Warrumbungles 2 x Grade 4 Overnight Hikes, Car camp and Day walks CAPPED AT 8

Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran in NSW is Australia’s first Dark Sky Park, making it the perfect spot for stargazing, amateur astronomy and camping under the starriest of skies.

The Breadknife, easily the most recognisable feature within the park, towers 90m above the valley floor and is a symbol of the park’s enduring importance and resilience. The Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk is recognised as one of the best walks in NSW, with close up views of the park's iconic rock formations.

Whether you’re into camping, walking, birdwatching or astronomy, the park's big sky, amazing light and dramatic rock formations make it an outstanding place for amateur and professional photographers.

Trip Leader: Sharon Roberts

Co-leader: Liz Freeman

Cost on booking for tent camping - 4 nights at Camp Blackman (2 people and 1 car per site); 1 night Balor remote campground; 1 night Burbie remote campground. 6 nights at $58.35 per person. Payment required to secure your place. I WILL CONTACT YOU WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF BOOKING TO EXPLAIN PAYMENT DETAILS

NPWS website says 75% refund less booking fee more than 30 days before trip start; 50% refund less booking fee after that.  However, because I've paid the money up front as a group booking I don't think Parks will give a partial refund. So, the only way to get a refund will be if someone else takes your spot and refunds you!

This event will be a mix of car camping, day walks and 2 overnight Grade 4 hikes. If you have not done a Grade 3 overnight hike with the club before to qualify for joining this Grade 4 event or are not equipped or ready for this level of difficulty, Iris is running another event at the same time with easier day walks. This event is perfect if you have a partner who would prefer to do the easier walks. We will all be camping together at the start of the weekend, and both groups will be doing the easier day hikes together.

Here is a rough outline of the program, which may need slight alteration depending on weather and the best clear night sky for the Observatory visit. See milroyobservatory.com for price and details. 

Fri 29 May: Arrive Camp Blackman after 2pm

Sat 30 May: Grade 2/3 day walks. Milroy Observatory evening visit? Siding Springs day tour?

Sun 31 May: Grade 2/3 day walks. Milroy Observatory evening visit? Siding Springs day tour?

Mon 1 Jun: Drive to Pincham car park. Day 1 of Breadknife Loop. Camp at Balor Hut in tents (rainwater tank). Set up tents, overnight gear, take day pack and hike to Grand Tops Lookout, then back to camp at Balor Hut.

Tue 2 Jun: (Option to do a sunrise walk to Grand High Tops Lookout). Hike to Dows campground. Drop pack. Day pack to Bluff Mountain Lookout. Back to Dows and collect pack. Continue to Ogma campground and go along Grand Hightops walk to cars. Car camp at Blackman.

Total for 2 days is 15km plus the extra bits.

Wed 3 Jun: Burbie Canyon Track. Fill and filter water at Burbie campground spring. Set up tents, leave overnight gear and take day pack. Hike up to Exmouth Lookout and return to camp at Burbie campground via Cathedral Arch. (Car - Exmouth Lookout is 17km return)

Thu 4 Jun: Return from Burbie campground to car.  Morning tea then either head home or:

Optional Extra Night Drive to Wellington 2.5hours. Shop and restock for weekend if you are registering for the Weddin Mountains car camp or just don't want to drive all the way home in one day. We will be staying at the Wellington caves. Make your own booking at wellingtoncaves.com.au options for powered and unpowered sites or units. Check in and explore (Japanese Garden & Fossil Trail)  *** 3 of us have already booked a cabin to share - If anyone else wants to share a night with a bit more luxury to get organised for the return journey or the Weddin Mountains event, speak with Sharon or Iris ***

Fri 5 Jun: Explore what you didn't explore the day before; Wellington Caves multiple tours (at your own cost) finishing at 1.30pm. 2pm drive home or to Weddin Mountains National Park if you're booked on this weekend event.

GRADE 4

Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited. 

Bushwalk - Multi Day hike - What to bring

• Up-to-date ICE (In Case of Emergency) form - ICE Form
• Car Camping Gear
• Remote Camping Gear
• Overnight backpack
• Day pack or use your overnight backpack as a daypack

• Tent (sharing sections of the tent is an option)
• Sleeping Bag and Liner
• Mattress and Pillow 
• Thermals - top and bottom
• Second layer - top and bottom
• Extra hiking clothes
• Socks - inner socks are recommended with wool socks over the top
• Warm Gloves and beanie 
• Water tight bag to keep clothing dry - zip lock - dry bags etc.. 
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Down jacket
• Fleece jacket
• Camp shoes (Crocs)
• Warm Gloves and Waterproof Over Glove plus a Beanie or suitable walking hat.
• Toothbrush and paste
• Medication (please inform leader of any medical conditions etc). 
• Personal first aid kit.  For prevention of blisters, packing a blister kit, hiking wool, tape etc can be a life saver.
• Water to drink (2lt per day) and extra to prepare meals (some locations and walks have water on-site or en-route). Leaders should inform the group re: water supply
• Water purification tablets or device (be safe rather than get a bug)
• Poo pot, wag bag or poo tube (to remove poo), toilet paper, trowel and sanitiser 
• Food - Dehydrated is best for weight considerations
  • 3 Meals , plus snacks.  per day.  
• Stove (this may be shared between members). Pot for cooking
• Plate, cutlery and cup
• Optional Items
  • Fully charged and credit loaded phone
  • Camera
  • Small re-charging device 
• The leader must take a rescue beacon
  • The club has 1 Personal Locator Beacon, 1 emergency SPOT device and 1 Inreach device