Upper Colo: River Nature and Pioneer History

Upper Colo combines riverside nature with a tangible local history. Upper Colo Reserve is a basic wilderness campground on the Colo River; day visitors are welcome. Swimming, tubing and wildlife watching give the riverside setting its own appeal, while the cemetery and church preserve traces of the Colo area’s history.

Water and a Stay at Upper Colo Reserve

At the camping and picnic areas beside the Upper Colo River, you can swim in the sandy river or float on an inflatable tube. Swimming and tubing are two different ways to enjoy the water. The reserve also has a shared gas barbecue and a picnic shelter. Check the reserve’s booking conditions and operating details before your visit, as these can change. River conditions and safety requirements can also vary; take this into account when planning either water activity.

Wildlife and River Landscapes

Eastern Grey Kangaroos, wombats, red-necked wallabies and wallaroos are often seen grazing on the grassy banks of the waterway at Upper Colo Camping/Recreation Reserve. The wildlife observed therefore includes four specific animal groups. For travellers interested in more than water activities, it offers an additional focus; individual sightings are not guaranteed.

In the wider region, the Colo River is 86 kilometres long overall and passes through the heart of Wollemi National Park. This river extends beyond an individual stay at Upper Colo Reserve.

Cemetery and Pioneer History

The history of Upper Colo Cemetery on Comleroy Road dates back to the 1830s. The cemetery contains the graves of pioneers of the Colo area, including members of the Blundell, Hulbert, Simmons and Ward families. These family names bring the pioneer history to life. The Gill monuments in the cemetery add an unusual visual feature: their carvings are naive and unusual. The family history and distinctive monuments thus stand out as two tangible aspects of the cemetery.

Church and Views of Gospers Lagoon

Upper Colo Anglican Church adds a precisely dated chapter to the local story. Its building opened on 14 April 1906 and was built on land donated by the Gosper family. There is a cemetery on the church grounds. From Comleroy Road, you can enjoy a view of Gospers Lagoon before descending to the church at Upper Colo. The founding date, land donation and landscape view offer different insights into local history.

Choose Your Travel Focus

At the reserve, water and wildlife take centre stage; the cemetery, Gill monuments and church lead into the pioneer history of the Colo area. If you’re looking for accommodation in Upper Colo, first consider which focus you’d like to shape your stay. Are you mainly interested in river activities and possible wildlife sightings, or are you more drawn to the area’s history? This comparison can help you decide whether Upper Colo suits the kind of trip you have in mind.

Discover more destinations: Hat Head, Central Tilba, Tyndale, Kiama, Stockton, Perisher Valley, Sefton, Woodstock

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.