Four nature walks in Narrabri, the unofficial adventure capital of NSW
This article is brought to you by the Narrabri Region.
NSW isn’t short on national parks and, within them, nature walks. What is rare are the stunning geological sites you can walk alongside, carved by flowing lava from a volcano active 18 million years ago. Today, the volcano is extinct, and its remnants form Mount Kaputar National Park, home to about a dozen nature walks.
“Because not a lot of people know about it yet, on any given day, you can be the only person on a trail,” says Jo Hannaford, a Narrabri resident of 35 years and tourism officer for the region.
“You can be at a peak, looking out over the plains, watching the big wedge-tailed eagles soaring, and you won’t see much evidence of humans at all. You won’t hear a man-made sound. The serenity of it – you’ve got to experience it to believe it. It’s like nothing else.”
Here, Hannaford, a member of Narrabri Region’s Bushwalking Club, shares some of her favourite walks to do in the area.
Mt Kaputar, Summit, Sunset View Image credits: Narrabri Region
Mount Kaputar Summit
The most known walk in Mount Kaputar National Park is Mount Kaputar Summit Walk. Yulludunida Crater and Coryah Gap are the best challenging walks on the mountain. Park at Dawsons Spring picnic area where the trail starts and then walk among towering eucalyptus for 1km to a lookout point at the summit.
“From the summit, you can see 10 per cent of NSW,” Hannaford says. “You get an almost 360-degree view. Could you imagine that at sunrise or sunset? If you’re there at the right time, it’s absolutely incredible.”
If you’re keen to see sunrise or sunset from the summit, consider booking a night or two at Dawsons Spring cabins in the park. The summit also has a carpark mere minutes’ away, so if you want to witness it but don’t want to do the walk, you can park there.
Mt Kaputar, Summit. Image credits: Narrabri Region
Sawn Rocks Walking Track
Sawn Rocks Walking Track is a 1.5km return track that’s wheelchair- and pram-friendly. It takes 15 to 45 minutes to complete, depending on how often you stop. The walk goes along a shaded creek bed and reaches Sawn Rocks Lookout.
“If you go down next to the creek and explore there, you’ll often have little rock pools. If the water’s flowing, you can get some creative photos. A lot of people love to play with photos of Sawn Rocks because it’s so photogenic.
”The highlight of this walk is the unusual rock formation at the lookout. It’s shaped like a wall of organ pipes, a reminder of Mount Kaputar’s volcanic past. Bring snacks for a picnic at the Sawn Rocks picnic area, next to the carpark, after your stroll.
Sawn Rocks. Image credits: Narrabri Region
Waa Gorge Walking Track
Another of Hannaford’s trail picks is Waa Gorge Walking Track. It’s a grade 5, with rough, steep and unmarked tracks, meant only for experienced bushwalkers. Though it’s a tough trail, it’s only 2.5km return, so should only take about 2-3 hours.
“You’re working your way along the creek and then up into the mouth of the gorge,” Hannaford says. “Each side you have these stunning cliff faces. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
To get to the carpark for the start of Waa Gorge Walking Track, you’ll need to drive about 40km along gravel road, so you’ll ideally have a four-wheel drive. The track passes Mill-bullah waterholes, twin rock pools where you can swim. So if you think you’ll be keen to cool off after the walk, bring your swimmers.
Waa Gorge Swimming hole. Image credit: Narrabri Region
Sandstone Caves Walking Track
Located in Pilliga Forest, Sandstone Caves Walking Track sees you walking in the steps of the Gamilaraay people on a 1.7km loop. You’ll pass forests to reach sandstone hills with ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. Stop here to read plaques explaining the meaning of the engravings and get a deeper appreciation for this special place.
“The Pilliga Forest is large – a million wild acres,” Hannaford says. “It’s one of the largest native forests in Australia and was once used for logging – cypress pine and ironbark. They used the ironbark for railway sleepers to help build railway lines, so it’s a very historical forest.”
Hannaford also suggests you do the 3km-return Sculptures in the Scrub Walk in Pilliga Forest. Four years in the making, the walk weaves around Aboriginal sculptures, commissioned with guidance from Aboriginal elders. Signage along the path explains the inspiration behind, and the meaning of, each sculpture.
Pilliga Forest Lookout, Pilliga Forest Sculptures and Sandstone Caves. Image credit: Narrabri Region
This article is brought to you by the Narrabri Region.
