Get on the M1 Pacific Motorway heading north out of Sydney from Wahroongah. Good luck with the traffic.
Follow the M1 north, past the beautiful Hawksbury River and surrounding hills. Past Gosford, the highway crosses coastal flats and swamps which are a bit boring. The drive to Newcastle is quicker than you think - about 1 to 2 hours.
Go past the main Newcastle turnoff. Keep going straight until you get to a roundabout. Turn right following the signs to PACIFIC HIGHWAY - NEWCASTLE - TAREE - BRISBANE
Continue straight past the Maitland turnoff (Continue following the signs for the Pacific Highway and Taree).
Get in the left lane and take the left exit towards the big bridge over the Hunter River. You are heading north again, hooray!
After you cross the bridge you will come to the small town of Heatherbrae. If you go right at the big roundabout you will find Heatherbrae Pies, a traditional dinner stop. Otherwise continue straight through the roundabout.
The next turn you have to make is on to the Bucketts Way after 15 minutes or so. This is left directly off the highway and not an obvious turnoff, however if you are looking for the sign you won't miss it. There is also a sign for BARRINGTON TOPS.
The Bucketts Way is a smaller road which winds north through forest. A lovely drive. Continue driving north straight through the towns of Booral, Stroud, continuing straight on the Buckets Way.
After passing through more towns with English countryside names you will come to Gloucester! You're basically there now. This is the last major town before the campsite. There is a large Woolworths here which is open until 9pm.
Drive through Gloucester, then when you get to the roundabout at the end of town, turn left. You are now on Thunderbolts Way. As you leave town you will cross over the Gloucester river.
Continue passing the Barrington Outdoor Adventure Center on your right, to the small town of Barrington. Continue through Barrington, and cross over the Barrington River on a historic single lane bridge.
Then make a sharp left hand turn on to Barrington West Road. This is opposite a sign for BARRINGTON RESERVE. (this is not Barrington East Road! If you haven't crossed over the river, you're on the wrong road!). From here start keeping an eye out for orange signs with "Boree Log" written on them.
Drive down Barrington West road for ten minutes or so, watching for cows. The next turn you have to make is the hardest to find - a right on to Manchester Road, just before the Rocky Crossing ford. It's a dirt road that looks more like a driveway! If in doubt, continue until you get to the river ford, then TURN AROUND and look for Manchester Road 50m back or so.
Now drive up Manchester Road. It's dirt and quite hilly and windy, but usually in good condition. A great drive!
The road will enter forest and you will pass a short sealed section with signs for THE COVE. Get ready, the campsite is just past this at the top of the next hill. You will find a gate on the left with a sign for THE STEPS - turn left and you are there!