Warrumbungle National Park is a diverse and spectacular national park of volcanic plugs and dykes

Warrumbungle National Park is the most popular national parks of Central New South Wales. In fact the combination of forested ridges, rocky spires and domes, deep gorges and plenty of camping and visitor facilities make the Warrumbungles one of NSW most popular national parks.

In 1953 the Warrumbungle National Park was formally gazetted, and an article announcing the event in the National Parks Journal of the day attracted 4000 visitors the following Easter weekend. Today, the Warrumbungle NP attracts over 40,000 visitors each year.

It is a diverse and spectacular national park of volcanic plugs and dykes exposed after the volcanic cones have eroded. Fantastic views of the entire park and mountains are seen from the numerous bushwalks available. You have a choice of walks to go on depending on your desire and fitness level.

Probably the most popular view is The Breadknife, a volcanic dyke of trachyte (acid, weather resistant rock) that has resisted eons of weathering to stand proud on the landscape. It is a narrow rock sliver, formed when magma forced its way through a long crack in the bedrock beneath the ancient Warrumbungle volcano. The surrounding stone has been eroded over millions of years leaving a narrow spur about 600 metres long and 100 metres high.

The Breadknife

The Warrumbungles are sometimes referred to as the place where East meets West. The National Park supports plants and animals from the moist East coast and dry Western plains. It also has a great variety of wildlife including Eastern Grey Kangaroos, wallaroos, wallabies and emus. The park is also home to a breeding population of koalas. The birdlife is also abundant and varied with around 150 species of birds. Almost a third of Australia’s various species of Cockatoos and Parrots can be found here. The walk most of us will go on is Fans Horizon an easy 3.5 km walk that will take about 2 hours.

This is an excellent walk beginning from Pincham car park. The track is a steady climb including over 1000 steps, from Spirey Creek to Balgatan. The views at the lookout cover most of the Grand High Tops including the Breadknife, Belougery Spire and Crater Bluff.

"View from the top" at Warrumbungle National Park

If you think this walk is too easy and want something more challenging then try the Breadknife & Grand High Tops walk. This is a medium to difficult walk of 12.5 km that will take you about 5 hours.

It is the most popular walk in the park and the rewards of the strenuous climb are easily worth the effort. The track also begins from Pincham car park, following the shaded valley of Spirey Creek. It's a steep climb up to the base of the Breadknife, which is arguably the most famous landscape feature in the park. A further short but steep distance beyond the Breadknife is the Grand High Tops. Surrounding this ridge is a panoramic view of the Warrumbungles and beyond. The route back down to Spirey Creek follows the other side of the Breadknife with close-up views of its western face.

If you don’t think you can do either of these then there is the Wambelong Nature Track. This is an easy 1km walk.

This short loop walk begins from the eastern side of Canyon Picnic Area and follows Wambelong Creek through a small, sheltered gorge. This area is a haven for birds, particularly in drier times. As you walk along the track you will see interesting rock formations shaped by volcanic activity millions of years ago.

The track rises to a rocky outcrop with views down the central valley of the park and nearby Split Rock. Keep your eyes on the treetops as koalas are often seen in the gums near the creek.

See where the Warrumbungle National Park forms part of your Tamworth Tour