Woolpack Rocks
Cathedral Rock National Park
Overview
Starting from Native Dog campground, follow this track to Woolpack Rocks, where you can picnic, birdwatch and walk to the summit for views across the New England Tablelands.
- Where
- Cathedral Rock National Park in Country NSW
- Distance
- 8km return
- Time suggested
- 2hrs 30min - 3hrs 30min
- Grade
- Grade 4
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- 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.
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
Woolpack Rocks shouldn’t be overlooked just because the national park wasn’t named after them. Easily accessible from Native Dog campground, this feature is a geological wonder in its own right.
As you walk towards the Woolpack Rocks, their size and shape capture your gaze. You can tell they’re ancient – in fact, they’re around 270 million years old. You can also see some of the dykes created at the same time when molten rock pushed into deep pockets within the earth’s crust; you’re walking along a timeline.
The well-weathered boulders are 1400m above sea level, yet clambering to the summit is even easier than at Cathedral Rock. So, you’re getting a great scenic view for the price of a prehistoric walk and an easy climb.
Also see
-
Woolpack Rocks lookout
Woolpack Rocks lookout is in Cathedral Rock National Park. Use Woolpack Rocks walking track to reach this lofty summit of spectacular boulders and enjoy fantastic tableland views.
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/woolpack-rocks/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 Cathedral Rock National Park in the Country NSW region
Cathedral Rock 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 Woolpack Rocks.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
8km return
Time
2hrs 30min - 3hrs 30min
Quality of markings
Limited signage
Experience required
Some bushwalking experience recommended
Gradient
Short steep hills
Steps
Occasional steps
Quality of path
Rough track, many obstacles
Getting there and parking
Woolpack Rocks starts at Native Dog campground in the north section of Cathedral Rock National Park. To get there:
- Take Guyra Road north for 10km from the Waterfall Way intersection (3km west of Ebor).
- From Guyra Road, turn left and follow a short gravel road into Native Dog campground.
Parking
Parking is available at Native Dog campground.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Cathedral Rock National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Within the tall, moist forest, kangaroos poise in the mist amongst granite boulders as morning light streams through the canopy,making this the ideal time of year to capture that perfect photograph.
Spring
Feast your eyes on this season's wildflower displays, when heath shrub and ground plants show you what they're really made of. Bring your walking shoes and a macro lens.
Summer
The relatively high altitude of the park offers cool respite from the summer heat of the region's western slopes and coastal lowlands.
Winter
Rug up and come prepared as winter temperatures plunge overnight. The rewards for braving the cold are sparkling frosty mornings and clear sunny days. Winter is also the peak time for the male lyrebird to call with most intensity as he courts a mate.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
11.5°C and 23°C
Highest recorded
32.8°C
Winter temperature
Average
1°C and 11°C
Lowest recorded
-7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
June
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
84mm
Facilities
Drinking water is limited or 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
Woolpack Rocks is in Cathedral Rock National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
270 million years in the making
The granites of the New England batholith, which formed deep beneath the earth's surface 270 million years ago, dominate Cathedral Rock National Park. For the next 50 million years, further intrusions of molten rock were forced into fissures deep within the earth's crust, forming some of the dykes evident in the park today. Weathering has exposed large granite tors - most notably, Cathedral Rock, a series of large granite boulders perched one on top of another to a height of about 200m and extending approximately 1km. The most recent geological feature in the park is the basalt-capping on the summit of Round Mountain, a domed peak in the centre of the park. These basalt flows originated in the Ebor volcano, centred to the east of Point lookout, which was active around 18 million years ago.
- Cathedral Rock track Cathedral Rock track is an exciting and challenging walk, near to Barokee campground and Round Mountain, offering scenic views across the New England Tablelands from the summit.
- Warrigal walking track Warrigal walking track, close to Native Dog campground in Cathedral Rock National Park, is a short, easy walk that’s popular with families and those who enjoy birdwatching.
- Woolpack Rocks Starting from Native Dog campground, follow this track to Woolpack Rocks, where you can picnic, birdwatch and walk to the summit for views across the New England Tablelands.
Rich with colour and biodiversity
Flax lily, pixie cap and wax lip are just some of the flowering plants and understory shrubs you'll find in Cathedral Rock National Park. Most wildflowers emerge in spring, but ground orchids bloom at various times of the year, and banksias display their orange flowers year-round. Keep a particular eye out for the Montane green five-corners - this threatened plant only grows on granite soils in or near the park. You'll also find concentrated areas of wattle, where broad-leaf hickory, silver and fern leaf wattle flower in late winter and early spring. Eastern grey kangaroos graze in the open grassy areas of the park alongside red-necked and swamp wallabies and wallaroos. Other wildlife you're likely to spot here are glossy black cockatoos, skinks, wedge-tailed eagles and rose robins by day, and the threatened brush-tailed phascogales and spotted-tailed quolls by night.
- Barokee to Native Dog Creek walk This track is the longest in Cathedral Rock National Park. It links Barokee and Native Dog campgrounds and takes in both Woolpack Rocks and Cathedral Rock along the way.
- Warrigal walking track Warrigal walking track, close to Native Dog campground in Cathedral Rock National Park, is a short, easy walk that’s popular with families and those who enjoy birdwatching.
Walking experiences for all levels
From a stroll to a scramble, there are plenty of walking opportunities in Cathedral Rock National Park. Hiking tracks are easily accessible from the campgrounds and the longest track - Barokee to Native Dog Creek walk - can be started from either end. Cathedral Rock track is a medium-difficulty walk, and will take you almost three hours. And there are off-track opportunities for those who are experienced, well-equipped, and walking as part of a group.