“As you leave Rathdowney and drive into the Mount Barney valley, you feel as if you are entering a world apart surrounded by three magnificent mountains and ancient rainforest that provide a sense of scale and heritage.”
The area’s unmissable drawcard is Mount Barney, one of the last vestiges of wilderness. The protected area has only 2 marked tracks to the summit, however there are 20+ wild ridges and gullies to get up that are recommended only for experienced and prepared bushwalkers.
For those looking for a challenge and who want to experience that real, remote wild nature, there is no better spot than Mount Barney. The full-day hike can take up to 12 hours and you have to work hard for the view from Mount Barney, however the effect of untouched wilderness on mental and physical health is well worth the effort.
As part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, the designated wilderness park protects the last remnants of cool temperate rainforest and a walk through these ‘cloud forests’ reveals ancient songbirds such as Albert’s lyrebird and rare plants that exist nowhere else in the world. To hear, see, touch and experience it is a little touch of gold that makes the walk even more exciting and interesting.
When you go on a guided hike in the National Park, the Mt Barney Lodge guides interpret the sights and sounds of the landscape through the history, geology, flora and fauna, weaving stories into the experience.
There is a body of evidence that suggests a single interaction with a passionate guide can transform a nature lover into a nature protector, and that is important to ensure Mount Barney remains wild for generations to come.
