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Ebor is a small village
located just 80km east of Armidale on the Waterfall Way.
The village is a rural
centre, providing retail services for the surrounding properties. These
services include a small general store, the
Ebor
Falls
Hotel
Motel
and The Ebor
Roadhouse. Ebor
is located near the junction of roads to Armidale, Dorrigo, Grafton and Guyra, giving tourists access to much of the New
England Plateau.
 Ebor is also
renowned for the trout fishing,
surrounding streams with anglers travelling
from many parts of the
world for this
great
pastime. Associated with this
tourist attraction is the L P Dutton Trout Hatchery, just a few
kilometres to the south (contact them on 02 6775 9139, where visitors
can see all aspects of the breeding program that is in operation.
An outstanding feature
of the scenery along the Waterfall Way is the
Great Escarpment - a rugged landscape of
rocky cliffs, steep valleys, spectacular waterfalls and World
Heritage rainforests now protected in a series of national parks that
stretches for over 100 kilometres.
Situated halfway
between Armidale and Dorrigo, New England National Park showcases
the spectacular diversity of this impressive landscape and makes an
ideal day trip from either centre. Nature lovers will need a few days to
absorb its many highlights and can stay in cabins or camp in the Park
(fees apply), or enjoy a touch of luxury at nearby Yaraandoo.
At 1564 metres above
sea level, Point Lookout provides breathtaking views of the near
vertical escarpment and a magnificent panorama to the north, east and
south from two viewing platforms. Below is a vast wilderness of deep
valleys, clothed in forest, against a background of the Pacific Ocean 70
kilometres distant New England National
Park straddles the inland boundaries of the Djungutti and Gucnbaynggir
tribes, Aboriginal groups whose former lands followed the catchments of
the Macleay and Bellinger Rivers respectively. The Park contains a
number of sites of special significance vital to the local Aboriginal
peoples' understanding of their connection with the land. Information
panels at Point Lookout (Berarngutta) inform visitors that this is such
sacred ground - a prohibited area that legend relates was the dwelling
place of a giant wombat whose supernatural powers created thunderstorms
and gale force winds.
Stunning on a clear
day, especially at sunrise, Point Lookout is worth a visit anytime,
located just ISkm off the Waterfall Way on a good
quality unsealed road. When the clouds that often shroud the
escarpment obscure the view, there are many other interesting features
awaiting your discovery. The silent charm of the
Tolkeinesque cool temperate rainforests are enhanced by the eerie
mists and the twenty kilometres of walking tracks
provide several days of exploring.
New England National
Park contains a rich flora of about 1000 species of plants in an
interesting variety of plant communities, resulting from differences in
altitude, topography, soil type and degree of exposure to wind.
Consequently the high, cold windswept plateau at Point Lookout has
practically no species in common with the warm, sheltered subtropical
lower valleys.
Wildlife abounds
here too - eastern grey kangaroos, possums, superb lyrebirds and the
normally secretive spotted-tailed quoll are often seen. Birdwatchers
will delight in the richness of species found in the Park, reflecting
the diversity of habitats available. Most commonly seen in the
sub-alpine woodlands and open forests are treecreepers, rufous fantails,
cuckoos, and flame robins, whilst the winter-flowering banksias attract
Lewins honeyeaters and eastern spinebills.
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