Places to explore
Ashford offers the visitor many scenic drives through natural surroundings, as well as places
to set up camp beside the Severn River. Many of these roads are gravel, but well maintained.
To view details of locations, please click the icons on the map below.
Inland Fishing
Ashford offers the visitor many scenic drives through natural surroundings, as well as places to set up camp beside the Severn River. Many of these roads are gravel, but well maintained.
Inland fishing is a popular sport amongst locals and visitors alike. The rivers and dams around Ashford are all premier inland fishing waters. The best of Australia's freshwater sports fish species are native to the area, including Yellow Belly and Murray Cod.
The Ashford Fishing Club has taken an active interest in the management of local fish stocks for many years, purchasing fingerlings of native stock at regular intervals and releasing them back into the rivers. The club actively supports catch and release.
Remember, when going on a fishing trip it is important to take rubbish with you when you leave.
Pindari Dam
Situated on the Severn River, 22 kilometres from Ashford. The original Dam was completed in 1969. In 1997 the capacity was enlarged from 37,500 megalitres to 312,000 megalitres. The dam is surrounded by untouched native eucalypt woodlands and granite bluffs that are well worth taking a boat trip to see.
The dam is large enough to cater for all water sports and the fishing is excellent. Camping facilities are also available at Pindari Dam and it is a great place to relax on holidays or just for a weekend barbeque.
Wells Crossing
A short drive from Ashford on Bukkulla Road. There is an inviting picnic and camping area on the bank of the river which has been developed by the Ashford Lions Club, a shelter, tables and barbeques are available.
The expanse of water below the picnic area is ideal for swimming and canoeing. There is a walking track that follows the river upstream. Wells Crossing is a well-known fishing spot, producing some big cod. Throw a line in or put a boat in at the gravel boat ramp which is just across the low-level bridge.
Kwiambal National Park
Located west of Ashford. The park is named Kwiambal (pronounced Kigh-am-bal) after the Aboriginal people who traditionally used the area. The park is managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS) and is 3,400ha in size with long frontages along two major river systems, the Severn River and the Macintyre River.
The Macintyre and Severn Rivers have long been a popular place for swimming with their spectacular waterfalls, large pools and sculptured granite. Fishing and bushwalking are also enjoyed by both locals and visitors to the area. The park has four marked walking tracks ranging from a distance of approximately 600m to 7km and there are two viewing platforms; one at Macintyre Falls and another at Beach Lookout.
Kwiamlbal National Park conserves one of the largest remaining areas of native vegetation on the North West Slopes. The most common trees in the park's woodlands are from three groups of eucalypts: ironbark, box and gum. You can easily identify them by their bark:
● ironbark trees have hard, dark, flaky bark;
● box trees have pale, fibrous bark that powders easily when rubbed; and
● gum trees have multi-coloured smooth bark that's cool to touch.
Native animals in the area include Grey Kangaroos, Wallaroos, Red-Necked Wallabies, Koalas and Possums. There are over 140 different bird species in the park, including honeyeaters, parrots and smaller insect-eating birds. Rarer species include the Blue Faced Honeyeater, White-winged Chough and the Tawny Frogmouth.
The granite outcrops provide a good home for reptiles also.
Limestone Caves
The Limestone Caves at Kwiambal consist of a major cave about 200 metres long with several roof holes and smaller caves. The limestone is of Devonian to Permian age (between 250 and 400 million years old) and outcrops occur for about 10 kilometres along Limestone Creek.
The caves are home to two species of bats including the rare Large Bent-Wing Bat (Miniop-terus schreibersii) and the Eastern Horse Shoe Bat who rely on the caves as a nursery and roosting site. These bats are a protected species. Breeding season for the bats is November to February and the bats hibernate during winter.
Access to the caves is restricted.
Access to the caves is restricted. Please check the National Park’s website before your visit to confirm access times for the caves. When entering the caves, please respect the bats right to remain undisturbed.
Keep your voice to a whisper and do not shine lights towards the bats. Fires are not allowed in the caves.
Facilities provided include pit toilets, picnic tables and barbeques.
There are no rubbish bins provided so if you visit please ensure you take your rubbish with you.
Three Mile
The junction of the Severn River and Fraser's Creek is 5 kilometres out of Ashford on the Bonshaw Road,
with the highway crossing the Severn River. The name Three Mile is left over from the old imperial measurement that has stuck.
On the Ashford side of the bridge, there is a rest area with picnic area complete with table and barbecue on site. On the opposite side of the bridge, there is a gravel track that makes its way upstream. This track ends where Frazer's Creek joins with the Severn River.
Facilities provided include an enviro toilet and tank water
Beaumont Crossing
For a relaxing afternoon fishing take a drive out to Beaumont Crossing. Take the gravel road just before the crossing. This will lead to a gravel area a short distance downstream from the crossing.
Apple Tree Flat Road
This is a well-maintained service road for farms. 4 Wheel Drive recommended if traveling all the way to Fisherman's Bend, where the road ends. Fisherman's Bend is one of the favourite fishing holes of the locals.
Lemon Tree Flat and Kookibitta
Positioned on a large grassed area alongside the Severn River, are two campgrounds
Lemon Tree Flat and Kookibitta. Both are a great place to have a picnic lunch or pitch a tent for the weekend.
There are plenty of tables and wood barbecues, and within easy walking distance of the campground are fishing, swimming, hiking and bird watching opportunities. Both campgrounds offer tank water suitable for drinking after treatment, though it’s a good idea to bring your own as well. Other facilities include picnic tables, gas/electric barbecues (free), wood barbecues (firewood supplied) and non-flush toilets.
Bookings are required. Book online at nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
or call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757.
