Explore the Dark Sky
Warrumbungle National Park
Overview
Experience the wonders of the night sky at Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran. It's Australia’s first officially accredited Dark Sky Park.
- When
April, May and August tours run 6.30pm to 8pm. Meet at 6.15pm.
June and July tours run 6pm to 7.30pm. Meet at 5.45pm.
2025 tour dates:
- 7, 10, 15, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25 April
- 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May
- 6, 13, 20, 27, 30 June
- 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 20, 27 July
- 4 , 11 August
Group tours available on request.
- Accessibility
- Easy
- Grade
- Easy. Suitable for adults and children 5 years and over.
- Price
-
Adult $27 per person. Concession and child (5 to 16 years) $21 per person. Family $85 (2 adults and 2 children). Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- Meeting point
- Warrumbungle Visitor Centre front door.
- What to
bring - Torch, suitable clothing
- Bookings
- Bookings required. Phone 1300 072 757 for more information or book online.
Warrumbungle National Park is renowned for its glittering, clear night skies, far from the light pollution of urban areas. You’ll see them through the lenses of two 8” dobsonian telescopes and binoculars.
Guided by a National Parks ranger, we’ll observe distant stars, planets, and galaxies in incredible detail and gain fascinating insights about the constellations and sky mapping.
From the iconic Southern Cross to the lesser known but equally captivating stars and nebulae, the southern skies offer endless wonders for stargazers of all levels.
Even if the weather is bad, there’ll still be a lot to find out about the night sky. In the case of cloudy skies, the tour will continue with engaging educational activities, including night sky mapping and a discussion on the basics of constellation identification.
Bring a torch and remember to wear warm clothing as the nights can get very cold in Warrumbungle National Park.
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/guided-tours/explore-the-dark-sky/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
Park info
- in Warrumbungle National Park in the Country NSW region
Warrumbungle National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Explore the Dark Sky.
Getting there and parking
Warrumbungle Visitor Centre is just off John Renshaw Parkway in Warrumbungle National Park.
From Coonabarabran:
- Head west on Timor Road for 35km, which becomes John Renshaw Parkway at the Warrumbungle National Park boundary
- Turn north at the visitor centre signage and travel for 300m
- The visitor centre is on the right.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Parking
Parking is available at Warrumbungle Visitor Centre.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - easy
- Some assistance may be required to access this area.
- Paths are sealed but there are some gradual slopes.
- Accessible toilets are available.
Visitor centre
-
Warrumbungle Visitor Centre
4261 John Renshaw Parkway, Warrumbungle NSW 2828 - 9am to 4pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 6825 4364
Learn more
Explore the Dark Sky is in Warrumbungle National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal dreamtime
Warrumbungle is a Gamilaraay word meaning crooked mountain, and for many thousands of years it has been a spiritual place for the custodians of this land, the Gamilaraay, the Wiradjuri and the Weilwan. The landscape, plants and animals of the park are a constant reminder of its sacred significance to Aboriginal people today. Take an Aboriginal Discovery guided tour to find out more about the Aboriginal cultural heritage.
- Tara Cave cultural tour Join this guided tour led by a local Aboriginal Discovery ranger. Discover the cultural heritage in the land of the Gamilaraay, Wiradjuri and Wailwan people in Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran.
- Tara Cave walking track Tara Cave walking track is a gentle 3.4km return bushwalk through Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran. Learn about local Aboriginal culture and experience remarkable views.
Diversity of wildlife
Warrumbungle National Park has a rich diversity of landforms and microclimates, and provides a habitat for hundreds of plant and animal species. Flourishing with wildflowers and unique plants, such as Warrumbungle Range wattle, Warrumbungle star flower, golden cassinia and grey ray flower, the area also has an abundance of rich birdlife, including emus, wedge-tailed eagles and turquoise parrots - just a few of over 190 bird species recorded in the park. If you're lucky, you may also spot wildlife such as the koala, squirrel glider and brush-tailed rock wallaby. Be sure to also keep an eye out for Warrumbungle black rock skink high on the mountains, and lace monitors rustling through the bush.
- Boots and brushes - guided walk and art tour Tap into your creativity on a 6km guided walk with a Discovery ranger in Warrumbungle National Park. Create your own personal artwork inspired by the iconic mountain landscape at Spirey View lookout.
- Burbie Canyon walking track Burbie Canyon walking track in Warrumbungle National Park offers a gentle 2km stroll through a sandstone gorge, and is particularly popular for birdwatching.
- Tara Cave cultural tour Join this guided tour led by a local Aboriginal Discovery ranger. Discover the cultural heritage in the land of the Gamilaraay, Wiradjuri and Wailwan people in Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran.
- Walk on the wild side at the Warrumbungles Join an experienced Discovery Ranger and explore the beauty of Warrumbungle National Park. This tour is designed to bring your senses alive as you explore the sights, sounds and smells of this beautiful area.
- Whitegum lookout walking track Whitegum lookout walking track is a short, wheelchair-accessible walk in Warrumbungle National Park. Suitable for all ages, it offers remarkable views.
Landscape and geology
The landscape of Warrumbungle National Park has been shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion; spend some time looking at Crater Bluff and Belougery Spire and imagine the vents of magma that once erupted to create these formations. Layers of lava and volcanic rock created Mount Exmouth and Mount Woorut just outside the boundary of the park, and Belougery Split Rock and Bluff Mountain are great examples of igneous lava domes. One of the most iconic features in the park, The Breadknife, is a volcanic dyke which stands a massive 90m tall. You can learn more about the park's fascinating geological history, or take a self-guided geology tour, through the NSW GeoTours app.
- Bluff Mountain walking track Bluff Mountain walking track rewards experienced, fit bushwalkers with Warrumbungle National Park’s best views. This very long and challenging steep hike climbs past spectacular rock spires and domes—up to the summit of Bluff Mountain.
- Boots and brushes - guided walk and art tour Tap into your creativity on a 6km guided walk with a Discovery ranger in Warrumbungle National Park. Create your own personal artwork inspired by the iconic mountain landscape at Spirey View lookout.
- Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk in Warrumbungle National Park, regarded as one of the best walks in NSW, offers close up views of the park’s iconic rock formations.
- Burbie Canyon walking track Burbie Canyon walking track in Warrumbungle National Park offers a gentle 2km stroll through a sandstone gorge, and is particularly popular for birdwatching.
- Coonabarabran - Baradine - Warrumbungle drive Explore the spectacular landscapes, historic towns, picnic spots and walks of the Warrumbungles and Pilliga, near Coonabarabran and Baradine, in NSW.
Wish upon a star
Warrumbungle National Park is Australia’s first Dark Sky Park. Nearby Coonabarabran is known as the 'Astronomy Capital of Australia'. Stargaze from your campsite, or if you want to see right up to the heavens, visit a local observatory. The dramatic mix of volcanic spires and domes, plateaus, forested ridges and tall volcanic dykes are bound to make even the youngest of photographers look good, so whatever you do ‐ don't forget your camera.
- Canyon picnic area Canyon picnic area is a fully accessible, family friendly picnic area in Warrumbungle National Park. Not far from the visitor centre, it features barbecues and tables.
- Warrumbungle Visitor Centre Visitor information is available at the Warrumbungle Visitor Centre, which is now back in its original location. Get great suggestions and tips for walking and camping in Warrumbungle National Park.
- Whitegum lookout Whitegum lookout in Warrumbungle National Park features spectacular views of the landscape and picnic tables. It is wheelchair accessible and an easy walk for children.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)
With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.
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Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)
The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.
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Southern boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae)
The southern boobook, also known as the mopoke, is the smallest and most common native owl in Australia. With a musical 'boo-book' call that echoes through forests and woodlands, the southern boobook is a great one to look out for while bird watching.
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Tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
Found throughout Australia, the tawny frogmouth is often mistaken for an owl due to its wide, powerful beak, large head and nocturnal hunting habits. The ‘oom oom oom’ call of this native bird can be heard echoing throughout a range of habitats including heath, woodlands and urban areas.
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Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.