Olney State Forest - Watagan Mountains

Located in the Watagan Mountains near the Central Coast, Olney State Forest is a beautiful and family-friendly destination to explore on your next trip.

With a wide range of activities to enjoy, including free picnic areas, camping areas, and walking trails, Olney State Forest is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

The Pines Forest Park offers a unique picnic setting among the former Pine plantation forest. There, visitors can enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the forest while having a picnic with family and friends. Additionally, there are large all-weather picnic shelters available, making it easy for groups to enjoy a picnic no matter the weather.

For those who want to extend their stay in the forest, there are several camping areas available throughout Olney State Forest. The Pines, Turpentine, Casuarina, and Olney HQ camping areas provide sheltered campsites amongst impressive native forests, perfect for families or small groups. The Basin camping area is available for larger groups and offers an open and grassy space with easy access and a flowing creek suitable for swimming during the warmer months.

Olney State Forest offers some incredible walking trails throughout the forest to allow visitors to explore the natural beauty of the area. The Pines and Abbotts Falls Walking Trails follow the creek lines offering a diverse range in vegetation from moist eucalypt forests, rainforests, and rock pools. The Rock Lily Walking Trail in the Basin area is another beautiful trail with rainforest vegetation and rock lilies.

Olney State Forest is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is during the spring or autumn months when the weather is milder. During summer, temperatures can rise significantly, and the forest can become drier, leading to heightened fire risks