The Upper Clarence

East and north east of Tenterfield, the land falls from the Great Dividing Range down through the forest-clad foothills to the upper reaches fo the Clarence River. This area features a great diversity of animals, birds, vegetation and 11 National Parks with eucalyptus forests and rainforests. Access to this fascinating area from Tenterfield is via the Bruxner Highway. Pass through the gold mining village of Drake and the extinct volcanic area around Urbenville. Try the amazing adventure parks with canoeing, 4WD driving, bushwalking, fossicking and birdwatching. Camping, farm stay and hotel accommodation are all available.

Things to See

Clarence River – starts its journey at Rivertree, where the three rivers (Boonoo Boonoo, Maryland and Koreelah) join to form the start of the Clarence. Access can be gained at numerous bridges that span the Clarence.

Tabulum Bridge – The Tabulam Bridge is the longest single span wooden bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. The bridge was completed in 1902 with the river crossing its decking only once in 1976, at peak the flood height was 16.46m. 

History

Richard Craig, an escaped convict from the penal settlement of Moreton Bay was the first white man to discover the Upper Clarence Region. He had lived with the Aboriginals for seven years before being discovered by the government stockman from Port Macquarie. At the time of his discovery it is estimated that sixty thousand aboriginal people inhabited the Clarence Valley. Gold was first found on the Rocky River in 1854 and continued until the turn of the century with new finds being made throughout the region.