House to a number of the greatest landscapes in New South Wales, this information to the very best Warrumbungles walks within the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park will show you how to plan your day hikes, brief walks and extra in your subsequent go to.
New South Wales is a mecca for out of doors lovers. From superb coastlines to alpine peaks, there’s quite a lot of unimaginable landscapes to get pleasure from should you like a little bit of journey.
Having explored a good quantity of the state, we thought we had seen all of it. That was till we made our solution to the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park and immediately had our minds blown!
This beautiful nationwide park rises out of an in any other case featureless panorama a couple of hours inland, with dramatic mountains and native forests ready to be explored. Excellent should you’re a hiker like us!
We spent a couple of days tenting right here with the intention of ticking off all the foremost Warrumbungles walks, together with one we’d heard was one of many prime 10 hikes in Australia. And it didn’t disappoint!
READ MORE: Take a look at our favorite Royal National Park walks should you’re planning a visit to this epic place too!
For those who’re planning to hike the Warrumbungles, this information will assist reply all of your questions.
Prepared? Let’s dive into it.
Warrumbungle Nationwide Park Journey Information
Earlier than you go climbing in Warrumbungle Nationwide Park, you in fact should get there!
Right here’s a bit of information in regards to the park.
The place is Warrumbungle Nationwide Park?
Warrumbungle Nationwide Park is situated within the Central Western space of New South Wales of Australia, 500km northwest of Sydney.
The closest city to Warrumbungle Nationwide Park is Coonabarabran, which is 33km from the park.
There are not any services in Warrumbungle Nationwide Park so that is the closest city to get your provides.
Coonabarabran has a gas station, grocery store, cafes, lodging (if you’re not tenting) and eating places.
How Do I Get to Warrumbungle Nationwide Park?
The one solution to get to Warrumbungle Nationwide Park is by driving. There isn’t a public transport obtainable.
There are a few routes you may get to Warrumbungle Nationwide Park from Sydney.
- You may undergo the Blue Mountains in direction of Wallerawang. After Wallerawang, you’ll observe the B55 north in direction of Mudgee then Dunedoo and persevering with on to Coonabarabran. You’ll then head west to get to Warrumbungle Nationwide Park.
- Or you’ll be able to head north to Newcastle, then head observe the M15 which is able to take you north west. The highway turns into B84 and you’ll head in direction of Cassilis. After Cassilis, you’ll flip proper to go north in direction of Coonabarabran. You’ll then head west to get to Warrumbungle Nationwide Park.
How A lot is a Nationwide Park Go for the Warrumbungles
As it’s a Nationwide Park, you’ll have to buy a go to enter.
You are able to do this by both shopping for a each day go, or buy a yearly pass to go to Warrumbungles Nationwide Park. And sure, the rangers do come and verify.
The Park entry payment is $8 per car per day or a 1-year single park go is $22.
You can even get a greater deal should you purchase the 1-year a number of nationwide park go for $65 (excluding Kozioscko Nationwide Park) if you wish to absorb different nice walks in NSW at different nationwide parks.
Greatest Time to Go to Warrumbungle Nationwide Park
Between April and September is the very best time to go to Warrumbungle Nationwide Park, because the climate is rather more nice within the winter.
The cooler temperatures imply the Warrumbungles hikes are rather more comfy. The stargazing can be a lot clearer.
It does get chilly and may rain so do convey layers and a raincoat. The crowds are fewer and nature smells wonderful!
Throughout the summer season months (November by means of to the start of March) being within the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park could be very sizzling.
For those who do go throughout this time, be sure to have sufficient water with you.
What’s a Darkish Sky Park?
The Warrumbungles are Australia’s first Dark Sky Park and the primary of its type within the Southern Hemisphere.
If you wish to see stars, that is the place to do it. With crystal clear skies, low humidity and low altitude, it makes for superior circumstances for stargazing.
The world-class astronomy analysis facility, Siding Spring Observatory, is simply down the highway from the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park Customer Centre.
Warrumbungles Nationwide Park is understood for stargazing because the nights may be crystal-clear. This does all rely upon the climate. Sadly, once we have been there it was raining and overcast.
There are a couple of buildings and a small inhabitants which can be within the space so the sunshine air pollution could be very low.
In case you are into astrophotography, that is the place you’re going to get your greatest Milky Manner photographs. Plan your photographs and profit from the clear skies and no gentle air pollution.
The Final Information to the Greatest Warrumbungles Walks and Hikes
There are a selection of Warrumbungles walks you are able to do within the park. All of it is dependent upon what you might be in search of and the way a lot time you have got.
Here’s a record under from the shortest walks to the longest ones, all qualify as a number of the greatest walks in NSW.
Tara Caves Stroll
- Distance: 4km return
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Ascent: 150m
- Amenities: Rest room and picnic tables at Woolshed Picnic Space
Tara Cave is a rock shelter that’s one to not miss if you want to be taught in regards to the Aboriginal folks of this space.
This cave was utilized by the Aboriginal folks for hundreds of years and was used till round 1850.
There are fascinating tool-making grooves on the entrance of the shelter that are seen from the viewing space.
These have been created hundreds of years in the past and are nonetheless so seen. It’s unimaginable.
The monitor that results in Tara Cave, is effectively maintained and is accessible for a pram or wheelchair.
Begin your hike on the Woolshed Picnic Space. You may park your automobile right here and there’s a drop bathroom should you want it.
Wambelong Nature Strolling Monitor
- Distance: 1km loop
- Time: 30-60 minutes
- Amenities: Bathrooms and picnic tables at Canyon Picnic Space
That is the shortest hike within the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park. However simply because it’s the shortest, this doesn’t imply you’ll not see something.
This monitor is good for wildlife and birdwatching, so bring your camera.
From the Canyon Picnic Space, observe the indicators and it’ll lead you alongside the Wambelong Creek. Hold your eyes open and your ears alert.
It’s possible you’ll even see a brown falcon or red-winged parrots on the horizon. Don’t neglect to search for, you would possibly spot a koala if you’re actually fortunate. And there are emus within the space so be careful for them!
I can not even rely the quantity of Kangaroos we noticed. Kangaroos will laze round and loosen up within the shade in the course of the hottest components of the day at close by Camp Wambelong.
The rock formations within the mountain space are fascinating. You will notice distinctive rock formations and dramatic spires formed by volcanic exercise over one million years in the past. It’s wonderful to consider how they have been as soon as shaped.
At one level the monitor rises steeply the place you can be greeted with a gorgeous lookout view of the valley and Spilt Rock. Take some snacks and sit and revel in.
Breadknife and Grand Excessive Tops Hike
- Distance: 14.5km loop
- Time: 7-8 hours
- Ascent: 642m
- Amenities: Drop bogs at Grand Excessive Tops Carpark and camps alongside the path
This one is likely one of the hottest day hikes you are able to do in Warrumbungle Nationwide Park.
In truth, it’s most likely top-of-the-line walks in New South Wales. However this one is for the moderately match hikers as it’s lengthy, steep and difficult.
This stroll gives wonderful views of the world and so many various viewpoints. Take some lunch or snacks and have a break on the Grand Excessive Tops Lookout the place you’ll be able to take in the views of the traditional volcanic panorama.
READ MORE: Now we have a complete record of climbing ideas! Check them out here.
For those who depart early and are moderately match, you are able to do the is path in in the future. However if you wish to break up the stroll you’ll be able to camp in a single day at Balor Hut or Dows Camp that are each situated alongside this route.
There isn’t a water right here so you will have to usher in what you will have. Water could be very scarce within the park. See the data under in regards to the hut and campgrounds.
In order for you extra of a problem you are able to do a aspect journey to Lugh’s Throne which is a brief however very steep climb to the summit.
Belougery Cut up Rock
- Distance: 7km
- Period: 3 hours
- Ascent: 350m
- Amenities: Rest room at Camp Wambelong
We did this stroll to Belougery Spire on our first day in Warrumbungle Nationwide Park. Regardless of solely being a brief stroll, it was difficult and steep in sections.
The strolling monitor is a circuit and is simple to observe at first. The monitor leads you up the shady Burbie Canyon.
However as we obtained increased, the timber thinned and also you needed to observe the yellow markers on the rocks.
Despite the fact that the monitor is difficult, it’s price it while you attain the highest lookout.
Sadly, we didn’t get proper to the summit because it had been raining and the rocks have been slippery. There’s a little bit of climbing and scrambling to achieve the summit and this isn’t advisable if it has been raining.
However nonetheless obtained wonderful views! Take a snack and have a relaxation up the highest and take all of it in.
It’s inside strolling distance from Camp Wambelong. In case you are not staying at this camp, you’ll be able to park in Cut up Rock Automotive Park.
The stroll begins at Cut up Rock Automotive Park. That is 2.3km alongside Timor Highway previous the turnoff to Camp Blackman and the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park Customer Centre.
Bluff Mountains Circuit
- Distance: 17km
- Time: 7-8 hours
- Ascent: 700m
Wish to see the face of the very best cliffs within the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park? Nicely, this stroll is the one for you. This one is for the loopy adventurers!
Bluff Mountain is the very best of the cliffs within the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park. This stroll will take you to the highest of the cliffs the place you’ll have wonderful views of the world. You may see so many various peaks from this spot.
After climbing to the highest you’ll come to the Bluff Mountain lookout and be rewarded with unimaginable views of the Warrumbungles volcanic peaks and protect volcano domes like Bluff Pyramid, Mount Exmouth, Tonduron Spire and Mount Naman’s thick lava flows.
This stroll begins and finishes at Pincham Automotive Park.
Mt Exmouth
- Distance: 26km
- Time: 2 days
- Ascent: 1230m
- Amenities: Drop bathroom at Danu Camp
Now this one is the longest and possibly essentially the most tough stroll within the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park. Most guests that come to the park, will go on day hikes.
However if you’d like extra of an journey, try this in a single day stroll that can take you 26 km by means of the gorgeous wilderness. It’s simply top-of-the-line walks within the state.
This stroll is for knowledgeable hikers and must be deliberate. Go to the Warrumbungle Guests Centre to ask for a map and details about this stroll.
As that is an in a single day stroll, it is suggested to signal the registration e book earlier than leaving and let household or pals know the place you might be.
Water is difficult to return by, so be ready. There’s a hut to remain at alongside the best way, Balor Hut.
Right here you’ll discover a water tank to your ingesting water and cooking. Do take water therapy tablets to be secure. Affirm with the guests centre whether or not the hut does have water and the monitor is ok.
Park on the Pincham Automotive Park. That is the place the monitor leaves from. You’ll have to have a nationwide park parking ticket in your car in case the ranger comes round at evening.
On day 1 you’ll head to Dows Camp which is 11 km away and an ascent of 820 m. On day 2, you’ll hike to Pincham Automotive Park which is 15 km and an ascent of 410 m.
You have to to hold every thing with this stroll, together with cooker, pots, meals, tenting gear and sleeping gear. Take a day bag as you’ll be able to depart your bag in locations and do aspect journeys.
Basic and Security Info About Warrumbungle Nationwide Park
Take into account that the Warrumbungles are a distant, wild and probably harmful place.
So earlier than you go hitting the paths, be sure to’re ready.
Amenities
There are solely drop bogs inside Warrumbungle Nationwide Park. They’re situated in a number of carparks and within the campgrounds.
The one campground that has flushing bogs is Camp Blackman, which additionally has sizzling showers as effectively.
If you might want to go to the bathroom out in nature, please choose up your bathroom paper. Sadly folks depart this after they’ve gone in nature and animals eat it and grow to be very sick, even dying.
We supply a rest room bag with us. It has sanitiser in it, bathroom paper and a biodegradable bag for our bathroom paper.
We choose it up and take it to the closest drop bathroom or garbage bin when coming back from the stroll. We take this on a regular basis on our lengthy hikes and tenting journeys.
Climate
The climate within the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park can change rapidly so be ready. Test the climate and winds the evening earlier than to arrange to your stroll the next day.
For those who do not need cellphone reception, the Guests Centre has these stories. Take a rain jacket and a rain cowl to your bag. These are at all times nice to have and you can be grateful when the climate turns unexpectedly.
Water
Take the quantity of water you want for all of the walks. We are saying take at the very least 1.5 – 2lt per individual on lengthy trails.
There isn’t a water alongside the best way to refill so you will have to take what you want for the day.
In case you are staying on the camps on the multi-day walks, there are tanks of rainwater there so that you can use. Do take water therapy tablets to be secure.
Carry the Right Gear
It’s loopy how many individuals we now have seen strolling within the incorrect appropriate clothes or not being ready for the size of the stroll.
Be sure you are dressed for strolling and never a day on the seashore. These are two totally different environments.
Make sure that you’re ready and you’ve got rain jackets and heat clothes simply in case. Our saying is healthier to be secure or sorry.
Letting Somebody Know
It’s at all times good to let somebody know the place you’re going and what you might be doing, particularly if you’re by yourself in Warrumbungles.
The cellphone reception within the nationwide park could be very patchy.
You may verify in with the guests centre and signal the registration e book. This retains monitor of hikers and for rangers to understand how typically trails and camps are used.
Wildlife
There may be a lot wildlife within the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park. It’s wonderful to witness with many alternatives for shut up views. Please by no means feed or attempt to contact these animals.
For those who stroll rapidly you might come throughout kangaroos feeding or birds taking part in within the timber. It’s lovely to see.
That is what climbing in nature is all about, not blaring music and loud speaking. Please respect nature and different hikers round.
The place to remain in Warrumbungle Nationwide Park
There are a number of campgrounds to remain at in Warrumbungle Nationwide Park. All of the campsites under require a reserving on-line on the NSW Nationwide Parks web site here.
There are solely campsites within the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park. There isn’t a mattress lodging.
However right here is resort and guesthouse lodging within the nearest city Coonabarabran which is 33km away.
Campsites
Planning on tenting? Listed here are the highest spots to take action within the park.
Drive-In Camps
The 2 under are the most well-liked campgrounds as they’re accessible through campervan, caravan or every other car. Tents are welcome too.
Camp Blackman
- Variety of Websites: 105 powered and unpowered websites
That is the most well-liked campground because it has powered and unpowered websites.
It additionally has flushing bogs and sizzling showers within the Blackman 1 part. Blackman 1 has the unpowered websites and Blackman 2 has the powered websites.
The websites, particularly within the powered part can get crowded.
Camp Walaay
- Variety of Websites: 5 unpowered websites
This camp is situated close to the Warrumbungle Nationwide Park Environmental Training Centre. These camp areas are large, excellent for giant teams.
These are unpowered websites however are inside strolling distance of the new water showers and flushing bogs about 300 meters away.
Camp Wambelong
Variety of Websites: 35 unpowered websites
This can be a actually quiet camp in contrast with Camp Blackman. It’s obtained a really relaxed really feel with out many services.
The one services are 2 drop bogs. You should use the new showers and flush bogs at Camp Blackman however it’s 5.2kms away.
This camp is immediately throughout the highway from the Cut up Rock Path and Burbie Path.
Stroll-in Camps
All of the camps under are tents solely. Be sure you have a good, lightweight hiking tent for this.
Burbie Camp
Burbie Camp is a walk-in camp that provides distant bush tenting close to a pure spring with wildlife, birdwatching, scenic views, and stargazing.
It’s situated on the west aspect of the Grand Excessive Prime Circuit Monitor.
Pincham Camp
Camp Pincham gives rustic walk-in tenting. It’s alongside the east aspect of the Grand Excessive Prime Circuit monitor firstly close to about 260m carpark.
Dows Camp
This camp is a primary, walk-in camp situated 8km from Pincham Carpark, situated on the east aspect of the Grand Excessive Prime Circuit Monitor. In case you are climbing the Breadknife and Grand Excessive Tops monitor loop, you’ll go it.
Many hikers keep at this camp as a stopover to summit Bluff Mountain, which is a superb spot to look at dawn or sundown from. It’s a steep climb and difficult 2.4km path.
Give your self 3-4 hours to stroll to the camp from the carpark.
Set your tent up and revel in some evening/s sleeping in nature. Catch a sundown and if the skies are clear, don’t neglect to get out and do some stargazing.
Balor Hut Campground
This distant walk-in hut can take as much as 4 friends. The payment above included unique use of the hut. This implies, It’s $24.60 for the entire hut for the evening, whether or not you might be 1 individual or 4 folks, you get this hut to your self.
There are 4 bunk beds within the hut. You’ll have to convey your personal bedding (tenting mat, tenting pillow, sleeping bag and sleeping liner).
On the hut, there’s a bathroom, desk and an inside wooden hearth. There may be additionally a water tank there, however verify with the guests centre while you register if there’s water within the tank. Take water therapy tablets.
Parking is at Pincham carpark. Balor Hut is roughly a 6 km stroll uphill with a few steep pinches. The camp is situated on the west aspect of the Grand Excessive Prime Circuit Monitor.
Ogma Hole campground
The country Ogma Hole campground is a walk-in distant camp. Positioned on the west aspect of the Grand Excessive Prime Monitor Circuit.
Hurleys camp
Hurleys camp is a distant campground on the base of Belougery Spire, tucked away off the Grand Excessive Tops Circuit Monitor. It’s situated on the aspect of the monitor.
Danu camp
This small camp is a walk-in campground that’s situated excessive within the mountains. In case you are doing the Mount Exmouth hike or exploring the Burdie path by bike or by foot, this Danu Camp is the proper stopover to remain the evening and relaxation.
There’s a rainwater tank there however do convey sterilisation tablets.
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