The Wonderful Warrumbungles National Park

The Warrumbungles National Park in central west NSW is something you need to add to your bucket list. Not only does it have some of the most stunning hikes we've ever done in Australia, but it is also Australia's only dark sky park, meaning that the sights at night time are equally impressive.

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
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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.

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Campgrounds

There are 2 car accessible campgrounds in the Warrumbungles National Park; Camp Blackman and Camp Wambelong. As well as these, there are multiple walk or hike-in camp sites.

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
• 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!

Hikes

An overview of all the hikes we did whilst in the Warrumbungles.

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)

NSW National Park Stats at a glance
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​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!

Gould's Circuit & Bluff Mountain

If you add in Gould's Circuit and Bluff Mountain to your Grand High Tops Adventure then the entire hike will be closer to 18km. Gould's Circuit is mostly single track and easy to follow, whereas Bluff Mountain is steeper and not all on formed track - bushwalking experience required.

​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.

Split Rock Circuit

NSW National Park Stats at a glance
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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.

Burbie Canyon

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!

Tara Hands Cave

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. 

Whilst we were unable to complete with walk with a local guide due to Covid - 19 restrictions, we strongly recommend you do this via the Aboriginal Discovery Program that is normally offered at the park. ​

Well, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to the Warrumbungles ASAP! You won't be disappointed.