Warrumbungle National Park

The Warrumbungles are what remains of a shield volcano active around fifteen million years ago, worn down until only the hardest plugs and dykes stand: spires, domes and the Breadknife, a blade of rock ninety metres high and only a few metres thick. The Grand High Tops walk, about fourteen kilometres, climbs past it to a ridge with views over the whole formation and is one of the best-known day walks in inland Australia. In 2016 the park was declared Australia's first Dark Sky Park, and the Siding Spring Observatory on its edge, home to the country's largest optical telescope, has a visitor centre. Wildlife includes kangaroos, emus and koalas.

What you actually see

• The Breadknife - the thin blade of rock on the Grand High Tops walk.
• The volcanic spires - Belougery Spire, Crater Bluff and the eroded plugs.
• The dark sky - some of the clearest night skies accessible in Australia.
• Siding Spring Observatory - the research telescopes and visitor centre nearby.

When to go

March to November for walking; summer is very hot on exposed rock and fire closures occur. Winter nights are cold but give the clearest skies. The park burned severely in 2013 and the vegetation is still recovering in places.

Honest expectations

The Grand High Tops is a full day of steep walking with sun exposure and no water on route. Camping and vehicle entry are charged and campsites book out in holidays. Observatory access is limited to the visitor centre, not the telescopes themselves.

Nearby

Coonabarabran is the base town; Mount Kaputar lies north near Narrabri.