Stretching along the banks of Williams River, the rural town of Dungog serves as a base for exploring World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops National Park. From heritage buildings to home-style cafes, antique shops and intriguing museums, there are plenty of cultural attractions in Dungog.
Things to do in Dungog
Get a feel for the town’s deep roots by strolling down Dowling Street with its 19th- and 20th-century heritage buildings. The entire street is designated an urban conservation area and houses historic structures, such as the Dungog Museum. Once a School of Arts, it now displays collections from the dairy and timber industries, as well as primitive dental equipment and horse-drawn buggies.
Head over to Brown Street to catch a film at James Theatre, the oldest still-operating cinema in Australia. Browse eclectic finds and vintage treasures at Dungog Country Antiques and stop by Dungog Contemporary for upscale fine art and collectables. You can also admire local artwork at Dungog Arts Society.
Join the locals for down-home dining at The Flying Duck Café, then take a free guided tour to the beautiful Barrington Tops National Park. Part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, the park is home to one of the most expansive temperate rainforests in Australia. Traverse a large network of walking tracks, have a picnic and fish for rainbow trout in the clear mountain streams.
Travelling with the family? Take the little ones to Farm Visit, a working dairy farm just outside the city. They can make butter from fresh NSW mile, bottle-feed baby calves and sample regional cheeses.
Getting around Dungog
Dungog is less than three hours’ drive from Sydney and is accessible by train. You can pick up a rental car at Newcastle Airport, about 44 kilometres from Dungog. Taxis are available for getting around town.