Mount Kaputar is one of the best national parks for the cooler months. Its walking tracks meander through an ancient landscape, dotted with volcanic rock formations, craggy peaks, and quiet valleys. And the wildlife? It’s everywhere—we bumped into red-necked wallabies and swamp wallabies, eastern grey kangaroos, spotted parrots and a solitary wallaroo.
Now, where exactly is Mount Kaputar National Park? (Really, you haven’t heard of it? Don’t worry—I hadn’t until it popped up on my map while I was searching for something to do near the Warrumbungles.) I might say it’s in the middle of nowhere, but by Australian standards, it’s not quite that remote. But you really do get some solitude here, as it’s one of those secret corners of New South Wales where not many people venture. We practically had the whole campground to ourselves!
Mount Kaputar National Park is roughly a seven-hour drive from both Coffs Harbour and Sydney, and almost eight hours from Brisbane. The closest town is Narrabri, located about 50 km west of the Kaputar Plateau, which is the park’s main area.
What to do here? You can’t miss a hike—or bushwalk, as the Aussies would say. So let’s see the best ones.
Read our general guide to Mount Kaputar here!
My favorite hikes in Mount Kaputar National Park
After tackling all the day hikes in the park, here’s my round-up of the most spectacular ones:
Best adventurous hike: Yulludunida walking track
If you’re looking for one of the absolute best viewpoints in the park, you’ve got to check this hike out! Now, fair warning, it’s short but definitely demanding – you’ll earn that view.
You’ll begin with a steep ascent, climbing steadily through the shaded woodland until you emerge onto a volcanic ridge. That part’s on the marked trail, but the adventure continues where the path officially stops. From the ridge, you’ll need to navigate an off-trail scramble up the steep side of the bluff to finally reach the summit. The payoff for your climb is immense: an absolutely stunning 360-degree panorama unfolds around you. You’ll also have an amazing vantage point looking directly into the Yulludunida ring dyke below (it’s a fascinating ring dyke formation, not an actual crater).
It’s certainly a challenging route that requires good balance and sturdy footwear, but believe me, the breathtaking view you’re rewarded with at the top makes the climb entirely worthwhile.
Yulludunida track info:
- Trailhead: Green Camp carpark
- Length: the formed track is 3 km return, reaching the summit adds about 500 m
- See the trail map here (though the final scramble is unmarked on trail maps).
Best remote adventure: Waa Gorge walking track
If you’re looking to explore a truly remote and wild part of the park, let me tell you about Waa Gorge. Getting there is part of the adventure! It takes nearly an hour from Sawn Rocks, mainly because the road is unsealed, bumpy, and winds through farmland. You’ll need a high-clearance vehicle for sure, as you’ll be crossing a few creeks – which, I have to admit, feels like a proper Aussie bush experience and still gives me a thrill!
The Waa Gorge hike takes you right into the heart of the beautiful Grattai Wilderness Area. When you arrive, the picnic area is basic and can be a bit dusty, but hey, there are composting toilets!
There’s essentially one main path to start: the Mill-bullah Walking Track. This is an easy, enjoyable 500-meter walk through the woods that brings you to the Mill-bullah waterholes. Water levels vary, but after good rain, you can picture waterfalls cascading down. Regardless of water, the geology here is fascinating – look out for the incredibly vibrant, layered rock formations that almost resemble a giant, natural waterslide (not for sliding down, obviously).
But we didn’t stop there. The Waa Gorge Walking Track picks up where the easy path ends, leading you on an amazing scramble deeper into the Grattai Wilderness. It’s an unformed track, but you basically just follow the creek bed (which is usually dry), making it fairly easy to find your way (though an offline map is never a bad idea!). This section demands sturdy shoes and confidence; it’s best for experienced walkers ready for rock hopping and a final scramble up the creek bed.
The payoff? As you venture further, the towering gorge walls rise dramatically around you, and you can get as far as the end of the canyon, just under the waterfall, in dry conditions. It’s a truly immersive and awe-inspiring experience! But don’t expect too much water in the falls – unless you’re right after heavy rains, in which case you likely can’t climb up as far in the creek bed.
You return the same way, starting with a slow descent on your bottom in the dry rocky creek bed below the waterfall.
Waa Gorge walking track info:
- Trailhead: Waa Gorge carpark
- Length: 2.5 km return (1 km return to the Mill-bullah waterholes)
- See the trail map here.
Best short walk: Sawn Rocks walking track
Sawn Rocks is not along the Mount Kaputar scenic drive, but north of the Kaputar Plateau, which you’ll need to return to the Newell Highway to reach it (along with Waa Gorge).
But Sawn Rocks is a fantastic and easily accessible stop, and one of the absolute highlights of the park. Killarney Gap Road directly takes you to the dedicated Sawn Rocks car park and picnic area.
The walk itself is very straightforward – a short, mostly level path, easy for almost anyone, leads you right to the viewing platform. What makes it so special is the striking “organ-piping” formation. You’ll see these tall, remarkably geometric pentagonal columns lining the cliff – a direct result of ancient lava cooling at just the right, slow, even pace. It’s a really clear and impressive example of this geological phenomenon.
Make sure you follow the path beyond the main lookout, as it descends into the dry creek bed. Here, you’ll find enormous, five-sided boulders scattered around, remnants that have broken away from the cliff face over time. There’s a really unique, almost otherworldly atmosphere walking among these giant stone shapes – it definitely sparks the imagination!
We happened to visit late in the day after being at Waa Gorge, and the late afternoon sun illuminated the rock columns beautifully, creating fantastic light for photos. So, if you can time it for that golden hour, I’d highly recommend it.
And when you’re done exploring, the picnic area is awaiting with free electric barbecues and covered tables!
Sawn Rocks walking track info:
- Trailhead: Sawn Rocks carpark
- Length: 1.5 km return
- See the trail map here.
Best short walk to a lookout: Euglah Rock walking track
Don’t miss the easy forest stroll to Euglah Rock lookout. The fenced lookout offers a view of Euglah Rock, a typical example of an isolated volcanic rock formation created by water and wind erosion over millions of years.
We stayed at Bark Hut campground, and I did this short walk every day, either in the morning or at the end of the day. Golden hour lights just before sunset are the best!
Euglah Rock walking track info:
- Trailhead: Bark Hut campground
- Length: 300 m one-way
- See the trail map here.
Best educational trail for families: Dawsons Spring nature trail
This lovely nature trail has educational boards posted along the way, and it leads you through varied vegetation in a subalpine area (yes, this is still NSW and not even the Snowy Mountains). Wander through a snow gum forest and a dense heathland, then past a tiny (seasonal) waterfall in a lush glen.
Keep an eye out for kangaroos, wallabies and birds. The best time to see wildlife is early or late in the day.
Dawsons Spring walking track info:
- Trailhead: Dawsons Spring campground
- Length: 1.7 km loop
- See the trail map here.
More scenic hikes in Mount Kaputar National Park
Have extra time for hiking in Mount Kaputar? Definitely explore more trails! We loved how each one offered different highlights: unique volcanic formations, sweeping views, colourful wildflowers (perfect in spring!), beautiful forests, and abundant birdlife.
Bundabulla circuit walking track
Explore the Kaputar Plateau on this lovely 5 km loop! It links the lava terraces of Lindsay Rock Tops with the Bundabulla Lookout and the Eckford lookout, guiding you through pleasant gum woodlands and tea tree shrubs. With minimal elevation change, it’s an easy walk, and the lookouts offer fantastic, wide views over the landscape.
Watch for lizards sunning themselves on the rock platforms – we saw plenty, along with parrots in the trees! The spring wildflowers were also impressive during our visit.
While you can visit the lookouts individually, the full loop is so enjoyable and easy, it’s highly recommended. A small portion does follow the road, but it’s the very quiet, dead-end part of Kaputar Road, so traffic isn’t a concern.
Bundabulla circuit walking track info:
- Trailhead: Lindsay Rock Tops carpark
- Length: 5.2 km loop
- See the trail map here.
Mount Coryah walking track
The hike to the summit of Mount Coryah takes you on a fantastic journey through classic Australian bush, starting in gum woodland and ascending into more rugged sub-alpine terrain. You’ll begin with a fairly gentle climb, winding your way through the woods – a nice warm-up! But then, be prepared for the track to ramp up; a series of stairs and some genuinely steep sections will definitely get your heart pumping as you make your way towards the peak.
The absolute highlight, and the most spectacular part of this track, is the section that circles around Mount Coryah itself. Here, you’ll carefully navigate a narrow, rocky ledge right along the cliff edge, which feels quite adventurous! This part demands respect and caution – the trail is narrow and can be slippery, so take your time and watch your footing. As you traverse this thrilling section, don’t forget to admire the majestic, ancient grass trees clinging to the slopes and the sheer, imposing rock walls beside you.
Mount Coryah walking track info:
- Trailhead: Coryah Gap picnic area
- Length: 3.9 km return (partial loop)
- See the trail map here.
Kaputar Plateau walk
If you’re up for the longest day hike on the plateau, the Kaputar Plateau walk is your trail. It guides you past two pleasant lookouts offering views similar to what you’d see on the Bundabulla circuit. However, the real essence of this hike is the long, peaceful immersion in the woodland. Expect plenty of quiet stretches perfect for spotting colourful wildflowers and listening to the abundant birdlife.
One thing to note: completing the loop involves walking nearly 2 km along Kaputar Road itself – and unlike the Bundabulla circuit, this isn’t the quiet dead-end section. While the road isn’t typically very busy, it’s important to stay alert and be mindful of passing cars.
While we personally found the Bundabulla circuit and Mount Coryah hikes a bit more spectacular overall, this walk had its own quiet charm. We had some wonderful encounters with parrots and kangaroos along the way, so we were definitely glad we added it to our list!
Kaputar Plateau walking track info:
- Trailhead: Kaputar Plateau Fire Trail parking
- Length: 8.2 km loop
- See the trail map here.
Best time to visit Mount Kaputar National Park
While it’s not quite the official outback, it definitely shares that rugged, remote vibe, especially when it comes to weather. Summers here can be brutal – scorching heat, dry air, and absolutely zero places to take a cooling dip. No rivers, lakes, or swimming holes nearby. Unless you enjoy feeling like you’re slowly baking on a rock, I’d give summer a miss.
We visited in September, and the weather was pleasant for hiking. Generally, the sweet spot for visiting is during the cooler months, roughly from late April through to early October, when the heat is much more forgiving.
That said, don’t underestimate the altitude in winter! It can get genuinely cold up on the plateau, with temperatures often dropping below freezing, and yes, sometimes it even snows.
May and September could be the best choice for campers, because days are already cooler, but nights are not too cold yet.
Where to stay?
You’ve got great options for camping right up on the plateau. Both Bark Hut and Dawsons Spring campgrounds are great choices, offering hot showers and proper flush toilets (luxury after some remote campgrounds!). Dawsons Spring even has a few cozy cabins if you prefer solid walls over tent fabric!
Not really the camping type? The town of Narrabri is your best bet for a convenient base while exploring the national park. Check out the Kaputar Motel – they offer a variety of rooms, have an outdoor pool for warmer days, and you can usually add breakfast to your booking.
Looking for something a bit more peaceful and tucked away? Consider Riverside Farm Retreat in nearby Eulah. It’s situated just outside of town, surrounded by nature, and offers comfortable rooms or cottages for a truly relaxing escape after a day of hiking.
Essential prep: water, food & supplies
Mount Kaputar is pretty remote, and facilities are limited within the national park. There’s generally no reliable drinking water available on the trails or at most picnic areas and campgrounds, so you must carry all the water you’ll need for your hikes – and probably a bit extra, just in case.
The same goes for food and other supplies. There are no shops within the park. Your best bet is to stock up on snacks, lunch, fuel, and anything else you need in Narrabri before you head up the mountain.
Have good quality, responsibly sourced food for the trail
So… are you ready to set foot in this volcanic landscape?
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