The Wonderful Warrumbungles National Park
Famous for both the Grand High Tops and Breadknife hikes, the Warrumbungles landscape scattered with large rock formations, is unlike anywhere else in Australia. There are hikes for all levels of fitness, making this park fun for the whole family.
To access the NSW National Parks Brochure on Warrumbungle National Park click HERE
HOT TIP: Always check the Local Alerts for the park you are visiting to check out what areas are open and closed to help you plan your visit.
Campgrounds
Camp Blackman
- Hot showers
- Flush toilets
- Running water (this needs to be treated, and is not always available)
- Pricing:
- Unpowered – $16 for 2 adults
- Powered – $24 for 2 adults
In Camp Blackman there are 3 sections; 1, 2 and 3. 3 is all powered sites, 2 is a mix of powered and unpowered sites and 1 is all unpowered and primarily for tent camping.
Camp Wambelong
- Pit Toilets
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Pricing:
- Unpowered – $16 for 2 adults
We chose to stay in Blackman 2. This decision was largely based on the view of Split Rock from our campsite, as well as the showers – who doesn’t want a hot shower after a long day hiking?
DID YOU KNOW? Due to COVID-19 all NSW National Parks campgrounds need to be pre-booked (even the free ones!) As a lot of the campgrounds are remote (and with minimal, if any, cell service) it helps to book before you get there – especially for the popular ones!
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Hikes
As well as a description and some stats, we’ve popped a link to our Strava activity files on there to give a little more in-depth information on distance, elevation and time.
Still on our list of hikes to do in the park is Mount Exmouth!
Breadknife and Grand High Tops (return via West Spirey Creek)
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NSW National Park Stats at a glance
Length: 14.5 (Or 18km if you add in Gould’s Circuit and Bluff Mountain like we did) Track Grading: Steep Suggested time: 5 – 6 hours The Breadknife and Grand High Tops hike rewards participants with panoramic views of the incredible rock formations throughout this unique geological landscape. This route is very steep in sections and there are many stairs. It’s beautiful but the hills and stairs do pack a punch, so be ready to get the legs working!
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Gould’s Circuit & Bluff Mountain
Both additions were well worth it and we highly recommend adding them in if you’re up for a bigger day out!
All up our round trip was around 5 hours including lunch & photo stops.
Gould’s circuit (via Febar and Macha Tor) can be accessed without having to do the full large loop, and works out to be a 6.3k circuit from Pincham Car park. This hike is graded as moderate to steep.
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Split Rock Circuit
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NSW National Park Stats at a glance
Length: 4.5km Track Grading: Steep to very steep and rough in sections- Note – Don’t attempt this one in wet weather. This would turn a fun little scramble into a sketchy day out. Suggested time: 3 Hours This hike was short and steep! The hike begins following the Burbie Fire Trail. After a little while you will take a turn off to the left. This is where the hike gradually starts to climb in elevation. After 2km you will reach a ladder, at this point you can either choose to climb the ladder and scramble to the top of the peak or you can keep going around the circuit and head back to the car park. We chose to climb the ladder. The scariest part of the climb is just after the ladder, the rest is very tame comparatively, and it’s totally worth it for the views! However, it is good to know that the track isn’t formed after the ladder so you’ll need to keep an eye out for the white arrows and road markers that are sporadically on the rocks. |
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Burbie Canyon
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NSW National Park Stats
Length: 2km Track Grading: Easy Suggested time: 40 minutes This cute little out and back trail is flat and easy. It follows the river and joins up with the Burbie Fire Trail at the end. It was a nice little leg stretch, and we saw an emu! |
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Tara Hands Cave
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NSW National Park Stats
Length: 3.4km Return Track Grading: Suggested time: 1.5 hr This track starts from the carpark at what used to be the old wool shed until it was destroyed in the fires that ripped through the park in 2013.The path is largely paved and well graded. Tara caves at the end of the trail is a sacred place of the traditional custodians of the Warrumbungles, and the opening to the cave has unfortunately had to be caged off to prevent damage due to visitors disrespecting this special place. The boardwalk at the front of the cave also gives visitors another viewpoint of the ancient volcanic landscape of the Warrumbungle Ranges. |
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Hi Bec & Sean,
We’re currently planning a trip to the Warrumbungles National Park! Thanks for all of the great information on camping. It has really helped with our planning. The fact that your post is so recent as well is really helpful.
We’ve been using Wikiloc to record our hikes. But you’ve got me thinking about using Strava!
Cheers, Dan & Beck | Travel Made Me Do It
Hey Dan & Beck!
So stoked this helped you out, thats the aim!
I’m sure you’ll have an epic time, its a really beautiful park.
Strava is awesome we use it for running, hiking, cycling, swimming… everything really.
Safe Travels, maybe we’ll see you out on the trails one day.
Cheers,
Bec & Sean
Hey guys! Thanks for this helpful information. How many days would you recommend to hike this National Park? Thanks.
Hey Santiago!
Thank you ? We would recommend at least 2 days, but easily up to 4 or 5 depending on how many hikes you’d like to complete and whether you’d like rest days in between.
It’s a beautiful spot!
Hi guys,
Which campsite did you book in blackman 2? I want to make sure we book a site with a view 🙂
Hey Vanessa!
Oh I am jealous, wish we were heading back there soon! I have just had a look at my emails and it doesn’t appear we were able to pick a site number when we booked. From memory we drove in and checked the sites out!
I’ve had a look at google maps and the campground map and it looks like when you enter Blackman 2 if you take a right at the fork on the way in our site would have been along there!
Hope this helps!
Have a great time 😄
Bec