Canyon picnic area is in the central precinct of Warrumbungle National Park. To get there:

• Travel along John Renshaw Parkway from Coonabarabran
• Upon entering the park, take the turn-off to the visitor centre
• Continue along the road to Canyon picnic area

Road quality

• Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

• 2WD vehicles

Parking

Parking is available at the Canyon picnic area.

You may experience a great range of temperatures on any day in the park. In summer it's generally hot in the daytime and temperatures often exceed 30C. In contrast, winter can be very cold and the temperature drops below freezing at night. Rainfall is also highly variable, ranging from drought to prolonged wet periods. Less rain falls on the western side of the park than on the eastern side. It rains most from December to February and the annual average rainfall is 720mm. Thunderstorms are common in mid to late summer.

Spring

During early spring wildflowers are in bloom, including a huge variety of golden wattle flowers With a more moderate climate, spring is a great time to get out and camp under the stars .

Toilets

• Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

• Gas/electric barbecues (free)

• Canyon picnic area factsheet
• Canyon picnic area map (4.4MB pdf)

Disability access level - easy

This area is fully wheelchair accessible. 

• Tara Cave walking track Tara Cave walking track is a gentle 3.4km return bushwalk through Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran. Learn about local Aboriginal culture and experience remarkable views.

• Burbie Canyon walking track Burbie Canyon walking track in Warrumbungle National Park offers a gentle 2km stroll through a sandstone gorge, and is particularly popular for birdwatching.
• Walk on the wild side at the Warrumbungles Join an experienced National Parks guide and explore the beauty of Warrumbungle National Park. This tour is designed to bring your senses alive as you explore the sights, sounds and smells of this beautiful area.
• Whitegum lookout walking track Whitegum lookout walking track is a short, wheelchair-accessible walk in Warrumbungle National Park. Suitable for all ages, it offers remarkable views.

• Bluff Mountain walking track Bluff Mountain walking track rewards experienced, fit bushwalkers with Warrumbungle National Park’s best views. This very long and challenging steep hike climbs past spectacular rock spires and domes—up to the summit of Bluff Mountain.
• Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk in Warrumbungle National Park, regarded as one of the best walks in NSW, offers close up views of the park’s iconic rock formations.
• Burbie Canyon walking track Burbie Canyon walking track in Warrumbungle National Park offers a gentle 2km stroll through a sandstone gorge, and is particularly popular for birdwatching.
• Coonabarabran - Baradine - Warrumbungle drive Explore the spectacular landscapes, historic towns, picnic spots and walks of the Warrumbungles and Pilliga, near Coonabarabran and Baradine, in NSW.
• Coonabarabran - Warrumbungle - Tooraweenah drive Coonabarabran – Warrumbungle – Tooraweenah drive offers car touring through scenic mountain views with picnicking, walking, and wheelchair accessible facilities in Warrumbungle National Park.
• Explore the Dark Sky These school holidays, experience the wonders of the night sky at Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran. It's Australia’s first officially accredited Dark Sky Park.
• Goulds Circuit walking track Goulds Circuit walking track is a wonderful way for day trippers and overnight campers to capture sweeping views of Warrumbungle National Park’s volcanic features.
• Warrumbungles 4-day guided adventure Experience the rugged volcanic landscape of the Warrumbungles with Take Shape Adventures. You’ll see iconic rock formations and celestial light shows on this 4-day guided adventure in Warrumbungle National Park.
• Whitegum lookout walking track Whitegum lookout walking track is a short, wheelchair-accessible walk in Warrumbungle National Park. Suitable for all ages, it offers remarkable views.

• Canyon picnic area Canyon picnic area is a fully accessible, family friendly picnic area in Warrumbungle National Park. Not far from the visitor centre, it features barbecues and tables.
• Warrumbungle Visitor Centre Visitor information is available at the Warrumbungle Visitor Centre, which is now back in its original location. Get great suggestions and tips for walking and camping in Warrumbungle National Park.
• Whitegum lookout Whitegum lookout in Warrumbungle National Park features spectacular views of the landscape and picnic tables. It is wheelchair accessible and an easy walk for children.

Animals

• 

  Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)

  With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.

• 

  Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)

  The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.

• 

  Southern boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

  The southern boobook, also known as the mopoke, is the smallest and most common native owl in Australia. With a musical 'boo-book' call that echoes through forests and woodlands, the southern boobook is a great one to look out for while bird watching.

• 

  Tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)

  Found throughout Australia, the tawny frogmouth is often mistaken for an owl due to its wide, powerful beak, large head and nocturnal hunting habits. The ‘oom oom oom’ call of this native bird can be heard echoing throughout a range of habitats including heath, woodlands and urban areas.

• 

  Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

  Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.