The Governor lookout walking track

Mount Kaputar National Park

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Overview

Enjoy scenic mountain views over Grattai wilderness area from The Governor lookout walking track.

Accessibility
Medium
Distance
0.45km return
Time suggested
15 - 30min
Grade
Grade 2
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen
Please note
  • Check the weather before you set out as the road to The Governor lookout walking track can be closed due to snow and ice
  • The weather in the area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching

With spellbinding scenic views over the magnificent Nandewar and Grattai wilderness areas, The Governor lookout walking track is a great addition to a car tour of Mount Kaputar National Park. The short accessible boardwalk from the carpark makes it a quick and easy stop over, ideal for families, groups and school excursions.

From the lookout, take in the dramatic volcanic landscape and distinctive rock formation of The Governor. On a clear autumn day, the scenic mountain views go on forever and in winter you’ll see dramatic snow-capped peaks. It’s an ideal vantage spot to enjoy some birdwatching as wedge-tailed eagles are often seen circling above.

Experienced walkers will enjoy the challenge of The Governor Summit (Corrunbral Borawah) walking track while skilled rock climbers will love the chance to test themselves.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • View of rugged ridges and distant valleys in Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo Credit: Simone Cottrell  © DPIE

    The Governor lookout

    The Governor lookout is in Mount Kaputar National Park on The Governor lookout walking track. It’s a great spot for breathtaking views of a wild landscape shaped by volcanic activity.

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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/the-governor-lookout-walking-track/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about The Governor lookout walking track.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

0.45km return

Time

15 - 30min

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Gentle hills

Steps

No steps

Quality of path

Formed track: The walk is a 1.2m-wide bitumen seal track. As it reaches the lookout, there's a short, wooden boardwalk.

Other barriers

Other barriers: There are raised wooden water bars along the track for drainage.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    The Governor lookout walking track is in the Kaputar plateau precinct of Mount Kaputar National Park. To get there:

    • From Narrabri take Old Gunnedah Road south
    • After about 2.5km turn left onto Kaputar Road
    • Follow Kaputar Road for 27km to Mount Kaputar National Park entrance.
    • From the park entrance drive for 17km to the turn-off for The Governor lookout walking track, on your left. This is a steep, single lane road (not suitable for caravans).

    Parking

    Parking is available at the start of the walk, including one designated disabled spot.

    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

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    Bushwalking safety

    If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    Accessibility

    Disability access level - medium

    The Governor lookout walking track is a 1.2m-wide bitumen seal track that becomes a wheelchair-accessible wood boardwalk as it reaches the lookout platform.

    Some assistance may be required in wet or icy weather and over the water bars that lie along the track for drainage.

    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

    The Governor lookout walking track is in Mount Kaputar National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    A harsh lifestyle

    Scutts Hutt, Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Ian Brown

    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

    Views from Eckfords lookout, Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

    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

    Pink Slug (Triboniophorus aff. graeffei), Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

    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

    Verandah of Logan cabin, Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Simone Cottrell/OEH

    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

    Mount Kaputar, Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Ian Brown

    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.
    • The Governor lookout walking track Enjoy scenic mountain views over Grattai wilderness area from The Governor lookout walking track.
    • West Kaputar Rock lookout For scenic mountain views across the wilderness of Mount Kaputar National Park, enjoy West Kaputar Rock lookout on a scenic car tour, near Narrabri.
    Show more

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • A Mount Kaputar skink suns itself on rocks in Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Jodi Rowley © Jodi Rowley

      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. Photo: David Cook

      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. Photo: Kelly Nowak

      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.

    • Closeup of a laughing kookaburra's head and body. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

      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

    • Wonga Wonga vine. Photo: Barry Collier

      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.

    • Grass trees, Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

      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.

    Environments in this park

    Education resources (1)