The Wambelong Nature Track is the best easy walk in the Warrumbungles. You might wonder how good a 1.5km walk can really be and the answer is: seriously good.
Not only do you get some of the best (in my opinion the best) views of Split Rock, you also get to walk through a gorgeous canyon.
Given it takes less than 30 minutes, you can tack it on to other walks you might be doing in the park, or use it as a great leg stretcher after the long drive in, because let’s face it, the Warrumbungles are a long drive from pretty much anywhere!
Here’s why you shouldn’t skip this lesser known walk in the Warrumbungle National Park.
The Wambelong Nature Track
The stats
Distance: 1.5km circuit (+ 1.1km return if starting at Camp Blackman)
Elevation gain: 35m
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Canyon Picnic Area
Summary: The Wambelong Nature Track isn’t completely flat, but any uphill sections are very short. The majority of the walk is on a well maintained path, though there is one section where you climb up a rock slope guided by yellow reflectors. It’s not a steep rock slope and the rock is very grippy when dry.
If you’re camping at nearby Camp Blackman, you can begin the walk from there which adds on 550m each way.
There are a few more stairs to climb with this option but it’s still a very easy walk. You’ll also get more great views of Split Rock.
Starting the trail: up the rock slope for incredible views
From the Canyon picnic area you can walk the trail in either direction, we’d recommend getting the little hill out the way first, heading in a clockwise direction.
Just beyond the picnic benches you’ll see a sign for the walk and head left.
The track leads uphill, reaching the rock slab 100m later. Unless it’s wet the rock slab is very grippy and walking up it is easy.
There are small yellow reflectors guiding you up, but it’s not overly steep along any section, so you don’t even really need them.
After 150m you will get some utterly fabulous views of Split Rock and they only get better as you reach the top, 200m away.
It’s definitely worth taking a moment to look behind you and really take in the amazing mountain views.
The trail then continues into the bush and along some more rocks before it curves left and heads down the stairs.
Roughly 100m later you will reach the road and head right, crossing the grass and then the small creek bed to pick up the trail on the other side (just over 200m away).
Follow this path and after 140m you will come to another signpost. This is the connection point with the track that comes in from Camp Blackman.
Through the gorge
At the signpost you’ll continue along the narrow gravel path as you make your way towards the gorge. After 100m you’ll come to a fun little section between some narrow rock walls which leads down the stairs and into the most beautiful part of the gorge.
You’ll probably share the path with a number of the resident kangaroo population and if you’re lucky a few euros too.
After 150m along the flat path you will reach an incredible view of Split Rock, made all the more impressive by the huge gorge wall to your right.
It’s a really stunning part of the walk and even though the creek was dry for us it was still so beautiful.
After passing through the gorge you’ll come to a flat grassy path which you will follow to the picnic area where you begun the walk, a couple of hundred metres away.
The route if coming from Camp Blackman
If you’re staying at the campground it makes sense to walk from there and the additional 1.1km (return) is pretty and easy, with just a small amount of additional uphill walking.
From the western side of the campground (not far from the amenity block) you’ll see a signpost for the Wambelong Nature Track and follow the stairs downhill and along the stony creek bed.
At the 250m mark you will follow the left fork and head up the stairs. The track flattens 50m later and then leads downhill after another 100m.
The view of Split Rock from the stairs leading down to the road is another absolute beauty. You’ll reach the road at the 450m mark and cross it to reach the junction with the loop track 100m later (550m from the campground).
Getting to the Wambelong Nature Track trailhead
There are a number of car parks you could use for the Wambelong Nature Track. Our track notes begin at the Canyon picnic area car park which has plenty of spaces, you can see the exact location on Google maps here.
You could also walk from Camp Blackman if you’re staying there (an additional 1.1km return; the trailhead can be found by clicking here).
The journey time from the nearest town of Coonabarabran is around 35 minutes if you aren’t camping inside the park.
The Warrumbungle National Park has a daily fee of $8 per vehicle, though if you have an annual NSW National Parks Pass this fee is included.
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