Kaputar National Park – Outdoor adventures Northern NSW
If you’re interested in outdoor adventures birdwatching and bush walks we have some truly unique outdoor adventures within a 2 hour drive from Moree. Take a day trip and visit Mount Kaputar National Park.
Mount Kaputar National Park is the traditional Country of the Gamilaroi Aboriginal people. The park has provided a rich source for food, medicines, shelter and weapons and the landscape is part of Dreaming stories. Reminders of the Gamilaroi's connection to this ancient landscape are evident in Aboriginal rock carvings, campsites, marks on trees and axe grinding grooves throughout the park.
Over 2 million years in the making Mount Kaputar exists from Two volcanos that pushed Mount Kaputar high above the plains, and millions of years of erosion have carved a dramatic landscape of narrow valleys and steep ridges. Many of the mountains are ancient lava terraces.
Below we have outlined some of the most enjoyable things to see and do within the Mount Kaputar National Park.
Mount Kaputar scenic drive
The Kaputar scenic drive ascends about 1,100m and snakes up the mountainside. The beautiful plant life changes as you ascend, with wildflowers like golden wattle in September and white tea tree in the warmer months. The drive finishes at the summit of Mount Kaputar – be sure to bring your binoculars if you want to take in the wonderful views from above. Excellent for birdwatching!
One of the best things about this driving route is it can reach the quieter corners of the park, like stunning Doug Sky lookout, or Bark Hut, which is a perfect place to picnic. You can find barbecues at Dawsons Spring and plenty of walking tracks along the way.
Governor Summit (Corrunbral Borawah) Walking Track
For a rewarding walk with brebreathtakingenic views across the dramatic volcanic landscape, try Governor Summit walking track, also known as Corrunbral Borawah. It’s a great track for experienced walkers and birdwatching.
The walking track follows an easy sealed boardwalk to Governors lookout, where you can bask in the superb scenic mountain views. The second half of the track, though, will definitely get your heart racing. Ascending steeply via ladders, you’ll have to do some rock scrambling, but it’s all worth the effort.
From the unfenced summit, you can take in the magnificent 360-degree panorama across Nundewah Ranges and Euglah Rock. Raptors such as wedge-tailed eagles are often seen circling on the updrafts and clear autumn days are ideal for unending scenic views.
Scutts Hut Trail
Several pioneering families lived in the Mount Kaputar area in extremely harsh conditions. Stockmen looked after sheep and cattle on the Kaputar Plateau, often going for months without seeing another person. Enjoy a walk to the historic Scutts Hut to experience the pioneers' harsh lifestyle.
Discover the rugged landscape of Mount Kaputar National Park on your mountain bike on the beautiful Scutts Hut trail. The 20km trail winds its way along a ridge between two creeks, through magnificent bushland with amazing views. It makes a great day ride, and while you’re cycling, keep an eye out for the abundant birdlife, kangaroos and other local wildlife.
Before heading back, hop off your bike and walk down the track to check out historic Scutts Hut to see how pioneers lived in Mount Kaputar in the 1940s and 1950s.
The Scutt family lived in the hut in the 1940s and 50s, and it has been carefully restored to its original condition. Most of the materials to build the hut and furniture were brought in by horse - even the rainwater tank.
Mill-bullah Walking Track
From here, you can explore the nooks and crannies of the ancient formation. Mill-bullah walking track offers a good introduction, finishing at the beautiful Mill-bullah waterholes. 'Mill-bullah' means 'two eyes', and nearly anybody can see them on this medium-grade path along a shady creek.
Start your walk near the information shelter, which provides a fascinating insight into the box-cypress forest and dry rainforest of the area. The track from here is 500m long, so it’s suitable for most visitors.
Waa Gorge Walking Track
Following on from Mill-bullah walking track, the Waa Gorge walking track is picturesque and suitable for more intrepid hikers through the Grattai Wilderness Area. This track is unformed, so be prepared for a bit of a challenge as you climb a small hill on the left side of the Mill-bullah waterholes and down the other side to follow the creek into the gorge.
The walls of the gorge are spectacularly colourful, and the cool shelter offers a nice picnic spot amid the dramatic setting of the NSW Western Plains. In spring, you’ll find a myriad of wildflowers here, and the gorge is also studded with fig trees.
Sawn Rocks Picnic Area
Visit Sawn Rocks to see one of Australia's best examples of a spectacular rock formation called organ-piping - it really does look like a wall of giant organ pipes.
Set in native woodland overlooking the peaceful farmland and craggy mountains of North West NSW, Sawn Rocks picnic area is an idyllic picnic spot with free gas barbecues and shaded picnic tables.
West Kaputar Lookout
For scenic mountain views across the wilderness of Mount Kaputar National Park, enjoy West Kaputar lookout on a scenic car tour. It’s a no-fuss stopover on a scenic driving tour and easily accessible for all the family.
From the lookout, feast your eyes upon the grandeur of the imposing basalt face of West Kaputar rock formation. Gaze across the fertile valleys below and the rolling slopes of Upper Bullawa Creek. To the north, you’ll see the distinctive angular peaks of Nandewar and Grattai wilderness areas.
A great lookout any time of year; it’s a welcome escape from the summer heat and in winter the surrounding slopes are often cloaked in mist.