The main section of Mount Kaputar National Park is 53km east of Narrabri. Its road rises from an altitude of 200m in Narrabri to 1510m at the summit of Mount Kaputar providing spectacular views of the volcanic Nandewar Range.
A kangaroo at Bark Hut camping area
A track leads to Euglah Rock Lookout
Further up the mountain is a lookout over the northern section of the park where we visited the previous day.
A kookaburra greets us.
A track leads to the the summit of a rock formation known as The Governor.
A spotted pardalote adds colour to the day.
The track is a mix of gravel tracks, timber ramps, metal steps and rock scrambling.
Buff-rumped thornbills are busy on the forest floor despite the cold.
We descend down steps only to climb two more sets.
The view south from the top of The Governor
The author with the view west (above) and at the highest point (below)
The ridgeline leading to Mount Kaputar
The way back
Eastern spinebill in the montane heath
Grey Thrush
We arrive at Dawson’s Spring for lunch 1428m above sea level. The day has warmed to 7 degrees.
Kangaroos are warming up in the sunshine…
..although one is doing its best impression of a dog….
…and some are not worried about the cold at all.
Fine delicate scribbly gum moth larvae trails on local gums – probably the magnificent Eucalyptus rossii.
We start out on the Bundabulla trail where we find frost at 2pm that hasn’t thawed.
The track to Eckfords Lookout
Eckfords Lookout on the southern end of the plateau.
The view from Mount Kaputar summit. Apparently you can see 10% of New South Wales in the 360 degree view from the summit. The Warrumbungles are just visible 150km away.
The view south from Doug Sky Lookout.
The outside edge of the Yullundinna Crater rock formation
The road is very narrow in places with barely enough room to pass – one side drops for hundreds of metres. Luckily there are few cars on the road.
A white cedar against a classic winter sky.
The road into Narrabri
Looking back at the ranges.
Sheep playing “King of the Castle”
This dancing lamb practising to be a Baa-llerina.
Farming can be tough.
Birdlife was prolific late in the day – some galahs by the roadside.
Sulphur-crested cockatoos and red-rumped parrots share the last of the sunshine.
Blue bonnet parrot in a poplar box.
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