This was published 9 years ago
Tabulam, New South Wales: Travel guide and things to do
Tabulam is a quaint village of 150 people located in a rather beautiful setting on the Bruxner Highway between Tenterfield (73 km) and Casino (58 km). 830 km north-east of Sydney it is situated on the Clarence River.
Once occupied by the Bundjalung people, the first European land grant was made out in 1840 to a man named Stapleton. His selection occupied both sides of the Upper Clarence River on the track from Tenterfield. Before Stapleton arrived with his stock Peter Pagan and William Evans had settled here with sheep they had brought with them from the Hunter Valley. Pagan was killed by Aborigines in 1841.
Evans held the property until 1848 when Tabulam West went to Captain John Pike of the 73rd Regiment of Foot which arrived with Lachlan Macquarie in 1809. Tabulam East went to Captain Chauvel who hired a German settler to establish vineyards on his property as early as 1849. Pike sold out to Chauvel in 1854.
The village of Tabulam began by the river crossing on Chauvel's land. A postal service from Grafton was established in 1848. A courthouse and post office opened in 1849. The river crossing remained a problem with many sheep-droving teams stranded when the river flooded. A bridge was finally built in 1901 though a punt had aided matters in 1863.
Things to see
Tourist Information
The town's newsagency is the tourist information centre, tel: (02) 6666 1204.
Tabulam Bridge and The Clarence River
At Tabulam the Bruxner Highway crosses the Clarence River by means of a timber truss bridge built 1899-1903. It is reputedly the longest single-span wooden bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. The Clarence River is ideal for canoeing and rafting and it is possible to hire your chosen craft in the village.
Chauvel Homestead
Associated with early settler, Captain Chauvel, who formed the Upper Clarence Light Horse brigade in 1885. The home can be viewed by appointment, tel: (02) 6666 1238.
Scenic Drive - North
About 3 km west of town on the Bruxner Highway sealed roads depart to both the north and south. You can follow Paddy's Flat Road to the north (unsealed after 7 km). It leads past Emu Creek, a good spot for a picnic, Pretty Gully, where there is a flora and fauna reserve, and Paddy's Hills, from whence there are fine views, to Paddy's Flat on the Clarence River (27 km from the highway) where you can swim, fish, camp out or just have a picnic on the sandy beaches. Endangered rock wallabies inhabit the area and there are also some old tank traps about, remnants of the Brisbane Line fortifications from World War II - the second line of defence in case of an invasion from the north. The road continues on to Tooloom and Urbenville, 71 km from Tabulam.
Outback Holidays
There are several holiday sites along Paddy's Flat Rd. 12 km from the highway is Emu Creek Bush Getaway, a 3500-acre 4WD park with 130 km of 4WD tracks and another 100 km under construction. It is located in a rugged wilderness setting of mountainous terrain and creek frontage. You can camp out in the wilderness or at the main campsite, where there is an amenities block, or opt for a cabin, tel: (02) 6666 1456.
At Pretty Gully you can stay at Lanikai, a 2500-acre cattle property near the Clarence River. There is a campground with a number of walking trails into the rainforest and bushland. There are guided walks available, night viewing of native fauna, garden strolls and gold panning, tel: (02) 6666 1272.
The front gate to Clarence River Wilderness Lodge is 35 km from the Bruxner Highway, 7 km past Paddy's Flat Bridge. The lodge is situated on 4000 ha, within which there are tracts of rainforest and 8 km of river frontage. There are two self-contained cabins and a 5-ha campground beside the river. Canoe tours are on offer, with canoes for hire. The property is partially located on the old Tooloom goldfields and there are remnants of the old diggings. Gold panning can be pursued, as well as bushwalking (guided if desired), and there is plenty of fauna to observe, particularly birds, the rare brush-tailed rock wallaby and the platypus.
Scenic Drive - South (55 km)
Just past Paddy's Flat Rd, Plains Station Rd heads off to the south. Almost immediately Ogilvie Drive branches off to the south-west, affording excellent views from Hamiltons Gap. Alternatively, Plains Station Rd heads south. Around 10 km from the highway is Fraser's Cutting, a very steep, narrow and winding section which, although sealed, is somewhat dangerous and requires cautious driving. There are scenic views over the river rapids and Firth's Crafts which are strictly open by prior arrangement only, tel: 02-6661 3553).
Further along the route, at the locality of Alice, is Yate's River Crossing where there are sandy beaches. At this point loop around heading back north to the Bruxner Highway, 4 km east of Tabulam. There are other drives in the area. For further information ring (02) 6666 1204.
Peace Circle Carvings
9 km east where the Bruxner Highway meets up with the road that heads north to Bonalbo, Urbenville and Woodenbong, there is a picnic and barbecue area off the road where you will also find the Peace Circle Carvings, a community project consisting of eight large wooden carvings. A plaque explains that they were 'carved by the people of Mallanganee, Tabulam, Tunglebung, Bonalbo, Old Bonalbo, Urbenville and Woodenbong. They are an expression of the feeling of peace and unity in the communities west of the range. The central block is for those of you who also wish to carve. May peace and unity be with you'.
It stands opposite Sandilands Homestead, once the home of the Bruxners, after whom the highway is named.
Horsen' About
Camping trips are available in horse-drawn covered wagons through the Upper Clarence district with all meals and swags supplied, tel: (02) 6666 1371.
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