Grafton to Inverell road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Grafton to Inverell road trip: Washpool walking track
The classic trail on the Grafton to Glen Innes section of the drive, however, is the 8.5km Washpool Walking Track. Departing from the Coombadjha Campground, this loop takes in rare coachwood forest, several lookouts and waterfalls. There’s also a good chance of seeing a lyrebird along the way.
As the highway descends through the Gibraltar Range, Barool National Park, Mount Mitchell and the Mann River Nature Reserve offer more green spaces to explore. The best views in the latter arguably come from the Tommy’s Rock Lookout.
The first sizable town on the Grafton to Inverell drive is the strangely Celtic-feeling Glen Innes.
Things to do in Glen Innes include admiring the bizarre 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.
Next section: Towards Inverell.