Ben Bullen trail
Sydney and surrounds
Overview
If you love 4WDing, mountain biking and horse riding, Ben Bullen trail in Gardens of Stone National Park is for you. There are also great places along the trail to pull over and enjoy a picnic and spectacular views.
- Where
- Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area, Gardens of Stone National Park in Sydney and surrounds
- Time suggested
- 3hrs
- What to
bring - Drinking water
- Please note
There is limited mobile reception in this park.
Part of National trail, Ben Bullen trail turns Gardens of Stone National Park into a spectacular adventure for driving enthusiasts. Suitable for high clearance and well-equipped 4WDing, the trail snakes along the Great Dividing Range, through Ben Bullen State Forest, and into the park. The 4WD trail passes steep sandstone cliffs along the way, with scenic views over the Wolgan and Capertee valleys.
If driving leaves you itching to stretch your legs, consider tackling parts of the trail via mountain biking. For something a little different, the trail is also terrific for horse riding. Any way you choose to do it, be sure to pack a hamper to break up the journey. With loads of places to pull up and rest along Ben Bullen trail, there are more than enough opportunities for a long picnic lunch and a stroll through the bush. Be sure to admire the wildflowers and stunning rock formations that give the park its evocative name.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/4wd-touring-routes/ben-bullen-trail/local-alerts
Park info
- in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area in the Sydney and surrounds region
Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- in Gardens of Stone National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Gardens of Stone National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Ben Bullen trail.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Ben Bullen trail is in Gardens of Stone National Park. To get there from Lithgow:
- Follow Great Western Highway for 7km, then turn off onto Castlereagh Highway.
- After 4km, turn right onto Wolgan Road and follow it for 9km.
- Turn left onto Ben Bullen trail
Road quality
Ben Bullen trail is only suitable for high clearance 4WD vehicles. There are large ruts and washed out sections in Ben Bullen State Forest that are not suitable for low clearance vehicles.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- All roads require 4WD vehicle
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available along Ben Bullen trail.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Gardens of Stone National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
Experience the wonder of the spring bird migrations and enjoy the flowering season for many of the plant species of the park.
Summer
Though you need to be prepared for hot weather, this can be a great time to explore the pagodas as deep shade falls between them and in the canyons, making for dramatic photographs.
Winter
The light in the mountains is beautiful in winter. Take crystal clear scenic photos from your vantage point on the cliff tops or just marvel at how far you can see from up here.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
8°C and 25°C
Winter temperature
Average
0°C and 9°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
April
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
135mm
Facilities
You're encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
Maps and downloads
Permitted
Rock climbing is permitted in this park.
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
If you're travelling through a national park or reserve on a public road you can have pets inside your vehicle. However, you must keep them inside your vehicle while driving through national parks or reserves. You must also comply with any conditions in the park’s plan of management, and you cannot stop to visit the park or use park facilities (unless for safety reasons, or to use publicly accessible toilets).
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Ben Bullen trail is in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal culture
Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area is on Wiradjuri Country. This cultural landscape has many sites and artefacts like rock art, grinding grooves, wells, rock shelters and artefact scatters. The park adjoins Maiyingu Marragu Aboriginal Place – a well known rock art site and cultural education area. This location has great value to Wiradjuri People, who hold a deep connection with the land and a strong sense of custodianship to protect and preserve sites, plants and animals who call it home.
Unique environments
Perched swamps are important to the Newnes Plateau and are significant ecosystems as they feed into deep gullies, creeks and the headwaters the Wolgan, Coxs and Wollangambe rivers. The area also protects the Endangered Ecological Communities of Newnes Plateau and Shrub Swamps, Montane Peatlands and Swamps.
- Lost City walking track Lost City walking track is a family-friendly 6km return walk in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Just 5km from Lithgow, you'll see unique rock formations named pagodas, panoramic views, tranquil creeks and historic mining relics.
Cultural heritage
Newnes and its surrounds was home to a thriving shale oil mining industry in the early 1900s. There are remarkably well-preserved remnants of the area’s mining history like dams, mine shafts and hand-carved stone steps.
- Lost City walking track Lost City walking track is a family-friendly 6km return walk in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Just 5km from Lithgow, you'll see unique rock formations named pagodas, panoramic views, tranquil creeks and historic mining relics.
Striking geology
Geological activity has created a landscape of Triassic Narrabeen sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, gorges, caves, grand mesas, sandstone pinnacles and pagodas. These ‘platy’ pagodas have distinctive ironstone banding and are nationally significant because of their rarity. They can be as tall as 60m and are one of the many striking rock features to see in this geologically diverse park.
- Lost City walking track Lost City walking track is a family-friendly 6km return walk in Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. Just 5km from Lithgow, you'll see unique rock formations named pagodas, panoramic views, tranquil creeks and historic mining relics.
Outdoor escapes
Enjoy a peaceful picnic, family-friendly walk or thrilling ride in spectacular natural surrounds. Existing adventure tracks are a drawcard for cyclists and 4WD enthusiasts while new visitor facilities provide improved access and a broader range of outdoor activities.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)
A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.
-
Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)
The yellow-tailed black cockatoo is one of the largest species of parrot. With dusty-black plumage, they have a yellow tail and cheek patch. They’re easily spotted while bird watching, as they feed on seeds in native forests and pine plantations.
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Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.
Plants
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Flannel flower (Actinotus helianthi)
The delicate flannel flower is so named because of the soft woolly feel of the plant. Growing in the NSW south coast region, extending to Narrabri in the Central West and up to south-east Queensland, its white or pink flowers bloom all year long, with an extra burst of colour in the spring.
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Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)
An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.
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Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)
Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.
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Scribbly gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma)
Easily identifiable Australian native plants, scribbly gum trees are found throughout NSW coastal plains and hills in the Sydney region. The most distinctive features of this eucalypt are the ‘scribbles’ made by moth larva as it tunnels between the layers of bark.
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Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)
The beautiful waratah is not only the NSW floral emblem, it's also one of the best-known Australian native plants. This iconic Australian bush flower can be found on sandstone ridges around Sydney, in nearby mountain ranges and on the NSW South Coast. The waratah has a vibrant crimson flowerhead, measuring up to 15cm across, and blossoms in spring.