Yango walking track
Yengo National Park
Overview
Yango walking track in Yengo National Park takes hikers through pristine wilderness, including rainforest, and offers outstanding views.
- Distance
- 6km loop
- Time suggested
- 2hrs 30min - 3hrs 30min
- Grade
- Grade 4
- Trip Intention Form
-
It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.
- What to
bring - Drinking water, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, suitable clothing
- Please note
- Vehicle access to this walking track is available to visitors who are camping or staying at Big Yango House, Blue Gums campground or Mountain Arm campground. Gate codes will be provided in booking confirmations.
- The weather in the area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
- It's a good idea to wear long pants and enclosed shoes to protect yourself from stinging nettles on parts of the track
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching
Following a former logging trail, Yango walking track travels for 6km through some of the most pristine and picturesque wilderness in Yengo National Park. In parts, the track can be a little rough and there are some steep sections, but tackling them ensures ample rewards, such as views of the unique geology and surrounding sandstone landscape.
Along the way, you’ll be able to see the rare velvet wattle, which flourishes in this part of the world. On the sheltered southern side of Mount Yengo, you’ll also pass through a small section of rainforest, with red cedars and giant stinging trees.
The best time to tackle the walk is in autumn or spring when conditions are mild. Don’t forget to bring your camera or binoculars – there’ll be plenty of opportunities for photography or birdwatching along the way.
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/yango-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 Yengo National Park in the Sydney and surrounds and North Coast regions
Yengo National Park is always open, but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
The Big Yango precinct of the park is within locked gates and requires a permit to enter.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Yango walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
6km loop
Time
2hrs 30min - 3hrs 30min
Quality of markings
Sign posted
Experience required
Some bushwalking experience recommended
Gradient
Short steep hills
Steps
Occasional steps
Quality of path
Rough track, many obstacles
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Yango walking track is in the Big Yango precinct of Yengo National Park. To get there from Wollombi:
- Take Yango Creek Road for 10km to Upper Yango Creek Road
- Continue along Upper Yango Creek Road for 2.4km and turn right onto Finchley track, after the wooden bridge and cattle grid.
- Follow for 9.2km, passing Finchley lookout, then continue west to Yango walking track.
- The Big Yango entrance and locked gate is 13.5km away. A gate code is required to access this area.
- 5km from the gate is Big Yango House. This is as far as you can take 2WD vehicles.
- 4WDs can turn right, following the track to Blue Gums campground and Yango loop track.
- Drive along Yango loop track for 4.5km to the gate at the base of Mount Yengo and the start of the walk
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as the road to Yango walking track can become boggy when it rains.
Parking
Car and bus parking is available at the base of Mount Yengo, at the start of Yango walking track. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Yengo National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Try mountain bike-riding around the Mount Yengo loop trail.
Spring
Set up camp at either Blue Gums or Mountain Arm campground and enjoy the stunning spring wildflower display.
Summer
Great for 4WD touring, experience those amazing sunsets and spectacular views from Finchley lookout.
Winter
Make Big Yango House your base to explore the park, enjoy warm days on the veranda and chilly nights by the fireplace.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
13°C and 30°C
Highest recorded
44°C
Winter temperature
Average
4°C and 18°C
Lowest recorded
-6.7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February
Driest month
July
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
178.4mm
Facilities
- Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
- You’re encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
Maps and downloads
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
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
Yango walking track is in Yengo National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Amazing animal and birdlife
Yengo is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including around 50 species of mammals such as wombats, wallaroos, koalas and gliding possums, and over 200 species of birds. Watch out for the gang gang, yellow-tailed and glossy black cockatoos gliding between the treetops, or see if you can spot a lyrebird darting across bush tracks. Look closely at the steep rugged cliff faces found in the park as you might catch a glimpse of the endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby.
- Yango walking track Yango walking track in Yengo National Park takes hikers through pristine wilderness, including rainforest, and offers outstanding views.
Ancient Aboriginal culture
Yengo National Park and the surrounding areas have been an important spiritual and cultural place for the Darkinjung and Wonnarua People for thousands of years. No wonder there are over 640 recorded Aboriginal cultural sites in the park and nearby areas. Creation stories recount that Biamie, the ancestral being, stepped off the flat top of Mount Yengo into the sky when he finished his creation. Today, Aboriginal stories and rock engravings connect us with the rich culture of this ancient land and its people.
- Finchley cultural walk An astonishing wealth of ancient Aboriginal rock art, as well as great insights into Aboriginal history, draws visitors to the Finchley cultural walk.
- Finchley lookout Finchley lookout offers spectacular views over this remote wilderness area and an insight into the Aboriginal cultural heritage of Yengo National Park.
- Wollombi Aboriginal culture tours and camps Immerse yourself in the world’s oldest living culture and visit important spiritual and cultural sites in and around Yengo National Park on tours with Wollombi Aboriginal Cultural Experiences and Consultancy.
Remote wilderness to discover
Yengo offers a range of activities and options for all ages. Unsealed tracks through remote valleys provide opportunities to explore the park on mountain bike or by 4WD. For bushwalkers, there are many options to experience the rugged beauty of the park on foot, with both short walks and overnight walks. In the Big Yango precinct, there are even opportunities for horse riding adventures.
- Big Yango loop trail Big Yango loop trail is a great activity for 4WD touring and mountain biking when staying at Blue Gums campground, Mountain Arm campground or Big Yango House in Yengo National Park.
- Howes trail Drive through open forests along Howes trail, a must-do 4WD touring route in Yengo National Park.
World Heritage wonders
Yengo National Park is one of the eight conservation areas that make up the massive Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Property. Covering one million hectares, it was included in the World Heritage list in December 2000 for its remarkable geographic, botanic and cultural values. There are more than 90 different eucalypt species found here - some 13 per cent of all eucalypt species in the world.
- Howes trail Drive through open forests along Howes trail, a must-do 4WD touring route in Yengo National Park.
- Shepherds Gully circuit Step back in time on Shepherds Gully circuit. A short loop, it's ideal for bushwalkers looking for a quick adventure in Yengo National Park.