Anketell Forest is just 5 minutes off the New England Hwy between Tenterfield and Deepwater, NSW.
For Google Map directions see here.

  • Turn west off the New England Hwy 14km north of Deepwater (just south of Bolivia Hill)  into Castlerag Rd.
  • Take the next right (about 3km) into McCowans Rd. There is an Anketell Forest / Tor Cottage sign on the corner
  • Once on McCowans Rd, keep left. Don’t take the early right hand turn even though it looks like the more used track.
  • Keep on McCowans for about 2kms until you see the second Anketell Forest sign. Cross the grid, and take the right hand track to The Shearing Shed ahead. Stop outside the Shearing Shed and toot your horn. We’ll then show you to your accommodation.

A word of advice for 2013: Your GPS street maps will tell fibs on the way to Anketell Forest from the highway. First it will misspell Castlerag Rd (they include an extra ‘c’ : CastleCrag Rd) then it will tell you McCowans Rd is through that (wrong) gate and up a paddock track. You’ll be OK in a tractor but any other vehicle will eventually get bogged or bottom out on rocks. The quickest route to Anketell Forest is via the directions above.

Check in: 3pm Check out: a lazy 12noon. Alternative times by arrangement.

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From Tenterfield (approx 25mins)

Head south along the New England Highway toward Deepwater and Glen Innes. Ascend Bolivia Hill. Approximately 1km after reaching the plateau at the top of the hill there is a road sign on the left and right-hand turning lane into Castlerag Rd. Turn right into Castlerag Rd. McCowans Rd is the first road on the right, about 3kms from the highway turnoff. Anketell Forest is at the end of McCowans Rd. Look for the Anketell Forest signs.

From Glen Innes (approx 45mins)

Head north along the New England Highway toward Deepwater and Tenterfield. Pass through Deepwater and continue north for about 14kms. Castlerag Rd is on the left, and is the only left hand turn on this part of the road. Look for the yellow intersection sign on the highway (the corner can be tight). McCowans Rd is the first road on the right, about 3kms from the highway turnoff. Anketell Forest is at the end of McCowans Rd. Look for the Anketell Forest signs.

From Grafton (approx 2 hr 20mins)

Take the Gwyder Highway west from Grafton. Climb up the range past the entrances to Washpool and Gibralter Range National Parks. Continue up the range and along the plateau and take the  turn off on your right to Tenterfield and Dundee.  Travel west to the T-intersection with the New England Highway. Turn right toward Deepwater and Tenterfield. Pass through Deepwater and continue north for about 14kms. Castlerag Rd is on the left, and is the only left hand turn on this part of the road. Look for the yellow intersection sign on the highway (the corner can be tight). McCowans Rd is the first road on the right, about 3kms from the highway turnoff. Anketell Forest is at the end of McCowans Rd. Look for the Anketell Forest signs.