Top Things to do in Coonabarabran
What to do and see in Coonabarabran, New South Wales: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Coonabarabran, Australia including Milroy Observatory with Donna the Astronomer, Warrumbungle National Park, Siding Spring Observatory, Sandstone Caves, Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre, Pilliga Pottery, Crystal Kingdom.
Restaurants in Coonabarabran
1. Milroy Observatory with Donna the Astronomer
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 131 reviews
We provide outdoor stargazing through telescopes at Milroy Observatory. Milroy Observatory is a dark sky site bordering on the Warrumbungle Dark Sky Park 10kms from Coonabarabran. Here you can enjoy amazing views of the Southern night sky. We operate night sky tours on all clear nights. Bookings are essential. The show starts with a tour of the evening sky with Donna the Astronomer and then a number of bright and deep sky objects are observed with our outdoor telescopes. See planets, galaxies, nebulas and star clusters amongst other amazing night sky wonders. Her friendly, easy-going style ensures the group has fun, as well as learning about the wonders of the night sky. There are only 2 rules - have fun and ask questions! We are family-friendly and work to ensure everyone has a good time. The show is hands-on and you look at lots of interesting objects through the telescope. We are just now beginning to be able to see the glory of the Milky Way each night.
Reviewed By 860melindaa
Donna and team were fantastic. Was an interesting night and loads of fun for the whole family. It was amazing to see so much in the night sky.
2. Warrumbungle National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 340 reviews
Reviewed By NolicReggib - Sydney, Australia
Finding this trail head is easy as it is just off the road with its own dedicated car park. Reading the provided information at the start of the trail, it suggests you do the circuit anti clockwise. We did it clockwise for no other reason except the circuit started there. Was a great choice. Although steep, the track breaks down into sections with rock scrambling early on which allows for some great views straight away. Distracts from the elevation gain and gives you excuses for multiple breaks whilst taking pictures. As you get higher the track even flattens out a little before you have to do some significant climbing and descending before you reach the gate to the summit. Great views again over this stretch allow for breaks and pictures. Once at the gate, there is a warning which doesn’t give credit to the adventure you are about to have. The summit track should only be attempted in dry conditions. Simply too dangerous in the wet and unless the weather is clear, the views from the summit will be wasted. Once you get to the end of the metal stairs you will see rope tethers with no rope. They operate as a guide to show you approximately where you will need go. Despite looking daunting, the first 100 m is the worst/hardest part of the climb. Once clear, the track is steep but easily achievable for the rest of the way. Markers are easily spotted, either yellow “cats eyes” like you see on roads and/or white paint. It is by far the most enjoyable part of this trek. There is no sign at the summit, though the large rock formation at the top with a marker on it is as good as it gets. The views are 360 degrees and simply amazing. Only downside on a windy day is it is very difficult to find somewhere sheltered. For the return leg, we completed the circuit and were glad we went clockwise. The other side was downhill all the way and did not offer as many outstanding views. Would be a lot less interesting if you were walking up this way. Circuit can be easily achieved in 3 hours for most people with moderate fitness. Fit people could achieve 2 hours without the summit walk easily. Summit walk should be added to your circuit time for planning purposes. We achieved the summit walk (800m) in 40 mins return, however, plan for an hour for safety reasons and photo opportunities.
3. Siding Spring Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 262 reviews
SIDING SPRING OBSERVATORY IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Please see the facebook page for further details.
Reviewed By FreespiritSydney - North Sydney, Australia
James was delightfully frank and very informative on the machinations of the telescopes, the enterprise and the current threats to its existence as an international window to our solar system. Coal seam gas mining and its effective light pollution and landscape scarring in the Piliga would surely be a huge mistake.
4. Sandstone Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By peterevans61 - Sydney, Australia
So glad I went .... wonderfully tranquil I was the only one there. Plus the flies. Take aerogard. Finding it wasn’t easy ... no sign off the main road but Google Maps helped ... Apple Maps no help. Dirt road is good for all vehicles .... caves and sandstone colours and formations just beautiful
5. Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By JElliot32 - New South Wales, Australia
The Visitor Centre proved a key stopover for us in Coonabarabran. Firstly, it was only a week or so since Covid-19 restrictions in NSW had been relaxed and the Centre had important information on what local attractions were now open and what was still closed to visitors (including Siding Springs Observatory, unfortunately). There had also been some heavy rain overnight and we were able to get some updates on local road conditions, especially re the dirt roads in the Pilliga Forest. The Centre has several walls of all the tourist literature that you tend to find in such places but an added and totally unexpected bonus was a natural history exhibition whose centrepiece was the skeleton of a massive Diprotodon (given the name Frank), which had been unearthed in the local area some 40 years ago. Nearly all the animal's bones were recovered including the very impressive skull and are included in the display. It is thought the skeleton is some 33,000 years old. The exhibition is very professionally presented and well worth a look.
6. Pilliga Pottery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By danielbush27
We Had a great breakfast there everyone was lovely and polite, I wouldn't listen to that artist he sounds like a bit of a d#+K really really nice big breakfast and coffee was fantastic went back for 2nds
7. Crystal Kingdom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
This was the first museum in Australia to display only local minerals, crystals and fossils. The display contains some of the world's rarest zeolite crystals and some rare local fossils. The attached retail outlet sells gemstone jewellery , mineral specimens, fossils and gift lines. Open every day, except Xmasday.
Reviewed By AussieAussieAussie5
Wow .. We went in here thinking it was going to be a little shop ...turns out to have a massive collection of Crystal on display in their own musium all different types from all over australia ...and was free to look at ..we brought some beautiful stones from the store and very cheap compared to anywhere else ive been ...loved the little old lady that owned it she was the sweetest and so friendly and helpful ...a world of knowledge on stones ...
