Located at the top end of the Hunter Valley, the main streets of this pleasant village have been declared an urban conservation area.

Where is it?: 43 km north west of Merriwa; 86 km north east of Mudgee; 358 km north west of Sydney.

Cassilis is within a short driving distance of both the Coolah Tops and Goulburn River National Parks, where the Hands on the Rock (Aboriginal hand stencils) and The Drip (a honeycombed rock face over which the Goulburn River flows) are popular attractions.


Goulburn River National Park: located 8km west of Merriwa, this National Park spans 70000 hectares of mostly sandstone country around 90 kilometres of the Goulburn River. The Park, which is rich in wildlife, is ideal for bush walking, canoeing, swimming, photography and wildlife observation. Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Wombats, Red-Necked Wallabies and Wallaroos, Goanna and Bearded Dragons are commonly seen, while the water shelters the Long-Necked Tortoise, Shrimp, Catfish and Mullet, as well as Platypus.


Wollemi National Park: the largest wilderness area in NSW, Wollemi forms part of the recently declared Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area - a maze of canyons, cliffs and undisturbed forest. Descend to the Colo River on Bob Turners Track (4 km, 200 m descent, some steep sections) and enjoy the inland beaches in one of the state's longest and most scenic gorges. There are historic ruins at Newnes; the Glow Worm Tunnel is part of the old railway that serviced the area; Dunns Swamp has easy walks and plenty of opportunities for canoeing.