Euglah Rock walking track
Mount Kaputar National Park
Overview
Ideal for walking with kids, Euglah Rock walking track in Mount Kaputar National Park leads to a lookout offering stunning scenic views of Euglah Rock and beyond.
- Where
- Mount Kaputar National Park in Country NSW
- Accessibility
- Hard
- Distance
- 0.65km return
- Time suggested
- 15 - 30min
- Grade
- Grade 2
- Opening times
Euglah Rock walking track is always open, but may need to close at times during snow/ice events.
- What to
bring - Drinking water, hat, sunscreen
- Please note
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching
- The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well prepared for your visit.
- There is limited mobile reception in this park
Euglah Rock walking track is an easy walk located in a dry, eucalypt forest setting and departs from the bottom of Bark Hut campground. It leads you to a lookout with scenic views of Euglah Rock, a spectacular volcanic remnant.
Euglah Rock walking track is very popular with those camping in Mount Kaputar National Park, but it’s suitable for all ages and walks of life. The path is dotted with educational signs explaining animal tracks and traces. If you’re visiting after rain, you will be accompanied by a soothing soundtrack of waterfalls crashing nearby.
Take this walk in mid-to-late spring to experience a vibrant display of colourful wildflowers. At this time of year, the area blooms in technicolour with purple hyacinth orchards, pink trigger plants and paper daisies.
Also see
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Euglah Rock lookout
Euglah Rock lookout is in Mount Kaputar National Park along Euglah Rock walking track. It's a great place to view the distinctive volcanic formation of Euglah Rock.
Map
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/euglah-rock-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 Mount Kaputar National Park in the Country NSW region
Mount Kaputar 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 Euglah Rock walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
0.65km return
Time
15 - 30min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Steps
No steps
Gradient
Gentle hills: This walk is a short, stroll downhill from Bark Hut campground and is moderately steep in some sections.
Quality of path
Formed track: The walk is 1.2m-wide and sealed bitumen with sections that are wood boardwalk. There are 2 pedestrian bridges towards the start of the walk.
Other barriers
Other barriers: There are around 30 raised wooden water bars throughout the walk for drainage.
Getting there and parking
Euglah Rock walking track is in the Kaputar Plateau precinct of Mount Kaputar National Park. To get there from Narrabri:
- Take Old Gunnedah Road south and then, after about 2.5km, turn left onto Kaputar Road.
- Follow Kaputar Road for 27km to the entrance of Mount Kaputar National Park. The road from the park entrance is a steep, single lane road and caravans are not permitted.
- Take the Bark Hut turn-off, 14km along on the right.
- The walking track starts from the bottom of the campground
Parking
Parking is available in 2 small bitumen carparks at Bark Hut campground where this walk begins. One of the carparks has an accessible parking space.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Mount Kaputar National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
This is one of the best times of year to visit the park, with ideal temperatures for bush walking, cycling and camping.
Spring
A beautiful time of year to enjoy the abundant wildflowers and birds.
Summer
Escape the heat of the plains by heading up into the park.
Winter
Experience the mist surrounding the high plateau area and enjoy the beauty of the occasional blanketing of snow. Be prepared for the temperatures about 10°C cooler than in the nearby town of Narrabri.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
21°C and 35°C
Highest recorded
43.4°C
Winter temperature
Average
7°C and 18°C
Lowest recorded
-5.6°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
August
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
188mm
Facilities
Toilets and picnic facilities are available at Bark Hut campground where this walk begins.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
Euglah Rock walking track is a 1.2m-wide sealed bitumen path with sections of wood boardwalk and 2 pedestrian bridges.
People with reduced mobility may need assistance:
- The walk is moderately steep in some sections and is not recommended for wheelchair users, prams and mobility scooters.
- Although the walk is step-free, there are around 30 raised wooden bars along the track for drainage.
There is an accessible parking space at Bark Hut campground where this walk begins.
The nearest toilets are at the campground, but they're not accessible or ambulant.
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
Euglah Rock walking track is in Mount Kaputar National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A harsh lifestyle
Several pioneering families lived in the Mount Kaputar area in extremely harsh conditions. Stockmen looked after sheep and cattle on the Kaputar Plateau, often going for months without seeing another person. Enjoy a walk to the historic Scutts Hut to experience the pioneers' harsh lifestyle. The Scutt family lived in the hut in the 1940s and 50s, and it has been carefully restored to its original condition. Most of the materials to build the hut and furniture were brought in by horse - even the rainwater tank.
An ancient heritage
Mount Kaputar National Park is the traditional Country of the Gamilaroi Aboriginal people. The park provided a rich resource for food, medicines, shelter and weapons and the landscape is part of Dreaming stories. Reminders of the Gamilaroi's connection to this ancient landscape are evident in Aboriginal rock carvings, campsites, marks on trees and axe grinding grooves throughout the park.
Colourful locals
Mount Kaputar is famous for a very unusual, colourful local - a bright pink slug. It can be seen after rain on rocks, trees and amongst the leaf litter. With birds from both the east and west meeting together at Mount Kaputar, the park is also a wonderful place to go bird watching. More than 185 bird species live in the park, so don't forget your binoculars. A torch will also come in handy for seeing some of the other locals that come out at night, including possums and greater gliders. And watch out for the many kangaroos and wallabies, too.
- Dawsons Spring nature trail Dawsons Spring nature trail is an easy walk from Dawsons Spring campground in Mount Kaputar National Park, near Narrabri. Great for families, you'll enjoy seasonal waterfalls, wildflowers and wildlife spotting.
- Euglah Rock walking track Ideal for walking with kids, Euglah Rock walking track in Mount Kaputar National Park leads to a lookout offering stunning scenic views of Euglah Rock and beyond.
Action or relaxation
Mount Kaputar National Park is packed with walks, cycling and 4WD trails, plus plenty of scenic spots for camping and picnicking. Test your mountain bike legs up the steep Mount Kaputar Road to the Kaputar Plateau, or the challenging Barraba track. Enjoy a bite to eat at a serene picnic area before walking it off as you take in the stunning scenery. Don't miss the incredible Sawn Rocks formation. There's so much to see, why not book a cabin or set up camp for a few days to make the most of your country getaway.
- Sawn Rocks picnic area Sawn Rocks picnic area is located at the start of Sawn Rocks walking track in Mount Kaputar National Park. It’s ideal for barbecues and picnics with scenic views of North West NSW.
- Waa Gorge picnic area Waa Gorge is one of Mount Kaputar National Park’s most stunning attractions, and this picnic area offers enough sights to enjoy the show over a long lunch.
Over 20 million years in the making
Two volcanos pushed Mount Kaputar high above the plains, and millions of years of erosion have carved a dramatic landscape of narrow valleys and steep ridges. Many of the mountains are ancient lava terraces. Experience ancient history for yourself by standing on Lindsay Rock Tops - an excellent example of a lava terrace. Or visit Sawn Rocks to see one of Australia's best examples of a spectacular rock formation called organ-piping - it really does look like a wall of giant organ pipes.
- Bundabulla circuit walking track Bundabulla circuit walking track 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.
- Dawsons Spring nature trail Dawsons Spring nature trail is an easy walk from Dawsons Spring campground in Mount Kaputar National Park, near Narrabri. Great for families, you'll enjoy seasonal waterfalls, wildflowers and wildlife spotting.
- Doug Sky lookout Doug Sky lookout in Mount Kaputar National Park offers scenic views over north-west NSW and Warrumbungles.
- Kaputar scenic drive Kaputar scenic drive is a 20km driving route through dramatic landscapes, with access to lookouts, picnic spots and walking tracks.
- Sawn Rocks walking track This easy walk beside a shady creek bed leads you to a spectacular rock formation - the unique, organ-pipe cliff face of Sawn Rocks and scenic views.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
-
Kaputar rock skink (Egernia roomi)
The critically endangered Kaputar rock skink is found only in the high rocky peaks of Mount Kaputar National Park. With one of the smallest ranges of any vertebrate in NSW, this rare reptile is at risk of extinction.
-
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.
-
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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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.
Plants
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Wonga wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana)
The wonga wonga vine is a widespread vigorous climber usually found along eastern Australia. A variation of the plant occurs in the central desert, where it resembles a sprawling shrub. One of the more common Australian native plants, the wonga wonga vine produces bell-shaped white or yellow flowers in the spring, followed by a large oblong-shaped seed pod.
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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.