Car Rental Narrabri Downtown

Narrabri is in the heart of the Namoi Valley, around a 5-and-a-half hour journey from the coast and coastal towns such as Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie and national parks such as Guy Fawkes River National Park and New England National Park. Narrabri itself is surrounded by inland national parks and regional towns such as Wee Waa and Boggabri, which make for fantastic drives and day trips in the region. You will find a wide range of nature activities, from walking one of the many hiking trails in the national parks to kayaking down rivers and camping under the stars.

Narrabri is famous for its produce, with world-class meat, wheat and cotton. The Narrabri region covers 13,000 square kilometres, so for the most cost-efficient and relaxed way to explore this region, a rental car is a must. Narrabri is home to a wide range of restaurants, from fine dining to casual, relaxed pub meals, boutique shops offering unique gifts and keepsakes, as well as many heritage-listed buildings.

After a day of walking and exploring, relax your tired muscles in the Pilliga Artesian Bore Baths, just over an hour outside town. These mineral-rich waters have been quelling sore muscles for over a century. Staying for the day is free, with charges applied to overnight visits.

Some of the best towns to drive to from Narrabri include Wee Waa, the oldest town in the region, filled with heritage sites and a museum; Wee Waa is just over half an hour away. Wee Waa is the birthplace of the Australian cotton industry. There are plenty of walks to enjoy, including the heritage walk and a stroll around Yarrie Lake. The lake is a 25-minute drive south from Wee Waa, just above Pilliga East. Thought to have been formed by a falling meteor millions of years ago, the lake is now home to over 70 species of bird. The lake is suitable for swimming and offers stunning sunsets. If you spend a bit of time around the lake, you might see a local kangaroo.

Take in the Best Nature in the Region with a Rental Car

Perhaps the best spot for nature lovers in the region is Mount Kaputar National Park, just a 30-minute drive from Narrabri downtown in your Thrifty rental car. The park boasts many stunning geographical features that can be seen from one of the stunning walking trails. Walking trails range from easy strolls on timber boardwalks above the forest floor to climbing the summit of Mount Kaputar. You will see a variety of nature and wildlife, including wallabies, an interesting bright pink slug, as well as 185 species of bird.

To start off with, take the easy Dawsons Spring Nature Trail, with stunning scenery right out of the car park. Take in waterfalls, wildflowers, and native animals. The walk is an easy 1.4-kilometre loop that usually takes around 45-minutes, leaving plenty of time for other activities. 

Within the region you will also find the Pilliga Forest, with over 500,000 hectares of nature, the largest forest in New South Wales. Walk or drive along 2,000 kilometres of paths and explore sandstone caves. 

Top Spots in Narrabri to Enjoy with a Car Hire

Take a drive to the CSIRO’s Australia Telescope Compact Array, a 20-minute drive west of Narrabri, which features free entry and exhibits and films on-site. Narrabri is known for its stargazing opportunities, so whenever you’re out in nature in the area, make sure to take in the beautiful night sky. 

On the heritage walk or drive in Narrabri, you will come across the Narrabri Old Gaol and Museum. With historical artefacts including the “Dalway Collection” with uniforms, paintings and documents from the time. 

With craft stores, art galleries, theatres, museums, fish farms, golfing and more all within or just outside the Narrabri CBD, you won’t be short on places to drive and activities to enjoy.