Mount Kaputar summit walk
Mount Kaputar National Park
Overview
Walk to the summit of Mount Kaputar at sunrise or sunset, for stunning 360° views of the dramatic cliff and rock formations from the lookout.
- Where
- Mount Kaputar National Park in Country NSW
- Distance
- 2km return
- Time suggested
- 45min - 1hr 15min
- Grade
- Grade 3
- Please note
- The walk starts near Dawsons Spring picnic area – a good place for a picnic or barbecue if you have time.
- It’s a good idea to put sunscreen on before you set out and remember to take a hat and plenty of drinking water.
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird watch.
The Mount Kaputar Summit walk winds its way up through towering eucalypts to emerge at a lookout with stunning 360° views of the dramatic mountain range. Starting from Dawsons Spring picnic area and following Dawsons Spring Nature trail, the walk to the summit will have your heart racing, but the spectacular view is well worth the journey.
Millions of years in the making, it’s definitely worth packing your camera to capture the beauty of the park from a bird’s eye view. To make the trip extra special, combine the walk with a stay at Dawsons Spring cabins and walk up before sunrise or sunset and watch the colours flood across the landscape. For an easier journey try driving to the summit and walking back down.
Map
Map
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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/mount-kaputar-summit-walk/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 Mount Kaputar summit walk.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
2km return
Time
45min - 1hr 15min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Short steep hills
Steps
Many steps
Quality of path
Formed track
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Mount Kaputar summit walk starts at Dawsons Spring picnic area in the Kaputar Plateau section of Mount Kaputar National Park.
To get there:
- Drive south along the Old Gunnedah Road from Narrabri for about 4km, then turn left onto Mount Kaputar Road.
- After approximately 46km you will reach a t-junction, turn right and take the next right into Dawsons Spring.
Alternatively, if starting from Mount Kaputar summit
- Drive south along the Old Gunnedah Road from Narrabri for about 4km, then turn left onto Mount Kaputar Road.
- After approximately 46km you will reach a t-junction, turn left and follow to the summit.
Road quality
Mount Kaputar Road is not suitable for caravans.
Parking
Parking is available at Dawsons Spring picnic area and Mount Kaputar summit.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Mount Kaputar National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
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
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Caravans are not permitted on Mount Kaputar Road.
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
Mount Kaputar summit walk 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.
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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.
-
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.