Burbie Canyon walking track

How to get there

1. Western John Renshaw Parkway / Burbie access. Vehicle entry applies — [VERIFY] $8.
2. Some western approaches include unsealed road — check after rain. 2WD on the sealed spine from Coonabarabran.
3. Confirm the signed Burbie Canyon trailhead on the official page — not Pincham.
4. Official Walk on the Wild Side meets at Burbie Canyon carpark when scheduled — book that product on NPWS only.

How to do it (step by step)

1. Easy pace, binoculars if you care about birds, drinking water, hat and sunscreen (NPWS kit list).
2. Follow the signed 2 km return through the sandstone gorge past the creek.
3. Stepping stones — reverse if the creek is up. Do not invent a wet-weather bypass.
4. Spring: parrot pea, guinea flower, five corners in official notes. Look for peregrine falcons in rock-face hollows and turquoise parrots overhead.
5. Return the same way. This is a stroll, not a Split Rock warm-up unless that was a separate planned product.

Who this walk is for

Choose Burbie Canyon for a short western gorge stroll and birdwatching. Official: 2 km return, Grade 3, 30–60 minutes (re-checked 2026-08-15). Popular with families when the creek is sensible.

NPWS lists accessibility as Hard despite the gentle distance — stepping stones and gorge surface. If you needed sealed and wheelchair-friendly, that is Whitegum Lookout on the main spine.

What to expect

A 2 km return through a narrow sandstone gorge beside a creek. Peregrine falcons nest in rock-face hollows; rare turquoise parrots dart overhead. Spring wildflowers — parrot pea, guinea flower, five corners — are the extra, not a reason to skip water.

Swamp and red-necked wallabies are common. A koala in a eucalypt is luck, never a booking. Official Discovery “Walk on the Wild Side” uses this track when scheduled.

Logistics

Western trailhead, not Pincham. Vehicle day entry applies. Carry water, hat and sunscreen. Limited or no mobile reception is official. Reverse if stepping stones are underwater.

Burbie Camp is a nearby walk-in campground with no camping fee and a $6 booking fee (NPWS, re-checked 15 Aug 2026) — [VERIFY]. Park entry still applies. Spring water at camp is untreated and not drinking water.

Pairing

Calm western day: Burbie Canyon plus Split Rock only if the group is Grade 4-ready and this was planned. Do not add Mount Exmouth. Heat or high creek: canyon only, then a picnic.

Guided option: Walk on the Wild Side is an official NPWS afternoon product at this carpark — remaining 2026 dates and prices on the Tours page. Not an affiliate.

Map (orientation)

Pin may be approximate. Confirm trailheads, parking and track status on NSW National Parks before you drive.