Kookaburra Scenic Drive

Details

Kookaburra was a timber getting settlement in the mountains west of Kempsey, these timber getters were in search of the Red Cedars growing on slopes and plateaus.  This drive leaders travellers through Kempsey out into open grazing land, with vistas of the mountains, the dirt road continues into the mountainside to McCoy’s Lookout for a view of National Park and State Forest covered mountain ranges just after this lookout is the road to a waterfall.  Just up the road slightly is the remnants of Kookaburra two lonely buildings and a National Parks information board are seen today.  Continue further into the mountains to the Carrai Plateau and the Daisy Plains Forestry hut perfect for a stop as this is the only toilet available once leaving Kempsey.  Further into the mountains the road reaches Mary’s View, a lookout over the Macleay Gorges part of the Oxley Wild Rivers and Carrai National Parks.  Take the alternative route back to Kempsey to see more picturesque rural countryside.

Follow these instructions to enjoy the Kookaburra Scenic Drive.

240kms bitumen and gravel – 4WD vehicle required.

From the Kempsey Visitor Information Centre at South Kempsey, turn left onto Lachlan St which becomes Lord St and travel across the Kempsey traffic bridge, veer left into Belgrave St. Travel across the railway line and straight ahead at two roundabouts and follow Elbow St around to the right as it transitions into River St, then Armidale Rd.

Turn left at Sherwood Rd, then at the t-intersection into Willi Willi Rd, turn right. Follow Willi Willi Rd over Toorumbee Creek Bridge and continue to the end of Willi Willi Rd, then turn left at the t-intersection into Carrai Rd.

Follow Carrai Rd to McCoys Lookout, turn right into Waterfall Rd which is a 4WD track to Falls Lookout. Retrace to Carrai Rd turn right. Take the next right at Kookaburra which is still Carrai Rd.

At the Daisy Plains Huts, turn left into Cochrane Rd, then left turn into Warrick Rd. Follow the signs to Mary’s View Lookout located at the end of the road.

Retrace your route to Willi Willi Rd, then continue south before turning left into Temagog Rd. When you reach the Armidale Rd intersection, turn right to return to Kempsey.

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