📍8 Best Day Trips From Tenterfield Within 2 Hours Drive From A Road Trip & Hiking Enthusiast. (2025.)

WONDERING WHAT THE BEST DAY TRIPS FROM TENTERFIELD ARE?

Tenterfield is located at the crossroads of the New England and Bruxner Highways just shy of Queensland in the New England region of New South Wales. And thanks to it also being the country town smack bang in the middle of Granite Belt territory, it is a fantastic place to deviate off the main thoroughfare and explore the breathtaking country roads that lead to some spectacular drives, landscapes, and opportunities for outdoor activities.

From incredible national parks that are smack bang in the middle of the Granite Belt and famed for having some of the largest granite monoliths in Australia (my favourite), to having some beautiful drives and close by to some major country towns, here are some places that makes the best day trips from Tenterfield.

1. Bald Rock National Park.

There’s no better reason to travel to Tenterfield than for its outstanding natural beauty, and nowhere is it more jaw-droppingly breathtaking than in Bald Rock National Park.

This world-class natural environment is a must-visit because it doesn’t take the whole epic scenery thing lightly. That’s because this place is home to the largest exposed granite monolith in Australia, offering a challenging 3.2km return hike and magnificent views of the surrounding countryside on both sides of the border from across its impressive boulder-strewn summit.

There are also several other stunning trails to discover, such as the Little Bald Rock and Bald Rock Trig Lookout tracks, which each feature breathtaking scenery, but are less strenuous than the titular hike up to the rock face. Plus, there’s the Bald Rock Base Walk provides an intimate look at the monolith rock base, enabling you to truly appreciate its staggering size!

• Distance From Tenterfield to Bald Rock Campground: 34km.
• Minimum Time To Traverse: 35min.
• Other Places To Visit En Route: Thunderbolts Hideout, World War II Tank Traps.
• Wanna Stay Longer?: Bald Rock Campground.

2. Girraween National Park.

Right next door, but on the Queensland side of the border, lies another magnificent national park that offers so many opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Girraween National Park is the defining destination of the Granite Belt, the region of the country filled with breathtaking monoliths, boulder fields and rocky river bed slabs, and nowhere does it more magnificent than this place of immense natural beauty.

The scenery within this wild and rugged place is unforgettable, especially with the headliner, the Pyramid. This massive exposed sloping rock face that rises dramatically out of the landscape is an unforgettably formidable-looking landmark and one of Queensland’s largest granite monoliths. But the best thing about it is that it’s not just a visual feast for the eyes, but it is also an epic peak you can submit. However, it’s not for the faint of heart, but those willing to climb this naked rock face to its soft domes peak are rewarded with spectacular views overlooking the picturesque countryside, including some of the other iconic features within this breathtaking national park.

That’s just one incredible trail in a place packed with breathtaking walks. The Granite Arch and Spinx & Turtle Rocks tracks showcase stunning boulders precariously stacked atop one another. Meanwhile, Castle Rock is another gorgeous mountainous rock slab with fantastic views of the surrounding landscape. Plus, there are also numerous short and scenic creek walks, so there’s always something remarkable for every adventurous hiker to uncover, making it perfect for multiple day trips from Tenterfield or a multi-day camping adventure utilising one of the several campgrounds.

• Distance From Stanthorpe: 40km.
• Minimum Time To Traverse: 35mins.
• Length Of Visit: 5-6 days.
• Where To Stay: National Park Campgrounds.
• Other Places To Visit En Route: Ballandean Pyramid.

3. Boonoo Boonoo National Park.

On the other side of Bald Rock, Boonoo Boonoo National Park is a nature lover’s paradise offering a quieter, more off-the-beaten-path experience. Located just 35km from Tenterfield and easy to complete in a day, the highlight is seeing the breathtaking Boonoo Boonoo Falls from the fenced viewing platform overlooking the cascading waterfall. If you’re visiting in the summer, the rock pools along the river offer excellent spots for a refreshing swim.

The park also boasts some fantastic bushwalking trails, including the River Walk, which follows the Boonoo Boonoo River and provides plenty of opportunities for spotting native wildlife like kangaroos, wallabies, and even the occasional platypus.

• Distance From Tenterfield To Cypress Pine Campground: 34 km.
• Minimum Time To Traverse: 32min.
• Other Places To Visit En Route: Thunderbolts Hideout, World War II Tank Traps.
• Wanna Stay Longer?: Cypress Pine Campground.

4. Torrington Conservation Park.

• Distance From Tenterfield To Blatherham Campground: 77km.
• Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr 10min.
• Other Places To Visit En Route: Mt McKenzie Lookout.
• Wanna Stay Longer?: Blatherham Campground.

5. Stanthorpe.

One of the best day trip destinations from Tenterfield is Stanthorpe. Visiting these two places essentially goes hand in hand as they are both kind of like star-crossed lovers sitting on opposite sides of the Queensland and New South Wales border, like a geographical Romeo and Juliet romance.

Plus they are both smack bang in the middle of the gorgeous Granite Belt region, an area famous for its enormous monoliths and gorgeous boulder-strewn terrains and share many of the same nearby national parks, including those that have the aforementioned landscapes and are on the same New England Highway, so it’s essentially inevitable that’ll you’ll travel to both. And the town has some fantastic attractions outside the national parks, although they get a good mention below too, so don’t just drive through.

Some of its best include the Mt Marley Lookout, which has stunning views overlooking the township and the distant mountains, perfect for watching the sunrise or sunset, having not one but two iconic Australian “Big Things”, the Big Apple in Thumlimbah to symbolise its status as the state’s number one apple-growing region and one of the newest editions to the map, the Big Thermometer in Quart Port Park, just near the Visitor Information Centre to symbolise it being Queensland’s coldest town. Speaking of the creek.

Further upstream is Red Bridge, one of the town’s best places to visit, but not because it is an architectural wonder. The old railway structure, which isn’t even red anymore isn’t what the drawcard is. It’s the rocky riverbed that the water flows through that is the impressive factor here. It’s essentially a mini slice of Girraween National Park’s gorgeous granite rivers, so it’s a spectacular find and makes a fantastic micro-exploration rock-hopping and wild swimming adventure.

And if you love fruit, between November and April – you can pick your own strawberries at Ashburn Farms, or go year-round biking at the Passchendaele & Broadwater State Forests or kayaking at King Storm Dam, giving road trippers plenty of reason to spend many hours in town.

• Distance From Tenterfield: 57km.
• Minimum Time To Traverse: 43min.
• Other Places To Visit En Route: Girraween National Park, Ballandean Pyramid.

6. Sundown National Park.

If you’re craving somewhere quieter and away from the crowds to enjoy a wild swim in a pristine environment, then make a beeline across the border into Queensland to visit Sundown National Park. Specifically, the Broadwater on the western side of the park.

From this under-the-radar, two-wheel-drive accessible wilderness, it’s only a short 1km walk to a section of the Severn River called the Permanent Waterhole, which as its name suggests, is there year-round, even during long periods of dryness. This makes it a fantastic and reliable place for frolicking around whenever you’d like, even in the dead of winter if you’re that keen. But just remember, nearby Stanthorpe is the coldest place in Queensland, where on the rare occasion it even snows, so it might be a bit nippy. However, it’s beautifully refreshing on those hot, summer days when the humidity is high. As usual, water shoes are a must when going in natural waterways. I never go in without them!

There is also the beautiful 4.5km Western Circuit, which I highly recommend doing while you’re here too, as it offers gorgeous views overlooking the mountainous wilderness of Sundown and across the western plains and hilltops where the path follows the boundary, and a few more views as you make your way back down to the campground, which is especially lovely in the afternoon hours. Plus, there were heaps of wallabies and kangaroos bouncing all over the place and some deer running around too!

If you have a high-clearance 4WD, you can also explore the eastern trails and heritage sites that are on offer there. The one that I highly recommend is visiting Red Rock Gorge, where a 200m walk rewards you with unforgettable panoramic views over the magnificent namesake landmark, which is particularly magical at sunset when the golden light hits the cliff face! What’s also great about it is that, for keen hikers without a 4WD, it is also likable within a day, which is what I am glad I did because my jaw dropped!

• Distance From Tenterfield: 73km
• Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr.
• Wanna Stay Longer?: The Broadwater Camping Area, Red Rock Camping Area.

7. Glen Innes.

South along the New England Highway lies Glen Innes, the Celtic Country of Australia and a lovely place to visit if you love exploring travelling through the countryside and visiting rural towns.

Some of the most interesting things is the Standing Stones, a tribute to the region’s Scottish heritage and Balancing Rock, which is a comparatively small but precariously stacked rock just off the highway. It is also the gateway to the Washpool and Gibraltar National Parks, where even more breathtaking natural beauty awaits.

• Distance From Tenterfield: 92km.
• Minimum Time To Traverse: 1hr 10min.

8. Captain Thunderbolt’s Locations.

For history lovers, a great day trip from Tenterfield would be to explore some of the locations associated with the infamous bushranger Captain Thunderbolt. The closest site is Thunderbolt’s Hideout, a rugged granite outcrop just outside of Tenterfield where he is said to have taken refuge. This natural rock shelter is an easy walk from the car park and offers a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Further afield, Thunderbolt’s Lookout in Torrington Conservation Park provides another historical connection. This vantage point is believed to be where he kept watch for approaching threats, and the sweeping views from the summit make it a rewarding visit.

For those willing to venture further, there are even more sites linked to Thunderbolt’s daring escapades. Thunderbolt’s Rock, located just along the New England Highway near Uralla, is a striking boulder formation that was once used as a vantage point for highway robberies. The town itself also had a strong connection to Thunderbolt’s story, being the town where he was ultimately shot and killed in 1870, making it a unique way to experience the region’s past while enjoying the beautiful landscapes that once served as the backdrop for Captain Thunderbolt’s infamous exploits.

Tenterfield is not just another rural Australian town. Thanks to it being smack bang in the middle of Granite Belt territory, it’s a gateway to some of the many incredible landscapes, scenic drives, and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re chasing granite monoliths in Bald Rock and Girraween, seeking out serene wild swimming spots in Sundown, or immersing yourself in history and culture in Stanthorpe and Glen Innes, there’s no shortage of incredible day trips from Tenterfield to embark on.

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