Gresford and East Gresford are two small towns that serve as a gateway to explore the picturesque southern foothills of Barrington Tops National Park.

Where is it?: Hunter Valley. Gresford is 39 km north of Maitland; 39 km east of Singleton; 196 km north of Sydney.

Things to see and do

Gresford Post Office Store can provide local tourist information, however the main information centre in the shire is at the corner of Dowling and Brown Sts, Dungog, Ph: (02) 4992 2212.

Cawarra Estate: Amongst the earliest vineyards in the Hunter Valley grapes were planted in Gresford by Charles Boydell at Camyr Allyn in the late 1820s, with viticulture in the area growing in importance during the 1830s. However history shows that it was with the arrival of Dr Henry Lindeman in 1841, that wine production became a major industry. Dr Lindeman brought a professional approach to the local industry which is found in the area again today with quality boutique wines being produced.

Dr Henry Lindeman's Cawarra Estate is today one of Australia's most famous vineyards. There were three cellars to the winery which operated between 1843 and 1918. One remains. The two-storey homestead was built of local sandstone around 1880 with later additions.

Surrounding area

Allynbrook, Lostock Dam, Mt Allyn and the mountainous terrain of Chichester State Forest and Barrington Tops are all within easy reach of Gresford.


Allynbrook Northern Drive: This loop drive heads north from Gresford along the Allyn River to the village of Allynbrook, Chichester State Forest and Mt Allyn, then veers south through a section of Barrington Tops National Park, along the Williams Valley and on to Dungog. It is 125 km to Dungog and 150 km back to East Gresford. This can be done in a day with an early morning start if you restrict yourself to two or three of the shorter walks. The scenery on this drive through rivers valleys, rolling hills and farmland is very pleasant.


Ladies Well: this popular swimming hole is on Mt Allyn River Road. It is the access point to Double Bridges Walking Trail, a 4km looped walking trail. From the Peach Tree Picnic Area you can walk the excellent and short Allyn River Rainforest Trail (1 km).

Barrington Guest House: travel north to the end of Allyn River Road to Salisbury, where you turn left. At the gurest house there is horse riding, bushwalking, tennis, Devonshire teas etc. A road to the far left leads to the Williams River Day Use Area of Barrington Tops National Park. The Day Use Area has picnic and barbecue facilities, toilets, an information board, and access to the easy Twin Bridges Loop Track (3.5km) and Rocky Crossing Trail (16 km return).

Lostock Dam: the dam, built in 1969, covers 220 ha, has a storage capacity of 20 000 megalitres, a maximum water depth of 30 m and draws on a catchment area of 280 square kilometres. The dam wall is 701 m long and 38 m high. Fishing and boating are permitted. There is a caravan park, a boat ramp, and a barbecue and picnic area with chopped wood.