Warrumbungle National Park

Warrumbungle National Park is a protected national park in central New South Wales, Australia, noted for its volcanic rock formations and rugged bushland. The park preserves a dramatic landscape of eroded volcanic plugs, spires and ridgelines formed by ancient volcanic activity.

Hiking, rock scrambling and scenic drives are principal visitor activities, with trails leading to lookout points and geological features such as the narrow volcanic dyke known as the Breadknife and other impressive rock remnants. The park is also renowned for its dark night skies and stargazing opportunities.

The park was set aside for conservation and public recreation and contains walking tracks, designated campgrounds and lookouts that showcase the volcanic landforms. Management focuses on protecting native vegetation and geological features while supporting low-impact recreation.

Warrumbungle National Park lies in central northern New South Wales, inland from the coastal plains, with the nearest service town commonly used as a base being Coonabarabran. The park occupies a rugged section of the Great Dividing Range and is accessible by sealed and unsealed roads.

• Dark Sky designation: Designated Australia's first International Dark Sky Park in 2016, making it a prime destination for night-sky viewing and astrophotography.

What to See #

• The Breadknife: The Breadknife - a narrow volcanic dyke and one of the park's most recognisable rock features, rising prominently above surrounding ridges.
• Volcanic formations: Belougery Split Rock and other volcanic remnants - large rocky outcrops and spires formed by ancient volcanic activity that are popular with hikers and climbers.