The location of this small village, deep in the Pilliga Forest, is key to its existence. Known as the ‘Heart of the Pilliga’ it is roughly the geographical centre of the timber industries that grew and flourished in the Western Region of the Pilliga.
Linked by rail to Baradine and borne from the prosperous timber trade, Gwabegar once sported no less than twelve sawmills! In the early 1900s Gwabegar was integral in the ‘sleeper cutting’ process that largely enabled the creation of a railway across Australia. Sleeper cutter camps and koala colonies are points of interest in the Gwabegar area. The forestry industry shut down several years ago in Gwabegar but it remains a vibrant town.
Camping and caravanning are permitted free of charge at Anzac Park, a designated primitive camping ground. Please note that this park has no facilities and that rubbish must be taken with you.
From here you can visit the Pilliga Forest, Schwagers Bore, Sandstone Caves and the Sculputres in the Scrub which has a picnic area and campground check with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website for more information.
The Gwabegar community has a Public School and you can find a community group called Gwabegar Heart of the Pilliga Forest