ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
Here's a guide of the natural treasures Hometown INVERELL would like to share with you but by sharing these with you we also share a responsibility to preserve them over the years so that they are still available for future generations and are a safe home to our fauna and flora. For your Adventure Holiday we recommend the Fossickers Rest Tourist Park, LOT 3 Lake Inverell Drive, Inverell NSW 2360 Phone: (02) 6722 2261. Please be aware that all Park Visitors need proof of being double vaccinated for COVID 19!
KAYAKING: Lake Inverell - Copeton Dam - Pindari Dam
Copeton Dam is one of the largest inland dams in NSW with a capacity of 1,364,000 megalitres, nearly three times that of Sydney Harbour. It is a very popular sport and recreation spot, located 35km south-west of Inverell on the NSW Northern Tablelands. It also has a developed side at the Northern Foreshores of Copeton Dam located 17 kilometres from Inverell on the Auburn Vale Road. More to come……………………..
Pindari Dam is located on the Severn River about 22 kilometres upstream from Ashford and about 58 km from Inverell. The original dam was completed in 1969. In 1997 an upgrade was completed to increase the storage capacity from 37,500 megalitres to 312,000 megalitres. The catchment of Pindari is one the best around and the dam fills quite quickly during good rains. Pindari Dam is a great place for a relaxing camping holiday, a fishing trip or a weekend barbecue. More to come…………..
FISHING: Macintyre River - Lake Inverell - Gwydir River - Copeton Dam - Pindari Dam
Inverell has a lot of fishing waters, within an hour’s drive there is Pindari, Copeton and further south Split Rock. With a great river system covering the whole area there is a big freshwater population of fish
To the east you also have ttrout in the hills, out to Cod in the waters around Inverell. The variety of freshwater species people can catch from Inverell is more than a lot of most other places in NSW.
Horse riding at Bingara.
John has guided trail rides along the banks of the Gwydir River for more than 20 years. I photographed one of the trails for a magazine and since I always have taken my visitors to Bingara for what is what of the greatest experiences you can have. Locals, visitors, learner riders wanting riding lessons and anyone else smitten by a love of horses and horse riding have come, and keep coming back, to enjoy the ride of their life in one of the most beautiful areas of the region.
Locally owned and operated Wade Horses Bingara boast an excellent team of horses which includes gentle, heavy horse breeds able to carry the largest and smallest riders. From 6 years of age up, all riding abilities can be accommodated as the experienced staff match the mount to the rider’s ability. First time riders through to experienced riders who enjoy a canter or gallop in a safe environment are guaranteed a great time!…………. More to come
Photos above: German female Football Team visiting Bingara
Bushwalking Lake Inverell and Goonoowigall
Bushwalking Tracks at Lake Inverell
Lake Inverell is a peaceful aquatic sanctuary very close to the town. The whole area is home to some wonderful fauna and flora. On your walk you will find a variety of woodland birds, waterbirds, platypus, kangaroos, wallabies. The whole area is popular for, bush walking, bird watching and fishing. As long as your dog is on a lead the dog is permitted within the reserve allowing you to take your best friend with you.
There are two major walking tracks at Lake Inverell The. Lake Inverell Walk is a three kilometre return trip, and is classed as an easy walk. For a longer and a little more demanding ding walk the bush walkers can continue on to the Barayamal Walk. That walk passes through Barayamal National Park, and is classed as a medium six kilometre return trip walk. Unfortunately dogs are not permitted in Barayamal National Park.
Lake Inverell has just gone through a major upgrade and you will find a boardwalk along the Lake a viewing platform with shelter, a playground and Barbecue and picnic areas are plentiful for you to use.
Bushwalking at Goonoowigall Bushland Reserve
The Goonoowigall bushland reserve is located 5 km from Inverell town centre to the south on Tingha road. You will find a parking area with picnic tables and maps of the area.
It is steep and hilly country with lots of large granite boulders and ironbark and gum trees lining your walking trail.. The abundance of wildlife with over 100 species of birds, wallabies and numerous species of reptiles making the Goonoowigall walk an attractive choice for the visitor.
Signs right from the parking lot show you the short (2km) Nhunta Karra Kara track, but for the more advanced walkers you will find a track called Thunderbolt track (and that walk is 4km long). The Thunderbolt Track winds its way through the forest and then you start climbing quite steeply up to a look-out with good views back to Inverell.
On your Thunderbolt track journey you will find a link-track to the Middle Creek whereby can walk walk in the valley below. 150 years ago the valley was mined mainly by Chinese miners mining tin and some of the remains of the settlements and mining activity can be seen on this walk. You can also venture of to the Thunderbolt Lookout which will take you to spectacular balancing boulders with a view over the Middle Creek valley below.
Lake Inverell Cycling Track
Inverell’s professional cyclist Heinrich Haussler Jnr. is pleased to see the circuit finished and now open to the public.
Off-road recreational cycling circuit
The construction of the $1.4 million criterium circuit track and sports facility by Inverell Shire Council has been completed and is now open to the public
“The off-road cycling circuit provides a place for families, and individuals, to ride their bikes outdoors in a safe location which is safe and away from the dangers of the roads
“As you enter the facility from the Lake Inverell Drive, you will find a map that outlines the facility track circuit so you can plan the distance and loops you want to ride.
The circuit also provides an official venue to host competitions like bike racing,, duathlons, triathlons, fun runs and cross country events.
“The track has been designed to comply with Cycling NSW racing requirements and could be used for Cycling NSW official racing.
Fossicking at Inverell
Inverell was once famous for its beautiful sapphires, quartz crystals, and gemstones. The history of sapphire in Australia stretches back for over 150 years. In 1854 sapphire were reportedly found in the New England area of New South Wales.
The discoveries near Inverell on the New England tableland and at Sapphire and Rubyvale in Central Queensland lead to the development of Australia’s commercial Sapphire Mining Industry. It also made Inverell known as the Saphire City but today that term is rather outdated and the City is now more known for its recreational values and the wonderfull waterways and landmarks that attract the visitor. Nevertheless you can still fossick and explore the areas mining history. A great place to visit for your fossicking adventure is Billabong Blue Sapphire Fossicking Park.
They will look after you and supply you with what you need. They also have some of the best cut Sapphires you find anywhere for sale at their town shop beside the Tourist Information Centre at Inverell.