Warrumbungle National Park Best Hikes

Warrumbungle National Park is known for its unique volcanic landscapes with incredible rock formations surrounded by plains and tablelands. Indeed, it is one of the must-visit national parks in NSW. The national park is located in Central NSW on Kamilaroi land, about 500 km north-west of Sydney

Although we visited Warrumbungle National Park several times, we don’t get bored. On one of the visits, we combined 4 hikes into one extended loop of 35 km: which included: Breadknife and Grand High Tops Walk, Goulds Circuit, Bluff Mountain track, Mount Exmouth and Cathedral and Arch track. For more details, read my post about this extended loop.

1. Breadknife and Grand High Tops (Pincham Trail)
2. Bluff Mountain (via Grand High Tops)
3. Mount Exmouth
4. Belougery Split Rock Circuit
5. Goulds Circuit
6. Whitegum Lookout

1. Breadknife and Grand High Tops (Pincham Trail)

Indeed, Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk is one of the best hikes in NSW. If you have limited time when you visit Warrumbungle National Park, and can only do one hike, it should be this one. Undoubtedly, the panoramic 360 degrees view of the Warrumbungle volcanic landscape from Lugh’s Throne is a highlight of the hike.

In the beginning, the trail is flat and follows the shaded valley of Spirey Creek. The pathway is well-maintained. After 1.8 km you have the option to add Goulds Circuit to your hike (extra 2 km). All in all, Febar Tor and Macha Tor lookouts offer impressive views of Warrumbungle iconic rock formations from a different angle.

In case you don’t want to add extra 2 km, you can opt for Spirey View Lookout. The turnoff is a bit further along the main path, and the lookout is only 150 m walk one way.

Finally, from Spirey View Lookout it is another 2.6 km to Lugh’s Throne, the incline gets steeper, and you’ll need to climb a steep set of stairs with an elevation gain of about 300 m.

Lugh’s Throne

Lugh’s Throne offers 360 degrees view of the dramatic volcanic scenery of Warrumbungle National Park, you are surrounded by dramatic spires and domes. The view is absolutely breathtaking, it is one of the best views in NSW and is definitely worth climbing all those stairs. In case you are interested, the striking rock formations seen from Lugh’s Throne are the Breadknife, Belougery Spire, Crater Bluff, Tonduron Spire, and others.

Instead of returning the same way, you can make it a circuit and return via Ogma Gap and West Spirey Creek. But keep in mind that it adds another 4.4 km to the trail making it 16.9 km in total.

2. Bluff Mountain Track (via Grand High Tops)

Bluff Mountain is the second highest peak in Warrumbungle National Park and gives you 360 degrees view from a higher point and different angle.

From Pincham car park follow the Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk. Once you reach Grand High Tops continue walking to Dows Camp.

The ascent to the mountain starts from there. It is about 1.3 km long with 230 m elevation gain. In the beginning, the trail climbs steadily, but soon it becomes steeper.

Finally, you reach an open rocky summit, but this is not the very top yet. Continue walking in a northerly direction until you reach the highest point. Needless to say, the views from the top are incredible. When on the top look out for wedge-tailed eagles circling above the mountain.

After descending from the mountain walk to Ogma Gap and from there turn right and follow West Spirey Creek back to the car park.

3. Mount Exmouth

Being the highest peak in Warrumbungle National Park, Mount Exmouth (1206 m ) offers incredible 360-degree views over the Warrumbungles.

Two route options

In fact, you can get to Mount Exmouth via West Spirey Creek or via Burbie Fire Trail.

Option 1. Mount Exmouth via West Spirey Creek

From Pincham car park follow the trail for about 1.1 km until you reach the junction where you need to turn right to West Spirey Creek trail. It is quite a steep trail going up the West Spirey Creek valley for about 4 km and leading to Ogma Gap camp. Further, turn right at Ogma Gap camp in the direction of Danu Gap. From Danu gap both trail options follow the same route.

Option 2. Mount Exmouth via Burbie Fire Trail

From Split Rock car park follow Burbie fire trail for 6 km until you reach Danu Gap camp. Further, both trail options follow the same route.

At Danu Gap, there is a sign directing you to the top of Mount Exmouth. According to the sign it is 2.6 km to the top of the mountain, and the elevation gain from here was more than 350 m. During the ascent we saw a few wallabies and turquoise parrots and lots and lots of grass trees.

In addition, it’s a good idea to take a short side trip to the Cathedral and Arch which will add about 2 extra km. From Danu Gap follow the trail in the direction of Ogma Gap, you will soon see a sign, so you won’t miss the turnoff to the side track which is about 0.5km one way. Don’t skip it, as the views are really worth the hike.

The Cathedral is a group of rock formations looking like a cathedral. Similarly, the Arch is an interesting natural rock bridge connecting two outcrops with a lonely gumtree growing on it.

Once you return to the main track, you need to walk to the turnoff to Mount Exmouth. According to the sign, from the turnoff it is 2.6 km to the top of Mount Exmouth, the elevation gain was more than 350 m.

4. Belougery Split Rock Circuit

The loop climbs up and around Belougery Split Rock which is an ancient lava dome near camp Wambelong. It is recommended to do it in anti-clockwise direction for a less steep ascend. If you want to do it in anti-clockwise direction follow Burbie fire trail for about 600 m until you see the sign.

The last 400 m of the trail is rock scrambling to the top. The path is marked with reflective markers, but looks like some of them are missing. Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with amazing 360 degrees views over the Warrumbungle National Park including all the amazing rocks: the Breadknife, Crater Bluff, Belougery Spire, Bluff Mountain, and Mount Exmouth.

Keep in mind that it gets very slippery when wet. It started raining when we were on the top, so the rocks became very slippery, and it was scary on the way down.

5. Goulds Circuit

From Pincham car park follow Grand High Tops walk, this stretch of the trail is flat. After 1.8 km take a turnoff to Goulds Circuit. After the turnoff, the trail becomes steeper and you will be going up, the elevation gain to Febar Tor (714 m) is about 180m, and another 70-80m to Macha Tor. Macha Tor requires a bit of rock scrambling.

It seems that Goulds Circuit trail is not very popular, as the path is quite narrow. But Febar Tor and Macha Tor lookouts are absolutely worth all the effort. They definitely offer great views of iconic rock formations: Belougery Spire, Crater Bluff, the Breadknife, Bluff Mountain from a different lesser known angle.

Once you return to Pincham trail, it’s 2.8km back to Pincham car park. You can also take Goulds Circuit as a detour on Grand High Tops walk, but it adds extra kms.

6. Whitegum Lookout

When you visit Warrumbungle National Park, don’t miss Whitegum lookout, as the views from the lookout are incredible, and it’s only a short walk from the car park.