Ben Hall's Cave walking track
Weddin Mountains National Park
Overview
Near Grenfell, this short walk takes you through pretty scenery and hiking up to the historic bushrangers’ cave lookout, where the history of the area comes alive.
- Distance
- 1.5km loop
- Time suggested
- 15 - 45min
- Grade
- Grade 4
- Please note
- The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
- It’s a good idea to bring a topographic map and compass, or a GPS.
Ben Hall's Cave walking track takes you through low open forest dominated by black cypress pine and mugga ironbark trees. Heading up the hill behind Ben Hall's campground, you’ll come to a large rock overhang with views, and once there, the real journey begins.
Imagine bushrangers heading their horses up into the hidden byways of the mountain range on this walk. Can you picture them scrambling up the cliff areas to keep a watch out for parties of troopers approaching across the plains?
This pleasant walk leads you up rugged hillside to a small cave believed to have been used as shelter for the infamous bushranger, Ben Hall. Wonga wonga and happy wanderer vines are often noted along this track and around the cave entrance, where you get a perfect view just as he would have, over surrounding farm country to the west.
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/walking-tracks/ben-halls-cave-walking-track/local-alerts
General enquiries
- 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
Park info
- in Weddin Mountains National Park in the Country NSW region
Weddin Mountains 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 Hall's Cave walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
1.5km loop
Time
15 - 45min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Very steep
Steps
Many steps
Quality of path
Formed track
Getting there and parking
Ben Hall’s Cave walking track is on the western side of Weddin Mountains National Park. To get there:
- From Grenfell: travel 5.5km west along the Mid-Western Highway towards West Wyalong, then turn left onto Back Piney Range Road, following the signs to Weddin Mountains National Park.
- Follow the road around for 23km and then turn left onto the park entrance road over the grid
- Go through the State Forest and then turn left and then right into Ben Hall’s campground. The trail head is opposite the barbecue area.
Parking
Parking is available at Ben Hall's campground.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Weddin Mountains National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Cooler days make it an ideal time to undertake some of the longer walks. It's also a good time to wander around Seaton's Farm to investigate and compare machinery used back then to what we have today.
Spring
A great time to see the wildflowers that blanket much of the ground. Venture up to the lookouts to see the sprawling surrounding farming country.
Summer
Enjoy a free barbecue at Ben Hall's campground.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
30°C and 33°C
Highest recorded
43.9°C
Winter temperature
Average
12°C and 15°C
Lowest recorded
-5°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
June
Driest month
February
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
110.7mm
Facilities
Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Maps and downloads
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.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Ben Hall's Cave walking track is in Weddin Mountains National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Any way you like it
The park offers both relaxing and adventurous recreational opportunities. Picnickers can enjoy a campfire and barbecue at Ben Hall's campground, while more adventurous visitors can walk the mountain range on a variety of walking tracks.
Protected population
The Weddin Mountains harbour 12 threatened plant species and 39 threatened bird species. In spring, many lilies and orchids come into bloom, as do winged peppercress and slender darling pea. The diversity in vegetation from the base of the mountain to the top also accommodates a variety of bird species, from larger emus to smaller robins and thornbills. Raptors such as wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons are often seen swooping and diving from the lookouts.
- Bertha's Gully walking track This medium difficulty walk near Grenfell passes small waterfalls and rock overhangs along Bertha’s Gully. Stop by at the campground for a rest after your 6km walk.
- Eualdrie walking track Eualdrie walking track is a short hiking route that offers scenic views, birdwatching and spring wildflowers.
- Lynchs loop trail Lynchs loop trail is a short hike within Weddin Mountains National Park. The route is scenic and there are birdwatching opportunities.
Rock stars
The Weddin Mountains are a large, crescent-shaped range that rises sharply from the surrounding plains. This prominent feature can be seen from up to 50km away. There are a number of interesting rock formations, cliff lines and small caves, particularly on the northern and eastern side of the mountain. Deep gullies between gentler slopes produce some lovely small waterfalls after a good rain.
- Basin Gully to Eualdrie lookout track Enjoy a challenging walk? Highlights on this fantastic hiking track include ridges, gullies and scenic views that stretch toward Grenfell, as well as great birdwatching.
Where there's a will
In 1936, the Seaton family began developing property on the western side of the Weddin Mountains as a pastoral enterprise. Money and resources were scarce during the Great Depression, so the farm was built using second-hand materials fashioned into solid structures. Seaton's Farm is a testimony to the ingenuity used by the Seatons when times were tough. It provides brilliant insight into how this farming family lived during the mid-1900s. The Weddin Mountains are also well-known as the hideout of bushrangers Ben Hall and John Bow, infamously involved in the Escort Robbery at Eugowra.
- Seaton's Farm historic site An easy scenic walk to a perfect picnic spot against a backdrop of historic agricultural relics. Binoculars are also a must for the enthusiastic birdwatcher.