglo-Australian Telescope can take from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Open Mon - Fri 9:30am - 4pm, Sat - Sun 10am - 4pm (except Good Friday & Christmas Day) Phone: 02 6842 6211 Fax: 02 6842 6226 Website: www.sidingspringobservatory.com.au

Siding Spring Observatory is Australia's foremost optical astronomy research centre and home of the giant 3.9 m mirror Anglo Australian telescope.  Professional astronomers from around the world come here to research our vast solar system and beyond. You too can visit the observatory during the day and discover fascinating facts about our universe in the Exploratory Centre. There are also special 3km 'behind the scenes walking tours'  of the astronomy headquarters conducted weekdays by appointment for groups - minimum size is 15 persons. Bookings are essential and tours are subject to weather conditions. Tours for groups and schools including a talk by an Astronomer are available by pre-booking. You can also relax in the coffee lounge and browse through a great range of gadgets in the science gift shop. Please note Siding Spring Observatory is closed to the public at night when the astronomers are working. Towing vans and trailers up Siding Spring mountain is prohibited.

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Warrumbungle National Park

During Autumn, Winter & Spring school holidays the National Park and Wildlife Service provides a special Discovery Program. Programmes are available at the Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre during school holidays. Park Visitor Centre: Phone: (02) 6825 4364 Open 7 days 9am - 4pm For Discovery Program: (02) 6842 1311

Warrumbungle National Park encompasses the weathered volcanic cores and remnants of an ancient volcano, some 13 million years old. Situated on a sealed road 36km west of Coonabarabran, the combination of forested ridges, rocky spires and domes, deep gorges and plenty of camping make it one of the most popular national parks in NSW. It's a great place to see wildlife up close with kangeroos, emus, goannas, koalas and over 200 species of native birds just some of the local residents. One of the Parks many highlights include the spectacular 'Breadknife, Grand High Tops' track, known as one of Australia's top ten walks! Visitors can also choose from a range of excellent mapped walking trails varying from 1 km with easy access for children and those with disabilities, to 18km challenging hikes surveying the magnificent Warrumbungle Ranges. Powered and bush camping sites are available at Camp Blackman with facilities including hot showers and free electric barbeques. Please note camping is offered on a first come first served basis. Campers should also bring their own firewood into the Park for campfires. Bagged wood is available at the centre. The Warrumbungle Visitor Centre is open each day from 9am to 4pm to provide information on walks and camping. Basic food and drinks, books, maps and souvenirs are also available at the Centre.

Click on the image for enlarged view	Coonandry Wines
At present, Coonandry Wines is only open from 10am to 5pm on weekends, although it may be opened at other times by appointment. Wine tasting and sales are conducted from the Cellar Door. Phone/Fax: (02) 6842 1649 Email: coonandrywines@tpg.com.au	Coonandry Wines is situated 4 km north of Coonabarabran on the Dandry Road, in a picturesque setting surrounded by Whitegums. Established in 1993 the winery consists of 5 acres containing a mixture of two varieties of wine grapes. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are currently available.

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Wattagan Estate Winery

Open Fri - Mon 10am - 5pm Tues - Thurs by appointment only. The large parking area allows for easy access for coaches and caravans. Phone: (02) 6842 2456 Fax: (02) 6842 2656 Email: wattwine@tpg.com.au

The winery is located 10 minutes (15 km) from Coonabarabran along the Oxley Highway towards Gunnedah and is open every day for wine tasting and cellar sales, morning and afternoon teas and light luncheons. Dinner is available for group bookings and functions are catered for. Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, 'Bungles' Mountain Merlot, 'Pop's Pilliga Piss', Pilliga Tawny Port and Bungles Bubbly are all available. Emu oil is the main ingredient in the soaps, creams and ointments. Group tours are welcome for tasting and demonstration of Emu oil products with advanced notice

	Pilliga Forestry Office
Visitors welcome Open 8.30 am to 4.30 pm Phone: (02) 6843 1607 Email: martinli@sf.nsw.gov.au	Situated in Baradine, 42 km north west of Coonabarabran, this office is the management centre for forestry operations in the Pilliga. The office itself reflects the timber heritage of the area with paneling and furniture milled from local timbers. This is a good place to stop, have a look around or pick up a map and information on the Pilliga Forest, the Aloes, the Salt Caves and the Bird Routes.

Click on the image for enlarged view	Newcastle Hats
Ask the staff at Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre for a town map which highlights the location of Newcastle Hats. Open 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday Free entry Ph: (02) 6842 5041	A well known company in NSW, Newcastle Hats is a factory outlet located on the northern edge of town. This factory outlet includes a showroom where visitors can try on an extensive range of cool and comfortable hats that vary from fashionable akubra's to factory second bargains. Groups are welcome and a tour is available with advance notice.

Click on the image for enlarged view	Timor Valley Estate Vineyard
Open 10am - 5pm Fri to Tues School hols open 7 days  Ph: (02) 6842 1496             Email: dirule@bigpond.com	A new boutique wine sales outlet has opened for tastings and sales en-route to Warrumbungle National Park. Sample shiraz, rose and Riesling. Look for the 'wheely" fence 6km west of Coonabarabran.

Click on the image for enlarged view	Ken Dundas
Open 7 days, flexible hours            24 North St Coonabarabran Ph: (02) 6842 3130	Authentic carved and semi-carved didgeridoos are available for sale at Ken's home.