Gloucester offers a taste of rural New South Wales, surrounded by rugged mountains, grassy pastures and working dairy farms. The town is also a gateway to Barrington Tops National Park, part of the ancient Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.

Things to do

Explore the Gloucester Boomerang Discovery Walk, which starts at the Visitor Centre and winds down to Billabong Park on the banks of the Gloucester River. Along the way you can stop for coffee on bustling Church Street, stroll around the Pioneer Memorial Gardens and wander over the suspension bridge.

Housed in the historic council chambers building, the Gloucester District Historical Society Museum showcases the town's colonial past. It's run by a friendly team of volunteers and is filled with black-and-white photographs, antiques and local memorabilia.

Gloucester is a fantastic base for exploring the picturesque New South Wales hinterland. Spend the afternoon cruising the Buccan Buccans Circuit, a 34-kilometre scenic drive along the Gloucester River. Along the way, you can soak up breathtaking views of the craggy Bucketts Mountains.

It's easy to lose yourself in the lush, World Heritage-listed rainforests of Barrington Tops National Park, laced with scenic walking trails and shady picnic spots. The family-friendly trail leads to Gloucester Falls and winds past snow gum forests, tree-lined gorges and crystal-clear pools. Keep an eye out for wildlife, such as lyrebirds, wallabies and wombats.

Getting around

Gloucester is easy to get around on foot, while a rental car is best for exploring the Hunter Valley. The town is a three-hour drive from Sydney and less than two hours from Newcastle. NSW TrainLink offers services to Gloucester Station.