Bago State Forest is incredibly diverse covering the native alpine ash forests of the Bago Plateau, through historic plantation stands dating back to the 1920s and a large area of commercial radiata pine plantations.

View a map of the recreational areas in Bago State Forest.

Current advice on Blowering Dam foreshore and road closures

The Blowering Dam Western Foreshore remains closed due to extensive fire damage and dangerous road conditions. Please note the follow road conditions.

Roads closed to public access in Bago State Forest plantation area:

• Kopsen’s Road
• Bago Forest Way
• Bullongra Road
• Back Creek Road
• other roads as signed.

Access to Paddy’s River Campsite:

• From Tumbarumba is via Elliott Way to Bago PowerLine Road, to Ash Creek Road to Bullongra to Hardys to JDX to Houlihans Track.
• Alternate access is also via Dog Tree Road to Bannons Road to Hardys to JDX to Houlihans Track.
• From Batlow to Pilot Hill and Paddy’s River Campsite – via Yellowin Forest Road, Snubba road to Pilot Hill.

Visitor facilities

Blowering Dam Foreshore - CURRENTLY CLOSED

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Blowering Dam’s western foreshore will remain closed due to dangerous road conditions following widespread fires earlier in 2020. There has been significant repair work to the forest, however roads still remain hazardous to public access. Read more about this closure.

Hume and Hovell Walking Track

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A great adventure for those who enjoy hiking or are interested in Australian history. This 440km track stretches between Yass and Albury, retracing the route of explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell on their expedition to Port Phillip in 1824. Fully sign-posted, the track takes about 24 days to walk, although there are plenty of opportunities for various day walks. Major track heads can be accessed via Wee Jasper, Cootamundra River (near Tumut) and Henry Angel (near Tumbarumba). There are 18 campsites along the route, and the track passes through Buccleuch, Bago, Mannus and Munderoo State Forests. More information on the track, including maps, is available from Vistor Information Centres throughout the region and from the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources office in Wagga Wagga.

Pilot Hill Arboretum

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A fabulous spot for a picnic in Bago State Forest, located less than a half hour drive from both Batlow and Tumbarumba, near the village of Laurel Hill. The arboretum has plantings of more than fifty tree species from all over the world, with most planted in the 1920s and 1930s. Two short walking tracks pass through the arboretum and the adjoining native forest of alpine ash. The site is a great base to begin further explorations into the native alpine ash forest of the Bago Plateau.

Paddy's River Dam

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The beautiful Paddys River dam is a peaceful and scenic spot, and a popular attraction in the heart of the alpine ash forests of the Bago Plateau. In summer, it's a great place to go fishing or splash around in the waters of the Dam, and a year-round great place to camp and relax. It was originally constructed as a source of water for gold mining activities in the late 1800s.

Paling Yards

An interesting spot on the edge of the Paddy River, a lush green open flat in the high country plains.

Sugar Pine Walk

Sadly the iconic Sugar Pine Walk was destroyed in the 2019-2020 fire season. Work is happening now to remove the trees for public safety, and planning is underway to plant a new grove of sugar pine for future generations to enjoy.