The view of Reedy Creek and its tranquil natural bushland setting
Delve into history, legend and natural beauty at Cranky Rock Nature and Recreation Reserve in NSW.
The sun glistened off the massive granite boulders balanced precariously high above us, creating a shimmering reflection in the waters below. It was a peaceful scene, and it was hard to imagine that this was once a place of anything nefarious.
Legend goes that the extensive jumble of granite boulders at Cranky Rock Nature and Recreation Reserve are named after a very cranky Chinese man. According to local stories the Chinese man murdered a Warialda woman and escaped from the police only to leap to his death from the rock, and for some reason that same rock became known as ‘Cranky’.
The road into Cranky Rock Nature and Recreation Reserve
Camping at Cranky Rock
The jumble of legendary rocks can be found on the edge of Reedy Creek in Cranky Rock Nature and Recreation Reserve and are only 300m from the camping area via the car park and picnic area (which also has barbecue facilities).
The reserve was once a popular swim spot for local kids, but today it draws caravanners looking for a quiet peaceful place to park up for a night or three. It’s tucked away, just off the Gwydir Highway, just 7km east of Warialda in northern NSW.
Everything was green and lush at Cranky Rock during our stay. No doubt more rain would have totally transformed the creeks and pools, which are one of the key drawcards of this amazing little reserve.
We opted for a site with power as the weather was hot during our stay and air-conditioning was a must. At just $20 a night, it was great value. There are 10 powered sites and plenty of grassed unpowered spots with room for all size rigs. Clean, basic amenities are close by, there are tanks of drinking water available and plenty of serenity. You’ll be greeted by lots of friendly chickens as they free roam happily among the green grassed sites.
The campground is privately managed, and bookings are required (check the travel planner below).
Chooks roam freely around the campground
Walking tracks
To get to Cranky Rock, follow the track that leads over a suspension bridge. Once you reach the other side, you’ll spot an enclosed sanctuary that once housed emus, kangaroos and other native animals. Today, native animals roam freely in their natural environment.
The walking track is an easy one, whether you’re following it over the suspension bridge and down the pebbly path to the ‘beach’ or up to the lookout. At the observation platform right on top of the boulders you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the impressive rocks and down along Reedy Creek and the of the surrounding countryside. There are signs and stories of the area available, and while looking out over the rocks we couldn’t help but wonder if more rocks will succumb and fall one day.
Walking onto the rocks
To reach the natural swimming waterhole it is a short walk down the stony path. Once you reach the waterhole you have great views up at the granite rocks, estimated to be more than 240 million years old. Looking up at them and taking in all the weathering and erosion and soaking my feet in the water, I felt anything but cranky.
It’s hard to be cranky with this view
Is the legend of Cranky Rock true?
The tale of Cranky Rock and the Chinaman has fascinated Warialda locals for generations. No one knows exactly what happened, but the legend about the local murder persists. And some historical records from the time the murder took place can be quite intriguing.
The Maitland Mercury newspaper 9 January 1875 carried an article from a Warialda correspondent:
“I am sorry to have to report a most diabolical murder perpetuated in our midst on Thursday 24th of December. A poor woman living in the town named Mrs Golthorpe arose early as usual and was making her fire, when a Chinaman named Charlie, who has for a considerable time been cooking at Mannix’s Race Horse Inn, rushed into the house and stabbed her severely on the head, neck and chest.”
A local story suggests that Mrs Golthorpe had a dispute with Charlie after warning her son not to play cards with him.
The Maitland Mercury correspondent wrote: “Immediately on committing the deed, the Chinaman made for the bush, a tracker was at once procured and set out, but on some rocky, bare ridges all tracks were lost …”
Informative signs tell the story
Exploring Warialda
The short drive (7km) between Warialda and the reserve is fully sealed road and in town there’s historic buildings like the Warialda Convent and the Court House. There’s also a giant quirky statue that you may mistake as R2D2 but is in fact ‘R2B2’, located in a park. It was cleverly constructed to promote the annual Warialda Honey Festival (13 September 2025).
It’s no coincidence that there’s a honey festival held here either; the Aboriginal meaning of Warialda is ‘Place of wild honey’, and it is absolutely a sweet place to visit.
While Cranky Rock might have a less enticing name, its fantastic jumble of balancing boulder formations, amazing campground and friendly atmosphere will leave you with a smile on your face.
Plan your trip to Cranky Rock
Cranky Rock Nature and Recreation Reserve
296 Cranky Rock Road
Warialda NSW 2402
P: 02 6729 1402
E: warialdatourism@gwydir.nsw.gov.au
Warialda Visitor Information Centre
2–4 Geddes Street
Warialda NSW 2402
P: 02 6729 0046
13 September 2025
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