Short Hikes in the Warrumbungles
Short Hikes in the Warrumbungles
Not everything in the Warrumbungles requires an epic hike or a full day of planning. Some of the park’s best spots are the short walks — the ones you can slip in between longer trails, on your way to camp, or just before sunset. They might be easy on the legs, but they still show off the park’s incredible variety of landscapes, from sheer volcanic walls to open plains glowing in afternoon light.
Whitegum Lookout
A short, paved wander that delivers one of the best panoramas in the Warrumbungles for almost no effort. Whitegum lookout follows an easy sealed path through open woodland to a rocky outcrop where the whole skyline opens up: Breadknife, Crater Bluff, Bluff Mountain, Split Rock, Mount Exmouth and more all lined up on the horizon. It’s pram-friendly, wheelchair-friendly, kid-friendly — and the views are spectacular.
Quick Details
Length: 1km
Elevation: Only one hill, and it’s not steep.
Grade: Easy
Best season: Year round
Suitable for kids: Yes
The Trail
Park the car. Walk up the hill. Done. It’s really that easy. The track is paved, and also nice and wide to make it accessible. The track itself leaves straight from the carpark, ending at a rocky outcrop with safety railings and interpretive signs, and this is where the Warrumbungles really flex. Spread out in front of you is the eroded heart of an ancient shield volcano: lava domes, rock walls and steep ridges circling the central valley.
(Photo by Rob Moore)
The view is incredible. From Belougery Spire on your left, to Belougery Split Rock on your right — and everything in between. Our friends Michael and Logan had visited earlier in the day, and with a little help from the enormous zoom lens on Logan’s camera, they actually managed to spot Annie running across the Grand High Tops trail 6km away! The view is completely uninterrupted.
(Photo by Mountains Walks)
We settled in amongst what I presume to be White Gums, to watch the sunset and it did not disappoint. Watching the golden glow across those beautiful rock formations as the sky turned red we found ourselves sitting quietly, just taking it all in.
(Photo by Mountains Walks)
Whitegum Lookout would also be a great place to stargaze after dark. It’s easily accessible, has a wide and uninterrupted view across the park. It’s one thing that we missed out on experiencing on this trip, but is definitely on our list for the next one.
Hickey’s Falls
A short walk to a surprisingly pretty waterfall. It’s the kind of place you’d only know about if someone told you — a quick detour that gives you cool shade, running water after rain, and a chance to step out of the car and breathe for a moment. It’s not a big hike, but it’s a beautiful roadside stop that’s worth taking your time with.
Quick Details
Length: 350m return
Elevation: None
Grade: Easy
Best season: After rain
Suitable for kids: Yes
The Trail
We stepped out of the cars and debated amongst each other if we should take our packs, or just our drink bottles. “How far is it?” — “How long do you think we’ll be?” — “It should be fine, we’re just gonna be in and out and then come back to the car”. Colour us surprised when we walked to the edge of the carpark, took all of about twelve steps on the dirt and then we were there…
If you want to get closer to the waterfall there is a bit of rock scrambling to be done but it’s nothing too difficult. It would be great to visit after rain to see the rocks turn into cascades. Unfortunately on our visit someone had graffitied the top of the falls. But hopefully that will be gone soon.
The rock walls around the sides of the pool are interesting to see. It’s clearly more volcanic rock, and here it’s broken in large vertical chunks like columns. The water has an odd cloudy look to it, and we wondered if maybe there was some limestone in the rocks upstream to give it that chalky look. The pool isn’t really big enough for a proper swim, just the right size though for cooling off in the hot weather.
Hickeys Falls might not be an all-day adventure, but it’s such a lovely little stop. If you’re heading to or from the Warrumbungles, or even just passing through Coonabarabran, it’s worth ten minutes of your time. Bring a camera, stretch your legs, and enjoy a waterfall you can visit without even leaving the roadside.
Belougery Flats
A wide, open valley walk just outside Camp Blackman, Belougery Flats is the perfect way to start or finish a day in the Warrumbungles. It’s flat, quiet, and framed by some of the park’s most iconic peaks — a simple stroll with a surprisingly grand backdrop.
Quick Details
Length: Up to 3.4km to 5.2km depending on the circuit
Elevation: Pretty much none
Grade: Easy
Best season: Year round but particularly nice as an after dinner stroll from camp
Suitable for kids: Yes
The Trail
Belougery Flats trail leaves from both Camp Blackman 2 and 3 — and wanders around (you guessed it) the flat paddock looking area next to camp. We decided to take a leisurely wander to see what it was like, and it turned out to be a great idea. What we originally thought would just be a flat boring track gave us some of our favourite views of the Bungles the entire weekend.
This is one of the best easy-access views to the iconic mountain range of the park. The Breadknife and Belougery Spire punch up into the sky, off to the right sits Crater Bluff. To the left, the big rounded shoulder of Bluff Mountain. All the giants are lined up, and from the Flats, they look especially dramatic because there’s nothing to block their view.
Because the area is so open, it’s one of the easiest places in the Warrumbungles to spot wildlife. Wallabies often graze along the edges of the grass, especially in the early morning. Kangaroos hop through at dusk, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of emus crossing the Flats in their slow, purposeful way.
It’s the sort of walk that doesn’t need to be long to be worthwhile. Ten minutes, half an hour, even just a slow amble after dinner — every version of it feels good. On busy hiking days, Belougery Flats is a gentler way to take in the landscape without committing to a climb.
We had come to the Bungles as a group for a weekend of adventure. We all had long lists of things we wanted to see and do. From epic views at sunrise, unforgettable hikes, to conquering new challenges, the Warrumbungles promised to deliver on it all. As we stood there in silence, watching the golden glow across the mountains and spires that make this place so iconic, we all shared the same thought — this was one hell of a weekend.
Getting There
Warrumbungle National Park is around 150km north of Dubbo, or 35km west of Coonabarabran.
Whitegum Lookout car park can be found just off John Renshaw Parkway around 1km east of the Warrumbungles NPWS office.
Hickeys Falls is located on the Newell Highway approximately 9km south of Coonabarabran. Look for the rest stop area on the highway.
Belougery Flats can be found just outside of Camp Blackman and can be hiked as a circuit bringing you back into the camp at the other end.
Tips and Tricks (and Thanks)
Thank you to our amazing friends for joining us on this trip. If you'd like to see more photos from our trip, you can check out our camping companions Instagrams Rob, Edna, Michael, Annie, and Logan.
You can read about our other hikes in the Warrumbungles here.