Warrumbungle National Park is a heritage-listed national park in the Orana region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located about 550 kilometers (340 miles) northwest of Sydney and covers an area of 23,311 hectares (57,600 acres). The park receives about 35,000 visitors each year.
The park is named after the Warrumbungle Mountain Range, which is sometimes called the Warrumbungles. This name is often used in the plural form. The park is located within the Pilliga Important Bird Area, a region recognized by BirdLife International for its importance in supporting many woodland bird species, several of which are in danger of disappearing.
Warrumbungle National Park was added to the Australian National Heritage List in December 2006. On July 4, 2016, it became the first park in Australia to be certified as a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association.
Access
The nearest towns to the park are Baradine, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Gulargambone, and Tooraweenah. To reach the park from the east through Coonabarabran, travelers use a 27-kilometer (17-mile) paved road named the John Renshaw Parkway, which was built in 1966. From the west through Coonamble, access is via a 57-kilometer (35-mile) road that includes some gravel sections.
The park is located within three local government areas: Warrumbungle Shire to the east, Gilgandra Shire to the south, and Coonamble Shire to the west.
Features
The park is located in the temperate grasslands area and includes the most impressive part of the Warrumbungle Mountains, a region shaped by past volcanic activity with unique lava formations. Notable rock formations in the area include Belougery Spire, Bluff Mountain, Mount Exmouth (the tallest mountain in the park), The Breadknife, Split Rock, Fans Horizon, and Crater Bluff.
The park offers many scenic walking trails, and rock climbing and abseiling are popular activities. Although the park once protected koala habitats, a major fire in 2013 greatly reduced the koala population; it is believed no koalas survived.
Next to the national park is the Siding Spring Observatory, which opened officially in 1965. It was built on the edge of the park because the area has no light pollution, making it ideal for astronomy. The observatory includes several important telescopes and plays a significant role in supporting the local Coonabarabran community economically.
Facilities
There are four campsites where you can park your car and many campsites where you must walk to reach them. Camping is only allowed in the park if you have a permit. You must get a permit before you can camp. A visitor center helps with booking campsites and arranging access to hut and gated camping areas. The park also has space for large groups, such as schools or clubs. Electric barbecues are free to use, but firewood is not provided or allowed to be gathered in the park.
History
In 1936, the National Parks and Primitive Areas Council first proposed protecting the scenic areas of the Warrumbungle Range as the Warrumbungle National Monument. The area was officially designated as a reserve in 1953. In 1967, management of the park was handed over to the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. The first ranger, Carl Dow, led the effort to build a network of walking trails by hand. In December 2006, the park was added to the National Heritage list because it contains rare and dramatic volcanic landforms that are unique in Australia; it serves as a transition area between dry western regions and wetter coastal areas; and it is an important habitat for wildlife in inland south-east Australia.
2013 bushfire
In January 2013, about 80% of the national park was destroyed by a fire (believed to have been caused by lightning). The fire also damaged areas near the park and destroyed many homes. The visitor center, museum, railings, and viewing platforms inside the park were destroyed. The park was closed after the fire but has since reopened following extensive repair work.
In popular culture
The national park was used as a filming location for a music video from 1983. The song is called "Let's Dance" by David Bowie. The video focuses on a place called The Breadknife. The Japanese anime "Adventures of the Little Koala" is set near The Breadknife.