Coffs Harbour to Inverell road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Coffs Harbour to Inverell road trip: National Parks

The Grafton to Glen Innes leg of the drive leaves Grafton to the north-west, with the road running parallel to the Clarence River. Ramornie National Park is to the south of the highway and you’ll eventually cross the Mann River at Jackadgery.

The highway then starts climbing through the Great Dividing Range. Nymboida National Park, early on in that climb, is a favourite with kayakers.

For walkers, Gibraltar Range National Park will hold more appeal. There are several walking tracks here. The 6km Needles Walking Track is a popular half day outing, the Junction Spur Walking Track is considerably more adventurous and the 7km Duffer Falls Walking Track builds in waterfall views.

Other waterfalls with lookouts include Lyrebird Falls and Boundary Falls.

Coffs Harbour to Inverell drive: Washpool National Park and Glen Innes

After a zig-zagging climb, the Coffs Harbour to Inverell drive jags south-west into Washpool National Park. There are several more picnic areas, campgrounds and walking tracks to enjoy here, while the Heffron Lookout is the best quick photo stop.

The 8.5km Washpool Walking Track from the Coombadjha Campground is the classic trail. This loop heads through rare coachwood forest towards lookouts and waterfalls. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes out for lyrebirds along the way.

As the highway comes down the back of the Gibraltar Range, you’ll also pass Barool National Park, Mount Mitchell and the Mann River Nature Reserve. The Tommy’s Rock Lookout is the highlight in the latter.

Glen Innes is just on the other side of the Great Dividing Range.

Things to do in Glen Innes include seeing the strange Australian Standing Stones Monument.

Glen Innes accommodation

Glen Innes accommodation options are basically various iterations on the motel. The New England Motor Lodge is the strongest contender, here – it has the most central location and a surprisingly sprawling pool. The Clansman Motel on the New England Highway also has good reviews. Meanwhile the Great Central Hotel does cheap but decent rooms above a pub.

Attractions between Coffs Harbour and Inverell: Glen Innes to Inverell

Shortly after leaving Glen Innes, you’ll come to the Sinclair Lookout, which offers some enjoyable panoramic views over the surrounding green countryside.

The only other stop of note on the Glen Innes to Inverell leg of the drive is the Swan Brook rest area, where you can pull over and stay for free overnight if you so wish.

You’re better off just continuing to Inverell, however.

Things to do in Inverell include the Inverell Pioneer Village, which has brought together several old buildings in one place to provide something of a living history lesson. You can also head to the McIlveen Park Lookout on Tabletop Mountain for marvellous views over the surrounding rumpled landscape.