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New England NSW - ArmidaleQuick Links: Track Notes - Hazards - Low Impact BushwalkingBushwalking in Cathedral Rocks National ParkRemember you take personal responsibility for the use of any information on this website. Cathedral Rocks is a diverse national park, with high peaks made of granite rocks up to 1585 m in height with Round Mountain the highest peak in the New England area. It is 8 839 ha in size. The soil, rocks and climate helps to create an array of interesting wildflowers and plants, especially heaths and wetland areas, which in turn help support a rich variety of fauna. It occasionally snows here, with snow grass and snow gums evident in the highest areas and the aptly named 'Snowy Range'. running through the park. It has creeks and rivers which are feeders to the Macleay and the mighty Clarence River systems. AccessIt is approximately 1 hour or 80 km from Armidale and 50 mins 70 km from Dorrigo. It has 2 campsites, Barrokee on the southern side of the park, with access from the Waterfall Way about 5 km north after the New England NP turnoff, then Round Mountain Rd, (8km).This is a beautiful campground amongst banksias and casuarinas. There are picnic tables, BBQ's and toilets. Water is available from the nearby creek, however it can run dry at times, so it is better to take in your own supply. Be careful to keep your food supply locked up as there are some very cheeky possums about. The other camping area around to the north and which is better suited to larger vehicles such as caravans is Native Dog Creek Rest Area off the Guyra/Ebor Rd, (Turn left at the T-intersection 5 km east of Ebor and travel to the turnoff on the left which is approx 10 km). This road is now tarred all the way. Both campsites are quite high in elevation, 1385 m and 1255 m respectively, so good clothing and equipment should be worn and carried in the cooler months. Track NotesFrom Barokee Rest Area 1. Cathedral Rock Track - 5.8 km return 2. Barokee Rest Area - Snowy Range - Woolpack Rocks - Barokee Rest Area - 15 km return 3. Barokee Rest Area - Woolpack Rocks - Native Dog Creek - 12 km one way From Native Dog Creek Rest Area 4. Warrigal Track - 1 km circuit 5. Native Dog Creek - Woolpack Rocks - Native Dog Creek - 7.4 km return 6. Native Dog Creek - Woolpack Rocks - Snowy Range - Barokee Rest Area - 12 km one way 1. Cathedral Rock Track - 5.8 km return Rating - Medium This track begins adjacent to the day carpark. It traverses through a small wetland, (wallabies and kangaroos are often seen through here), before reaching a signpost indicating a track off to the right. Keep going straight ahead as it is easier to do this walk in a clockwise direction. This signpost is where you will come out when you finish. The track winds around around through some gullies before starting to climb upward. Many interesting wildflowers can now be seen next to the track. Upon reaching a saddle you will notice a detour to Cathedral Rock itself which is another 400 m climb up. The last 200 m or so is a bit of a scramble with a metal chain to assist walkers up the last 20 m. (Take care with older and young walkers, especially if the rocks are wet, and ensure all people in your party have suitable gripping shoes on). There are magnificent 360 degree views from the top, and even a colloquially known 'throne' of granite from which to enjoy the views. Retrace your steps back to the saddle. Continue on the track which veers to the right and follow all the way down until you join the original signpost on the track mentioned above. From here it is a short walk back to the carpark.
Sitting on 'the Throne', at the top of Cathedral Rock 2. Barokee Rest Area - Snowy Range - Woolpack Rocks - Barokee Rest Area - 15 km return Rating - Medium to hard Start this walk and continue until the saddle is reached as in the Cathedral Rock Track above. Instead of turning to the right to go up to Cathedral Rock, continue on the track in front. Instead of of veering to the right which would take you back to the carpark, veer around to the left track which heads in a generally north direction and goes through beautiful banksia trees and up to the top of the Snowy Range. From the top you can observe the radar station on top of Round Mountain. Once the top is reached a descent begins through beautiful rock tors until you reach another saddle and a track junction Take the left hand track, which leads up a short steep ascent up to Woolpack Rocks. These are a unique group of rocks, with other fantastic rock patterns all around. Apart from the great views (some extend down to Guy Fawkes River National Park), there are many interesting plants, lizards and insects to be found in all the nooks and crannies. 3. Barokee Rest Area - Woolpack Rocks - Native Dog Creek - 12 km one way Rating - Medium to hard This is the same walk as number 2, above, with the addition of the section from the turnoff to Woolpack Rocks back to the Native Dog Rest Area. This interesting extension follows a sheltered Native Dog Creek gully downhill, through several wetland areas to the Rest Area. I have completed this walk in 3 different ways:
4. Warrigal Track - 1 km circuit Rating - Easy This is a short easy circuit track, well signposted, which passes over Native Dog Creek twice, through woodland and granite boulders. Suitable for families with young children. 5. Native Dog Creek - Woolpack Rocks - Native Dog Creek - 7.4 km return Rating - medium This beautiful walk starts out by crossing Native Dog Creek and some lovely associated wetland areas, then passes through an interesting woodland area. After about a kilometre and a half or so, another more exposed wetland is reached, before the track starts to ascend and eventually follow Native Dog Creek up its own gully. At one point the track crosses the creek and leaves it to continue up, to the track junction with turns left to go to Barokee Rest Area. Instead of turning left, go straight ahead up to Woolpack Rocks for another kilometre. Towards the top of the rocks are some wooden ladders to make it easier to climb up. Woolpack Rocks is directly to the north of you, so named because of their similarity to square-shaped wool bales. The rocks are worth exploring not only for their views, but also because of the interesting plant and animal life, which live between the rocks.
Some of the beautiful wildflowers that live in the park. From left to right, 6. Native Dog Creek - Woolpack Rocks - Snowy Range - Barokee Rest Area - 12 km Rating - Medium to hard Before embarking on this walk you need to read the notes in Walk No. 3 above. This walk is a reversal of the Barokee Rest Area - Woolpack Rocks - Native Dog Creek - 12 km one way walk. The track going in this direction is steeper overall than going from Barokee to Native Dog Rest Area.
Hazards• Most of the roads in the national parks and Styx River State Forest are dirt. Modify your speed to suit the road conditions. After heavy rain, roads can be slippery, so take care! On the way out to Long Point there is a small causeway that can flash flood. There are several foot bridges over creeks and rivers. Do not cross if water is over the bridge. • Check the condition of the gates on the way out to Long Point. Always leave gates the same way as you find them. • Take extreme care when crossing creeks or around waterfalls after heavy rain. • Take care with fallen trees on the road, especially during strong winds or storms. Trees can fall and block the road for short periods of time. • Take care not to collide with animals especially between dusk and early morning. There are large numbers of kangaroos and wallabies in the parks. You will also encounter the occasional tortoise, echidna and dragon lizards. • Most of the New England plateau is +1000m. Hypothermia (the body loses its ability to keep warm) is caused from wet/windy/cold conditions. In the cooler months make sure you carry sensible clothing on day walks, especially for children or very thin people. Take woollen or thermal clothing, including hats and gloves, and wind/waterproof jackets. Avoid heavy cotton garments like jeans and sloppy joes which do not keep the body warm when wet. Nights in winter often fall below zero and very occasionally it snows. Make sure you have enough warm clothes and appropriate camping equipment. • Sunburn in the warmer months is one of the major hazards of walking in this area. Wear sunglasses, long sleeves and pants, hat and 30+ sunscreen liberally applied. This will also protect against any prickly shrubs or grasses. • Wear supportive shoes/boots.Tracks can be slippery. Some of the walks are very close to cliffs, deep gorges and high drop-offs near waterfalls, some without fencing. Take particular care with children. • Focus on where you place your feet and hands. Snakes are common around wet areas and long grass. You may want to consider wearing gaiters if you are doing off track walks. • Carry at least 2 litres of water per person, especially in summer. •Take great care with fire in summer. Use a fuel stove or gas BBQ's provided in picnic grounds. If in an area where open fires are permitted, keep them small and use any fireplaces provided. Always extinguish fires before going to bed or leaving the area. Watch for flying embers in windy weather.
Low Impact and Responsible Bushwalking
© 2006 - Sharon Fulcher - WalksAustralia.com |
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