Unofficial guide · verify with NSW National Parks

WarrumbungleNational ParkUnofficial operator’s manual

Western entry & Split Rock

Western park entry, Camp Wambelong, Belougery Split Rock circuit, Burbie Canyon and the longer Mount Exmouth day from the western / Burbie side.

  • Best for: Split Rock views, quieter western camping, Burbie Canyon birdwatching, long Mount Exmouth days
  • Time: 2.5–3.5 hrs for Belougery Split Rock; 30–60 min for Burbie Canyon; 5–7 hrs for Mount Exmouth
  • Western access via John Renshaw Parkway. Approaches from Gilgandra / Tooraweenah (Tourist Drive 1) or Coonamble / Gulargambone (some unsealed). 2WD on sealed main spine; unsealed approaches need extra caution.

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Bluff Mountain cliff face and surrounding volcanic country, Warrumbungle National Park, NSW

Western entry & Split Rock — Bluff Mountain

Kytabu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Why the western side is a different day

The western entry is for people coming from Gilgandra, Tooraweenah, Coonamble or Gulargambone — or for campers who want Split Rock outside the Pincham weekend crush. It is still the same national park and the same vehicle fee. It is not a shortcut to Grand High Tops without walking.

Belougery Split Rock is the western signature: a 4.6 km Grade 4 loop (NPWS, 2.5–3.5 hours) around an ancient lava dome. Burbie Canyon is the gentle contrast. Mount Exmouth is the long western summit day.

Country of the Gamilaraay, Weilwan and Wiradjuri peoples; managed by NPWS. Unofficial guide — verify live status on nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.

Western approaches

From Gilgandra: Newell Highway north, Tourist Drive 1 through Tooraweenah, then John Renshaw Parkway into the park (official visitor-info directions). From Coonamble or Gulargambone, expect some unsealed road — [VERIFY] condition after rain. From Coonabarabran the sealed parkway still reaches the western nodes; it is not a separate park.

Entry points listed by NPWS: Eastern, Western and Gunneemooroo. 2WD is suitable on the sealed main spine. Do not invent 4WD-only drama on John Renshaw Parkway — save caution for unsealed feeder roads and remote camps.

Western walks

Belougery Split Rock: experienced / moderately fit walkers, rough path, scramble on carved steps, 360° views and raptor country. Carry water and a hat. Limited reception.

Burbie Canyon: 2 km return, Grade 3, 30–60 minutes (NPWS). Sandstone gorge, creek stepping stones, turquoise parrots and peregrine nesting habitat. Family-friendly when water levels are sensible.

Mount Exmouth: 17 km return, Grade 4, 5–7 hours (NPWS). Peak about 1206 m. Trip Intention and free PLB hire recommended. Links with the High Tops network at Ogma Gap for parties who planned that join — not as an impulse after a late start.

Camp Wambelong and remote western sites

Camp Wambelong is the western vehicle camp with Split Rock views — toilets and BBQs when listed ([VERIFY]). Book only via NPWS. Park entry still applies.

Burbie Camp, Gunneemooroo, Danu and other remote names in the public inventory are official products with booking rules. Some walk-in sites have a booking fee even when camping itself is free — [VERIFY] the live page. Never freestyle.

Highlights at a glance

  • Belougery Split Rock — 4.6 km Grade 4 loop, steep/rocky, 360° views (NPWS)
  • Camp Wambelong — vehicle camp with Split Rock views, official booking only
  • Burbie Canyon — 2 km return Grade 3 gorge stroll, strong for birdwatching
  • Mount Exmouth — 17 km return Grade 4, 1206 m peak, 360° plains views (NPWS)
  • Western entry and Gunneemooroo as alternative access nodes
  • Links toward Ogma Gap / High Tops for self-reliant multi-day parties

Practical tips

  • Check unsealed feeder roads after rain if approaching from Coonamble or Gulargambone.
  • Split Rock: sturdy shoes, water, sun — Grade 4 in 4.6 km is honest.
  • Burbie Canyon: binoculars if you care about birds; reverse if the creek is up.
  • Mount Exmouth: early start, 2–3+ L water, Trip Intention, PLB, topo/GPS as NPWS suggests.
  • Fuel in Gilgandra, Coonamble or Coonabarabran — no park servo.
  • Screenshot local alerts before the last bar.

Facilities & services

  • Western / John Renshaw Parkway sealed spine (2WD)
  • Camp Wambelong — vehicle camp, official NPWS booking ([VERIFY] facilities)
  • Burbie Canyon trailhead / Burbie Camp context ([VERIFY])
  • Gunneemooroo entrance and campground — official products only
  • Toilets at listed camp and picnic nodes ([VERIFY] on the day)
  • Limited or no mobile reception

Confirm toilets, parking and open facilities on the day via official sources and on-site signage.

Walks & lookouts nearby

Grades, times and open/closed status change — open each guide and verify on NSW National Parks before you go.

Split Rock

hard

Steep, rocky Grade 4 loop around an ancient lava dome on the western side. NPWS: 4.6 km, 2.5–3.5 hours. Final stretch includes steps carved into a rocky knoll. Short distance, real effort, big views.

Grade
Grade 4 — steep, rocky, experienced walkers (NPWS)
Time
2 hours 30 min – 3 hours 30 min suggested (NPWS)
Distance
4.6 km loop (NPWS)

View guide →

Burbie Canyon

easy

Gentle 2 km return through a sandstone gorge with creek stepping stones. Strong for birdwatching (peregrine falcons, turquoise parrots). Spring wildflowers. Western / Burbie side of the park.

Grade
Grade 3 — gentle gorge stroll (NPWS)
Time
30 minutes – 1 hour suggested (NPWS)
Distance
2 km return (NPWS)

View guide →

Mount Exmouth

hard

Long Grade 4 return to Mount Exmouth, the 1206 m peak of the range. NPWS: 17 km, 5–7 hours. Basalt remnants of the old volcanic shield, woodland on The Boulevarde, sparse summit plants. Trip Intention and free PLB hire. Can link toward Ogma Gap / High Tops if planned.

Grade
Grade 4 — long return to the range high point (NPWS)
Time
5–7 hours suggested (NPWS)
Distance
17 km return (NPWS)

View guide →

All trails

Itineraries that use this area

Two days / one night

Weekend: Camp Blackman + one big walk

Book Camp Blackman (or another official site) via NPWS only. Day 1: arrive, Visitor Centre, easy lookout or Fans Horizon. Night under Dark Sky. Day 2: Breadknife if fit, or Split Rock / Whitegum if not.

2–4 days (self-reliant)

Self-reliant backcountry (multi-day)

There is no hut-serviced multi-day like the Overland Track. Walk-in camps (Balor Hut, Ogma Gap, Dows, Hurleys, Burbie, Gunneemooroo, Danu and others) can link Grand High Tops, Bluff Mountain and Mount Exmouth if you book, register and carry everything.

Map

Orientation only — confirm trailheads and road status before you drive.

Interactive map — pin may be approximate. Confirm trailheads and road status before you drive.

Open in Google MapsGet directions

FAQ — Western / Split Rock

Tap a question to expand the answer.

Is Belougery Split Rock suitable for kids?

NPWS describes it as best for experienced bushwalkers and older kids with moderate fitness. It is Grade 4, rocky, with a scramble on carved steps. Mixed young families are usually better on Burbie Canyon, Wambelong Nature or Whitegum Lookout.

Can I drive to Mount Exmouth summit?

No. Mount Exmouth is a walking track — 17 km return Grade 4 (NPWS). Vehicle access is to the trailhead system, not the 1206 m summit.

Is the western approach sealed?

John Renshaw Parkway inside the main visitor spine is the sealed 2WD access. Approaches from Coonamble and Gulargambone include unsealed sections. [VERIFY] live road notes after rain.

Stays, tours & gear near Western / Split Rock

Optional next steps after you plan this area — park fees and official NPWS bookings are never affiliated.

Nearby stays

Coonabarabran (primary) · Gilgandra · Tooraweenah · Coonamble · Dubbo

  • Hotels & stays in CoonabarabranPrimary gateway — closest town, astronomy capital, ~35 km via Timor Rd / John Renshaw Parkway
  • GilgandraSouthern approach via Tooraweenah Tourist Drive 1
  • TooraweenahSmall western-approach village on Tourist Drive 1
  • CoonambleNorth-west approach — some unsealed sections
  • DubboRegional hub for flights and car hire — not a trailhead

All Booking.com links open in a new tab and may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official NPWS camping and cottage bookings are never affiliated.

Guided tours

Optional — regional astronomy and country NSW searches, not park entry

A tour does not replace checking NSW National Parks alerts, weather, or track status yourself.

What to bring

Practical kit for heat, water, grip and dark-sky nights

Some stay, tour and gear links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Park entry fees and official NPWS camping bookings are never affiliated. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy

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