Australia So Much to See

New South Wales - Mount Kaputar National Park

Bark Hut campground in Mount Kaputar National Park, features sites for camper trailers, barbecues, picnic tables and hot showers (above right).  There is a lovely amenities block, with flushing toilets and hot showers. 

Dawsons Spring campground is a fully equipped accommodation area with a variety of barbecue options and several good walking tracks, including one to the summit lookout.  We did not inspect this campground, but it is similarly appointed to Bark Hut campground with toilets and hot showers. 

At Narrabri, we stayed at the showground which allows camping over a large area, offers powered sites and has two similar basic amenities blocks.  There is a dump point on site (although it was out of service but being fixed when we stayed).  Fees are very reasonable. This was an ideal base for taking day trips.  There are also three caravan parks in town. 

The camping area backs on to Narrabri Lake but does not give direct access.  However this gives a pleasant outlook.

The grounds are set well back from highway traffic noise.  There was traffic noise audible from Ugoa Street, which runs to the northern side of the showground and carries traffic to the western part of Narrabri and to Wee Waa and to Yarrie Lake. 

Barraba Track.  There is an additional four wheel drive track to the town of Barraba on the eastern side of the range. This required a permit, and obtaining a key to the locked gate.  There is a $10 permit fee and $40 refundable deposit for the key, available from the Barraba Cafe and Queen Street Cafe, Barraba.   This is a dry weather only track.  This eight kilometre track includes 4.5 kilometres of climb or descent through the ranges and is the part with locked gates. 

Mount Kaputar is also famous for its giant bright pink slugs, which have been found in the vicinity of the Coryah Gap Fire trail. 

There are two unpowered camping areas within Mount Kaputar National Park; at Bark Hut and Dawsons Spring, plus three self-contained open plan cabins at Dawsons Spring.  

While campsites cannot be booked so are on a first in first served basis, cabins at Dawsons Spring must be booked either online or by calling the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757.

Other walks which we did not take in our single day trip are as follows.  See Brochure for more details. 

The Yulludunida walk is a difficult four kilometre return climb to the base of the Yulludunida volcanic core, which reaches to 1,225 metres above sea level.  Rock scrambling required.  There is no trail to the tip of the peak, but experienced climbers can reach the summit. 

Mount Coryah walk is also four kilometres up the stepped lava terraces of Coryah Mountain which is 1,409 metres above sea level.  This medium grade walk gives spectacular views. 

The Governor (Corrunbral Borawah) walk trail is a medium grade two kilometre walk to the peak of The Governor. 

The Kaputar Plateau walk is a six kilometre loop trail that follow part of the original ‘pioneer track’ from Coryah Gap to Dawsons Spring, passing a number of lookouts.

Scutts Hut and Kurrawonga Falls Walk is a hard 19 kilometres walk trail, and the longest in the Mount Kaputar National Park and require camping overnight.  This track should only be attempted by experienced, well prepared bushwalkers.  Please complete a National Parks walking intention form.  Scutts Hut, built by grazier Archie Scutt in 1938, took two years to complete.  Most of the materials, including a rainwater tank, were brought up the mountainside by packhorse.  This hut has been restored.  Camping is not allowed inside or within twenty metres of the hut. 

Dawsons Spring Nature Trail is and easy 1.4 kilometre loop walk from Dawsons Spring picnic area, this walk takes you through the sub-alpine woodlands. 

Summit Walking Track of two kilometres return leads off the Dawsons Spring Nature Trail and connects Dawsons Spring with the Mount Kaputar summit car park.  An easy walk for those camping at Dawsons Spring. 

Eckford Lookout walk is a medium grade 1.8 kilometre return trail from Eckford Carpark and takes you through forest to Eckfords Lookout.  This trail links to the Bundabulla Circuit walk. 

Bundabulla Circuit is a medium grade three kilometre loop walk which loops around the Kaputar Plateau.  Commencing at the start of the Lindsay Rock Tops walk, the trail traverses a variety of alpine environments, such as snow gum, woodland and tea-tree scrub.  Several lookouts are along the loop. 

Resources

Signage at sites

National Parks NSW – Mount Kaputar

National Parks NSW – Mount Kaputar short walk trails

National Parks NSW – Mount Kaputar campgrounds

From Narrabri we headed back along the Newell Highway to Gilgrandra, and on to Eumungerie, a tiny town one kilometre east of the Newell Highway, 40 kilometres north of Dubbo.   

Here we stayed at the Recreation Reserve (showground) camping area, which has a huge flat area.  Powered sites close to amenities block.  We were greeted and given a very friendly welcome by the on site caretaker.  Powered sites for two were only $10 per night, and $5 for unpowered out in the open area.   

This pleasant camping ground was closed to campers in November 2023.

If you are there at the right time, a large sheep dog trials event is held on the showground in early August each year (seasonal cancellations may occur).  Entry is free.