The crunching of twigs underfoot, the sound of a nearby babbling brook and the sight of trees all around you — bushwalks are some of the best ways to reconnect with your senses and ground you in the present. And, with regional travel in NSW now back on, we can finally embark on them.
So, if you live in, or are heading to, NSW and are keen to get your legs going and your heart pumping, read on for four of our favourite day walks, each conveniently close to campgrounds or cabins, if you’re keen to turn your day trip into an overnight. Also, always be sure to check the NPWS website for alerts and closures before visiting a park.
Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk
Warrumbungle National Park, 14.5km loop, 5 – 6 hours
Featuring one of the most iconic natural sights in NSW, the Warrumbungle Mountains, this challenging walk ascends their rugged, volcanic peaks to the Grand High Tops summit, rewarding you with jaw-dropping, panoramic views.
Campsite Camp Blackman is just a five minutes’ drive from the track’s start point and offers spacious spots to pitch your tent, as well as hot showers and BBQs. This national park is also a Dark Sky Park (spaces that have exceptional starry nights and nocturnal environments), so, once night falls, be sure to turn off your torches and lanterns for unforgettable stargazing.
Pigeon House Mountain Didthul walking track
Morton National Park, 5km return, 3.5 hours
This popular mountain hike, near Ulladulla, takes you through forest and heathland before a series of vertical steps and ladders leads up to the summit, offering sprawling views out over the cliffs and gorges of the Budawang wilderness.
You’ll find Blue Gum Flat campground an easy 20 minutes’ drive from the carpark along an unsealed dirt road. This remote and beautiful riverside campsite is quite basic, so remember to come prepared and BYO all supplies, including drinking water.
Dead Horse Gap and Thredbo River track
Kosciuszko National Park, 10km loop, 5 hours
Tackle two popular Snowy Mountains tracks for a day of alpine walking at its finest. At almost 600m elevation, Dead Horse Gap track has showstopping views of Ramshead Range, Crackenback Mountain and Thredbo Valley. Once it joins up with the Thredbo River track, you’ll see snow gums, granite boulders, sub-alpine wildflowers and, if you’re lucky, even trout and platypus in the flowing river. A short drive away, Creel Bay Cottages provide some alpine luxury after a day of exploring, with beautiful views across Lake Jindabyne.
Lyrebird walking track and Wrights lookout walking track
New England National Park, 8.9 km circuit, 3.5 – 4.5 hours
This day walk starts right from the front door of rainforest cabin The Residence, which sleeps 10 so you can invite the whole crew along. The Lyrebird track meanders through a range of incredible Gondwana Rainforest environments including eucalypt forest, lush ferns, moss and waterfalls, with the track’s namesake, the lyrebird, heard echoing in the valleys.
This trail links up with Wrights lookout track which leads out to a spectacular rocky plateau. The best bit? At the end of a big day, you can walk straight back to your cabin and kick back around The Residence’s outdoor firepit.
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