Rising dramatically from the surrounding plains, Mount Kaputar National Park (pronounced Cap-you-tar) is one of the Narrabri region’s most spectacular natural landmarks. Formed by erupting volcanoes between 17 and 21 million years ago, the Nandewar Ranges tell an ancient story written in lava flows, volcanic plugs and sweeping escarpments.
Just east of Narrabri, this rugged high-country escape offers cooler temperatures, fresh mountain air and a sense of scale that surprises many first-time visitors. From the 1,512-metre summit of Mount Kaputar to the spectacular organ pipes of Sawn Rocks and the adventure of traversing Waa Gorge – all three areas of the Nandewar Ranges are a must on any visit through the Narrabri Region.
Mount Kaputar National Park protects a remarkable diversity of landscapes and ecosystems. As you climb from the plains to the plateau, semi-arid woodlands give way to tall wet eucalypt forests and subalpine health – a rare environment in inland NSW.
The park is a haven for wildlife, including wallabies, quolls, bats and a wide variety of birdlife.
One of Mount Kaputar’s most unusual and iconic residents is the Giant Pink Slug. Often spotted after rain, this striking bright-pink creature can grow up to 20cm long and is found nowhere else on Earth. Its vivid colour and rarity have made it something of a local legend, and spotting one in the wild is a memorable highlight for many visitors. While it may look surprising, the Pink Slug is a reminder of just how unique and special ecosystems of Mount Kaputar truly are.
Whether you’re drawn by photography, birdwatching or bushwalking – Mount Kaputar offers space, solitude and striking scenery in every season. Giving visitors the chance to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Bushwalking & Trails
Mount Kaputar National Park features a range of walking tracks to suit all abilities, from gentle strolls to more challenging climbs. Trails wind thorugh forests, across lava terraces and up to lookout points with breathtaking 360 views.
Our recommendations:
Easy Walks
Euglah Rock Walking Track – A gentle stroll (around 15-30min) from Bark Hut campground leading to a beautiful lookout over Euglah Rock and surrounding countryside.
Dawsons Springs Nature Trail – An easy, family-friendly loop through tall forest near the main picnic and camping area. And if its recently rained, you will hear the water trickling down the mountain.
Moderate Walks
Bundabulla Circuit – a 3.5km circuit that connects several walking tracks together. It offers a terrific bushwalking experience with places to picnic along the way and views of Mount Kaputar and surrounds.
Kaputar Plateau Walk – A longer loop (around 8 km) through diverse landscapes and past dramatic lookouts such as Rangers Lookout, showcasing the breadth of the park’s volcanic scenery.
Challenging Walks
Yulludunida Walking Track – This is an exhilarating 3km, 2-hour return hike. This hard walk from Green Camp carpark takes you up through steep woodland until you come out to the base of what locals call the Dragons Spine. From there the track becomes unmarked but you get rewarded with 360 views of the region.
Scutts Hut & Kurrawonga Falls Walk – A full-day adventure (roughly 19 km return) that takes you past historic pioneer hut remains and down to the stunning Kurrawonga Falls. Best suited for experienced walkers prepared for a long day on rugged terrain
View more trails in the park here.
Stay
Extend your visit and experience Mount Kaputar after dark, when the skies come alive with stars and the mountain air cools.
Cabins
Three self-contained cabins are available within the park, each sleeping up to six people and requiring a minimum two-night stay. Cabins are fully equipped for a comfortable mountain escape, with:
- Slow combustion heaters for winter (wood provided)
- Cool interiors during summer
- Limited cooking facilities including microwave, fridge and kitchen essentials
- Hot showers
Cabin bookings are essential and can be made up to six months in advance via the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Website.
Camping
Two campgrounds are located within Mount Kaputar National Parl:
- Dawsons Spring Campground
- Bark Hut Campground
Both campgrounds offer gas barbecues, hot showers and toilets. Caravans are not permitted within the park, however box trailers are allowed.
Need to know before you go:
Pets: Pets are not permitted in Mount Kaputar National Park.
Vehicle access: Caravans and motorhomes are not allowed on the road to the Mount Kaputar summit due to narrow and winding conditions. Visitors towing caravans are encouraged to base themselves in Narrabri and visit the park on a day trip.
Road conditions: Approximately 6km of Kaputar Road is unsealed. The road is generally passable in wet weather, but caution is advised as surfaces may be slippery or rough.
Getting There
Mount Kaputar National Park is located approximately 52km east of Narrabri, with a drive time of around one hour.
From the Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre:
- Drive up Lloyd Street and turn right into Maitland Street (parallel to the Newell Highway)
- Continue through the CBD and out of town, passing the RSL Club on your right
- Approximately 3km past the RSL Club, turn left at the signposted road to the Airport and Mount Kaputar National Park
- Follow this road for approximately 52km — it leads directly to the summit of Mount Kaputar
The journey itself is part of the experience, with changing landscapes and increasing elevation as you ascend into the park.
Keen to experience an almighty wall of organ pipes without stepping foot inside a church?
Then Sawn Rocks is the place to go, with its towering wall of pentagonal basalt pipes. Undoubtedly the most iconic reminder of Kaputar’s volcanic past, this rock formation is located in the northern section of Mount Kaputar National Park on the Killarney Gap Road. This unusual phenomenon is the result of slow and even cooling of molten rock, enabling individual crystals within the rock to align perfectly with each other.
Facilities and Walking Track:
From the carpark, is a 750m walking track which offers easy, wheelchair accessibility as you stroll through tall eucalypts, figs and wattle trees.
The path ends at an observation deck which affords stunning views of the intriguing rock formation jutting starkly from the bed of Bobbiwaa creek.
Stairs to the left side, enable access to the creek bed below where fallen pillars rest. Amongst the clear pools and smooth bed of the creek, one can see that rock is fracture into octagonal shapes identical to the cliff face. It is believed that these plunge a further 60-metres into the earth below. Over thousands of years, enormous slabs of rock have fallen to the bed of the creek, resembling the crumbled pillars of an ancient roman temple.
Shelters, toilets and barbecue areas are available next to the carpark for those wishing to linger and enjoy the tranquility.
The car park has ample room for cars, caravans and touring buses.
Need to know before you go:
Sawn Rocks is located 36km North-east of Narrabri.
Although Sawn Rocks is part of the Mount Kaputar National Park, it is not accessed via Kaputar Road. Instead, head out of town along the Newell Highway towards Moree. Just 3kms out of town, you will turn right after the bridge onto Killarney Gap Road (Bingara Road) and travel a further 33km to the Sawn Rocks turnoff.
Yet another reminder of Mount Kaputar’s volcanic past, Waa Gorge is as spectacular as it is old.
You’ll be entranced by the towering tangerine-streaked walls sweeping up to the ancient volcanic plug, Mt Waa. Millions of years of weathering turned cracks and fault lines into the deeply etched gorge and surrounding gullies you see today. The sheer scale positively dwarfs, while the enormous boulders strewn across the gorge’s floor look like marbles in a giant’s playground.
Walking Track
The walk into Waa Gorge takes a good hour and visitors need to be prepared with water and sturdy shoes. From the carpark, a short walk through the picnic area leads you to the “Mill Bullah” (Two Eyes) waterholes.
From here the walk enters the wilderness area and is not signposted, but an interpretive sign gives detailed directions. Climb the small hill on the left of the waterholes and follow the creek for a few hundred metres until you find your way into the rocky creek bed that leads to Waa Gorge.
Getting here:
Waa Gorge is located in the far north of Mount Kaputar National Park, approximately 56kms (one hour) from Narrabri. To get there head north from Narrabri along the Newell Highway towards Moree.
Just 3kms out of town, turn right onto the picturesque Killarney Gap Road.
Follow Killarney Gap Road and turn off at the sign to Terry Hie Hie (or back track from Sawn Rocks to the Terry Hie Hie turn off—15kms).
Follow this road for 28kms until you come to the Waa Gorge sign. Mt Grattai, Castletop and Mount Waa form a delightful back drop to the fields clothed in green, yellow and brown, depending on the season.
The Waa Gorge turn off is clearly marked from the Narrabri—Terry Hie Hie crossroads.
This road is a DRY WEATHER ROAD ONLY and involves driving through private property. We recommended checking with NPWS or the Visitor Information Centre before heading out to ensure the road is open.