UPDATE DECEMBER 2021 : The roads accessing the Barrington Tops and Gloucester Tops road is currently under repair so visit the Gloucester Visitor Information Centre for updates on alternate routes, including 4WD drive access.
The Bucketts Circle is a 30km Return (19km sealed & 11km unsealed) scenic drive. Crossing the Gloucester River several times, all the way there are good views of the unusually shaped Bucketts Mountain Range. On the Faulkland section of the road, there is a picnic area, and you can also see the historic Faulkland House.
Ellenborough Falls is a 200 metre marvel, Ellenborough Falls is the tallest single drop waterfall in New South Wales and amongst the tallest in the southern hemisphere. It is a delightful 1.5hr drive from Gloucester. Make sure you sample some of the home made treats at the kiosk after your hike to the bottom of the falls.
Scone via Moonan Flat -located alongside the river that feeds into Lake Glenbawn, it is one of the smallest villages in the Upper Hunter. It is picturesque and has vineyards in the surrounding area.This little village is old, being built to serve the goldminers years ago. Evidently, “Thunderbolt,” the Bushranger, called in at the Victoria Hotel, and it was also a stop on the famous Cobb & Co. Coach route.
Bretti Reserve–This is a pretty area beside the Barnard River on the road that leads from Gloucester to Walcha -Thunderbolts Way- a lovely scenic drive and you will pass beautiful Gloryvale reserve on the way. There are BBQ & toilet facilities, and you can go swimming and canoeing- a nice spot on a hot day. From Gloucester, it is a 66 km return trip.
Carson’s Lookout is located on the Thunderbolt’s Way midway between Gloucester and Nowendoc. Looking west from the Thunderbolts Way, Carson’s Lookout offers panoramic views over Giro and State forests to the Barrington Tops World Heritage area. The lookout offers parking and picnic facilities and is about 40 minutes from Gloucester.
Motorbike route-Thunderbolts Way has become a favourite with motorcyclists who enjoy the twists and turns, which lead past the Lookout and on towards Walcha and the famous Oxley Highway.
Mograni Lookout– 5 minutes east of Gloucester on the Bucketts Way
Kia-ora Lookout– proceed 1 km On Thunderbolts Way from Barrington Hideaway towards Barrington. Turn right at Bowman farm Rd and and following lookout signs, cross the Barrington River, turn right onto Kia-ora Rd and then sharp left onto lookout road.
Both lookouts provide panoramic views of the Gloucester valley.
