Tara Cave cultural tour
Warrumbungle National Park
Overview
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.
- When
9, 15 and 21 April, 13 May and 10 June 2025, 10am to 12pm
2, 8 and 15 July and 5 August 2025, 2pm to 4pm
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Grade
- Medium. Suitable for adults and children (5 years and over). You’ll walk 3.5km. There is a slight incline at the start of walk, some steps and a boardwalk at the end of the walk.
- Price
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Adult $20 per person. Concession and child (5 to 16 years) $15 per person. Family $60 (2 adults and 2 children).
- Meeting point
- Old Woolshed picnic area
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, lunch, sturdy shoes, drinking water
- Bookings
- Bookings required. Phone 1300 072 757 for more information or book online.
- Availability
- Group tours available on request. To book, email or call Warrumbungle Visitor Centre on 02 6825 4364.
As an expert in local history and Indigenous customs, your guide will lead you on a family-friendly captivating journey through Warrumbungle National Park. They’ll take you to significant cultural sites, rich in Aboriginal history.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the significance of plants, animals and the land itself, as seen through Aboriginal eyes. Your guide will explain the traditional uses of local plants for medicine, food and tools, demonstrating the deep connection that Indigenous people have had with nature for millennia. You’ll hear fascinating tales from the Dreaming, when ancestral spirits shaped the land and its creatures. You’ll gain insight into sacred sites and the spiritual relationship that Aboriginal people share with Country.
More than just a walk, this experience offers a respectful and immersive way to engage with Aboriginal culture. Your guide will share traditional knowledge in an accessible, engaging way, ensuring that each participant gains a deeper understanding and appreciation of both past and present-day Aboriginal culture. Whether you’re visiting the region or you’re a long-time local, this tour offers a meaningful opportunity to connect with the land, to learn from its custodians and to foster a deeper respect for its enduring traditions.
It's a good idea to bring a hat, sunscreen, water and lunch. Remember to wear sturdy shoes.
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/tara-cave-cultural-tour/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.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Tara Cave cultural tour.
Getting there and parking
Tara Cave walking track starts at Old Woolshed picnic area in Warrumbungle National Park. To get there:
From Coonabarabran:
- From Newell Highway, head west on Dalgarno Street for 450m.
- Turn right onto Namoi Street, then after 400m turn left onto Eden Street and continue onto Timor Road.
- Travel on Timor Road for 23km, following signs for Warrumbungle National Park.
- Continue straight and enter the park onto John Renshaw Parkway
- Follow John Renshaw Parkway for 14km, Old Woolshed picnic area is on your right.
From Gilgandra:
- Take Newell Highway north towards Coonabarabran
- After 40km, at the brown Tourist Drive 1 sign, turn left off the highway into the village of Tooraweenah.
- Pass through Tooraweenah, following Tourist Drive 1 north for 28km to the old Gummin Gummin homestead.
- Turn right and follow John Renshaw Parkway for 10km until you reach Old Woolshed picnic area
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking available at Old Woolshed carpark and picnic area.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Visitor centre
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Warrumbungle Visitor Centre
4261 John Renshaw Parkway, Warrumbungle NSW 2828 - 9am to 4pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 6825 4364
Learn more
Tara Cave cultural tour 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Coonabarabran - Warrumbungle - Tooraweenah drive Coonabarabran – Warrumbungle – Tooraweenah drive offers car touring through scenic mountain views with picnicking, walking, and wheelchair accessible facilities in Warrumbungle National Park.
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.