National trail: Crown Creek fire trail
Gardens of Stone National Park
Overview
For horseriding or mountain-biking, take Crown Creek fire trail. This iconic part of the east coast's National trail reveals staggering scenic views and a feeling of complete freedom.
- Distance
- 8.2km one-way
- Time suggested
- 5hrs
- Grade
- Medium
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- You will need to bring all provisions for your ride and any camping on National trail: Crown Creek fire trail.
- Horse riders and cyclists must give way to all walkers. Cyclists must give way to horse riders. Read the code of practice for horse riding.
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch.
- This park is in a remote location, so please make sure you’re well-prepared, bring appropriate clothing and equipment and advise a family member or friend of your travel plans.
Visitors to Gardens of Stone National Park can ride or bike the Crown Creek fire trail, a section of the iconic National trail, which stretches for 5,330km along the Great Dividing Range of eastern Australia from Cooktown in Queensland to Healesville, near Melbourne.
The trail allows you the total freedom of riding through this unspoilt and dramatic country as well as a sense of the pioneering spirit of the horse riders of old. Taking in the jaw-dropping views and beautiful rock pagodas on horseback or from your bike is not to be missed for wilderness adventurers.
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to ride the trail, and you must be self-reliant in the bush.
Map
Map legend
Map
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/horse-riding-trails/national-trail-crown-creek-fire-trail/local-alerts
Park info
- in Gardens of Stone National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Gardens of Stone National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about National trail: Crown Creek fire trail.
Getting there and parking
From Lithgow:
- Head west along the Great Western Highway
- Turn off at Marrangaroo onto the Castlereagh Highway
- Take Wolgan Road at Lidsdale
- Continue past Angus Place until you reach Blackfellows hand trail/road
- Park opposite and the unmarked trail heading west is on this side
Parking
Parking is available near Blackfellows Hand trail
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Gardens of Stone National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
Experience the wonder of the spring bird migrations and enjoy the flowering season for many of the plant species of the park.
Summer
Though you need to be prepared for hot weather, this can be a great time to explore the pagodas as deep shade falls between them and in the canyons, making for dramatic photographs.
Winter
The light in the mountains is beautiful in winter. Take crystal clear scenic photos from your vantage point on the cliff tops or just marvel at how far you can see from up here.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
8°C and 25°C
Winter temperature
Average
0°C and 9°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
April
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
135mm
Facilities
You are encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
National trail: Crown Creek fire trail is in Gardens of Stone National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
An adventurer's haven
If it's not enough to view the splendour of the park from your car or the picnic area, perhaps canyoning, mountain-biking National trail: Crown Creek fire trail, or climbing Pantoneys Crown or Donkey Mountain are more your style. Come well prepared into this remote and sometimes challenging country, or join one of the private tour companies that bring groups into the park.
- The Newnes Plateau Cliffs For self-reliant walkers, climbers and mountain bikers, Newnes Plateau is a wonderland of challenging experiences and awe-inspiring views.
Astonishing rock formations
The geological evolution of this park has produced Triassic Narrabeen sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, grand mesas and the beautiful, yet often strangely delicate, pagodas. These pagodas are formed by wind and rain shaping the Banks Wall and Burramoko sandstone layers that spread right across the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Property, and they range from quite small to over 60 metres in height. They are amazingly beautiful against the blue mountain sky.
- Baal Bone Gap picnic area Visit the jewel in the crown of Gardens of Stone and marvel at the magnificent rock pagodas, sheer cliffs and endless scenic views of Baal Bone Gap.
- National trail: Crown Creek fire trail For horseriding or mountain-biking, take Crown Creek fire trail. This iconic part of the east coast's National trail reveals staggering scenic views and a feeling of complete freedom.
- The Newnes Plateau Cliffs For self-reliant walkers, climbers and mountain bikers, Newnes Plateau is a wonderland of challenging experiences and awe-inspiring views.
Incredible biodiversity
Gardens of Stone National Park is part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Property. The Greater Blue Mountains was named a World Heritage Area for its astonishing biodiversity. It contains almost 100 species (or 13%) of eucalypts in the world. This is because of the great diversity of habitats and landscapes in the region. Plateaus, heaths, flat valley floors with varying exposures and fire histories produce the incredible range of plantlife growing in the park.
World-class bird watching
The diversity of the park supports a wonderful array of birdlife - this is an internationally-recognised bird watching area. You may see such threatened birds as the regent honeyeater, swift parrot, spotted harrier, square-tailed kite, turquoise parrot, lyrebird, and many more. Spring and autumn are the times to see the migrations across the sky. Walkers may also come across rare broad-headed snakes, Lesueur's gecko, heath monitors, brown antechinus, bush rats and occasional quolls. Brush-tailed rock wallabies can be seen along the caves and ledges, and the upland swamps in the eastern part of the park are home to giant dragonflies.