One of the great things about NSW is that, no matter how widely you have travelled around the state, you can still find new and different places to visit.

This is especially true of our large network of national parks. While favourites such as the Royal, Kosciuszko and the Warrumbungles continue to attract large numbers of walkers and campers, the addition of many new parks over the past few years, some in quite remote areas, has opened up more opportunities for those who really want to go bush and get away from their fellow humans for a while.

North of Inverell, in the upper New England region, is a magnificent new national park called Kwiambal (pronounced Kigh-am-bal.) It takes its name from the aboriginal people of the district.

Combine a trip to Kwiambal with some four-wheel driving in nearby Torrington State Recreation Area, and, closer to Inverell, a night or two camped at Kings Plains National Park, and you'll get a real feel for the wild New England tableland, especially its deep, fractured granite gorges.

Kwiambal is 90 km north of Inverell, via Ashford. The last 20 km into the park is unsealed. It's no problem for a conventional sedan in dry weather, but after rain access could be difficult. The region is hilly, and has a myriad of small creeks, which in heavy rain can quickly rise to cut off roads at any one of hundreds of small causeways.

Kwiambal is still a bit of a secret. We camped there in January, at the height of the school holidays, and had much of the place to ourselves.

It was only gazetted as a national park in 2000, and its camping ground has just been completed. Located at Lemon Tree Flat on the banks of the Severn River, it's as beautiful a place to camp as you'll find anywhere in the state.

A grassed area, shaded by eucalypts and pines, is large enough so that you can camp a reasonable distance from your neighbour - if indeed you have one.

Most of the camping area has no vehicle access, to prevent erosion and dust. However you can simply park your car and camp on the other side of the log barrier, or carry your gear a few metres down towards the river to your preferred spot.

For those who need to park right next to their tent, or who have a van in tow, the southern section of the camping area is open and you can drive in.

Facilities include an all-weather cooking shelter, some tables, barbecues and toilets. You have to carry your rubbish out, and bring your own water and wood in. You can get water from the river, but though it seems to be clear and clean it should as a precaution be boiled before use.

The Severn River, adjacent to the campground, has a high granite wall bank on the other side, topped by large boulders which at any time seem as though they could topple into the river.

This would be a pity, because at the northern end of the camping area is access to the river with a couple of spots where you can slide in for a swim. The current is fairly strong in the middle of the river, but at the edges, where it ebbs around the rocks, are several still pools. In summer, the water temperature is perfect.

When we were camped at Lemon Tree Flat, a couple of blokes were trying their luck with the fish. Murray cod is the big prize. Every pub in the district has a selection of gaping mouthed heads on the wall. I didn't see any joy on our fishos' faces, though. Golden perch - yellowbelly - and catfish are also caught here.

Several walks in Kwiambal lead to other riverside areas where chances are you can enjoy a swim, or just relax, in the company no one.

The junction of the Severn and Macintyre rivers is reached via the Junction Track, a four kilometre walk from the campground entrance along an old vehicle track (now closed.) There's a moderately steep hill at either end; in between the track follows a ridge clad in ironbark, box, gum and cypress pine woodlands.

These once covered vast areas of the north west slopes; the remaining fragments are home to many endangered small insect- eating bird species. Kwiambal also contains 15 per cent of the native dry rainforest left in NSW.

When you reach the junction, just head down to the right to the banks of the Severn, where you'll find several small, secluded beaches among the rocks, with calm water for swimming.

The most spectacular place for a dip is on the Macintyre River. It's a five-minute drive from Lemon Tree Flat to the Macintyre Falls picnic area, where a lookout provides a great view over the high, rugged gorge.

Steps and a boardwalk have been constructed so you can get down to the river - it's steep, and about 500 metres in length ? where there's a plunge pool among the rocks. At a small adjacent beach you can have a swim under the towering cliff on the Macintyre's north bank.

There are no accessible 4WD tracks in Kwiambal, but you can spend an enjoyable day exploring nearby Torrington State Recreation Area, where four-wheel driving is permitted.

If you're driving from Kwiambal, head back to Ashford then take the road to the old mining town of Emmaville, which is 55 km away. The road is mostly dirt however it's a superb drive through rolling farmland. Torrington is 21 km north east of Emmaville, via the village that gave this park its name.

It is also accessible from the New England highway at Deepwater, 40 km north of Glen Innes.

Torrington SRA encompasses the Mole Tableland, and as it's surrounded by cleared farmland it's an important wildlife refuge for threatened fauna. It also contains 45 rare, endangered plant species.

Fossicking for beryl, emerald, topaz and other semi precious gemstones is also popular in Torrington. At Blather Creek, campsites are provided.

The 4WD tracks in Torrington are not particularly arduous for a large wagon with low range gearing, but some sections will present a challenge for lightweights such as the CR-V or RAV4. Access gates are locked in wet weather.

The Gulf Road end of the Carpet Snake Fire Trail has a steepish, twisting climb (entering the park) as you head up to the top of the tableland, and the western end of the Duck Creek Fire Trail also has a steep section, but otherwise the driving is easy.

Before you head out to Kwiambal or Torrington, drop in to the Visitors Centre at Inverell and pick up one of the informative National Parks and Wildlife Service brochures. These have a map, plenty of information on activities, history, flora, geology and wildlife.

NSW National Parks can be closed at times of bushfire and bushfire danger. It is advisable to check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service before you set off. Either phone 1300 361 967 (within NSW) or (02) 9253 4600 or visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.