Sandstone Caves walking track
Pilliga National Park
Overview
Take a self-guided tour along the Sandstone Caves walking track to see ancient Aboriginal rock art. For more of an insight into Aboriginal history, book a guided tour.
- Where
- Pilliga National Park
- Distance
- 1.7km loop
- Time suggested
- 1hr - 1hr 30min
- Grade
- Grade 3
- Price
- Free
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- This is a special place for the Gamilaroi people – please be respectful when visiting this site and refrain from touching the rock art and engravings. Photography is permitted, however visitors are requested not to use flash photography.
- You can book a guided tour at Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre in Baradine.
- It’s a good idea to check road conditions before setting out – contact Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre for up to date information.
Walk in the footsteps of the Gamilaroi people along the short Sandstone Caves walking track in Pilliga Nature Reserve. You’ll pass through scenic forest to the impressive sandstone hills, with some containing ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. Take some time to read over the interpretive signage for more of an insight into this special place.
You can take a self-guided walk, however this unique place is best experienced on a guided tour with an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger. You can book your tour at Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre in Baradine.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/sandstone-caves-walking-track/local-alerts
Park info
- in Pilliga National Park in the Country NSW region
Pilliga Forest is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
- Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre
(02) 6843 4011
(02) 6843 1370 After hours emergency
Contact hours: Open daily, 9am-4pm. (Closed Christmas Day) - 50-58 Wellington St, Baradine NSW
- Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Sandstone Caves walking track.
Track grading
Grade 3
Learn more about the grading system Features of this track-
Time
1hr - 1hr 30min
-
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
-
Gradient
Gentle hills
-
Distance
1.7km loop
-
Steps
Many steps
-
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles
-
Experience required
No experience required
Getting there and parking
Directions can be obtained by visiting or contacting Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre. The walk is not signposted as requested by the Aboriginal Elders.
Parking
Parking is available at the start of Sandstone Caves walking track.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
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 40C. In winter nights can be very cold, but you can enjoy clear sunny days. Rainfall is also highly variable, ranging from drought to prolonged wet periods, with the average annual rainfall around 600mm. Creeks may quickly become impassable after heavy rain.
Summer temperature
Average
15°C and 35°C
Highest recorded
45°C
Winter temperature
Average
2°C and 21°C
Lowest recorded
-6.1°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
January
Driest month
June to September
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 OEH pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Visitor centre
-
Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre
50-58 Wellington Street, Baradine NSW - Open daily, 9am-4pm (Closed Christmas day)
- (02) 6843 4011
Learn more
Sandstone Caves walking track is in Pilliga National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A bird watcher’s paradise
Pilliga Forest is a mixture of eastern and western climates, making it very attractive to birds – more than 230 species have been recorded. You’re bound to see some of that range during your time at the park, and if you keep a close eye out and bring some binoculars, you’re definitely see even more. Pilliga is one of the few places left in NSW where you can catch sight of the grey-crowned babbler. It’s a bird that lives in family groups and roost together in domed nests of sticks. Other birds you may see include glossy black cockatoos, brown treecreepers, regent honeyeaters, barking owls, and red-capped robins. For more information about great bird watching opportunities in Pilliga, be sure to pick up a copy of Bird Routes of Baradine from Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre.
- Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre The Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre is the best place for visitors and tourists to collect information about the Pilliga Forest before setting off on their adventure.
- Sculptures in the Scrub walking track Take a short walk around the Sculptures in the Scrub in Timmallallie National Park – award-winning sculptures that celebrate Aboriginal culture and history.
Aboriginal culture
Pilliga is traditional Country of the Gamilaroi People and much evidence of their ancient connection to the land exists in the park today. On your exploration of the park, you may see stone tools, grinding grooves, modified trees, and rock art. Find out more about the Gamilaroi People and their ancient culture on a guided tour of Sandstone Caves, a place containing Aboriginal rock art and engravings.
- Sandstone Caves walking track Take a self-guided tour along the Sandstone Caves walking track to see ancient Aboriginal rock art. For more of an insight into Aboriginal history, book a guided tour.
- Sculptures in the Scrub walking track Take a short walk around the Sculptures in the Scrub in Timmallallie National Park – award-winning sculptures that celebrate Aboriginal culture and history.
Koala territory
Pilliga Forest supports a vast number of mammals, including swamp wallabies, eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies, and eastern pygmy possums. Pilliga also has the largest koala population in NSW to the west of the Great Dividing Range – look for them in the forest’s red gums and the Pilliga box. If you are lucky enough to spot a koala, please report your sighting to the Baradine NPWS office.
- Salt Caves picnic area and Pilliga lookout tower Pause at Salt Caves picnic area on your exploration of the Pilliga Forest. After a barbecue lunch, take a short walk to look for birds, or a longer hike up to Pilliga Forest lookout tower.
Plants and animals you may see
Animals
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Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.
