To Do..

Fishing

The most sort out thing to do is Catching and releasing a fish from the river or dam.

Canoeing and Kayaking

The Severn River in average conditions comprises deep pools interconnected by waterfalls or sloping rock outcrops.
Be it fishing for Murray Cod or just a plain relaxing day on the water paddling a canoe or kayak is the ultimate enjoyment.

Bush Walking

You have access to 1500 acres of beautiful country.  Trek for kilometre after kilometre in natures’ high country where your companion’s live day after day.

Astronomy

Study the Stars in the clearest of skies, It’s a fact that the clearest night skies are viewed from the Siding Springs Observatory in the Warrumbungle Ranges a few hundred kilometres SW of us and we too share that same clarity. Stars are seen rising through the trees on the horizons and the Milky Way extends seemingly forever. In the early predawn skies during November the Leonid Meteor Showers make an awesome sight so do not forget to bring a telescope or binoculars when you visit us

Painting & Photography

From magnificent waterfalls to high country forest -- mountain vistas or our splendid sunsets Bens Falls Retreat is a playground for both amateur and professional artists and photographers. Capture the beauty of nature in peaceful surrounds. An easy way to spend a quiet day or two away from the normal routines

Bird watching -- Flora and Fauna

From Wedgetail Eagles to tiny Wrens Bens Falls Retreat offers an abundance of Flora and Fauna. Bicheno and Diamond Firetail finches, Rainbow Kingfishers, King Parrots, and many types of Rosellas frequent our trees and grasslands. Kangaroo and Wallaby join Deer, Goats, Pigs, Fox, and Rabbits while the many dams and waterways throughout the district provide a haven for migratory waterfowl. Rock Orchids and frail ferns are found along the gorges while stands of Ironbark, Yellow Box, Black Pine and Black Butt provide shelter from the summer sun.

What to do and See in the Area

Emmaville

Emmaville boomed after the discovery of tin in the local creek in 1872 and was initially known as Vegetable Creek after the Chinese market gardens planted vegetables to feed the settlement. 

By the early 1900s the mining town’s population swelled to 7000 including 2000 Chinese, with 5 hotels, a joss house, school, postal services and a hospital. Australia’s first Medical Benefits Fund and St John’s Ambulance service both began in Emmaville.  In 1872 the name of the town was changed to Emmaville in honour of the, then, Governor General’s wife, Lady Augustus Loftus, whose Christian name was Emma.

Emmaville is also famous for an entirely different reason - The Emmaville Panther.  Described as as a large black panther or a marsupial lion, it was sighted in February 1958[9] and on various occasions in the later 1950s and 1960s.  The history of sightings, stock kills and mystery tracks goes back decades.  As there are no native big cats in Australia, one suggestion is that this beast escaped from a travelling circus whose owner chose not to report the escape.

Today the town is home to a proud community of 300 people. Take time to explore the streets and many of the original public buildings, miner’s cottages and cemetery. 

Don’t miss the Emmaville Mining Museum for a real glimpse into the local history. Enjoy a counter meals or drink and have a chat with the locals in one of the town’s original hotels. 

Emmaville Mining Museum

The Emmaville Mining Museum, the dream of Mr and Mrs Jack Curnow who ran the Emmaville bakery. After closing the bakery in 1969, they used the shop to display their vast collection of minerals and photographs. Their collection was bequeathed to the community in the hope that the town could start a museum. The local Council purchased the old Foley’s Store in Emmaville and volunteers began re-modelling the building to house the Curnow collection.

As the collection grew, the Museum expanded. Out back is Foley’s General Store Museum, a replica blacksmith’s shop, an old wood-fired bakery, and a machinery shed filled with old mining equipment. There’s also the interior of a hessian-lined miner’s hut, a collection of over 400 photographs of the old mines, miners, and the Emmaville community, and a beautiful 1,500 bottle collection.

Today, the Museum that houses the renowned Curnow mineral collection is also home to the Jillet, Gilbey, Ellis, Schumacher, Trethewey, Hermann and Maskey collections.

A must see!

Glen Innes - Highlands

Glen Innes Highlands has a long association with Celtic pioneers and was first adventured by John Oxley who discovered the New England Area in 1818.

Twenty years later Scottish Barrister, Archibald Boyd registered the first run in what is today known as Glen Innes Severn Area.

For GREAT infomation on the town and what to do visit https://gleninneshighlands.com/