Ben Bullen trail
Gardens of Stone National Park
Overview
If you love 4WDing, mountain biking and horse riding, Ben Bullen trail in Gardens of Stone National Park is for you. There are also great places along the trail to pull over and enjoy a picnic and spectacular views.
- Time suggested
- 3hrs
- What to
bring - Drinking water
- Please note
There is limited mobile reception in this park.
Part of Bicentennial trail, Ben Bullen trail turns Gardens of Stone National Park into a spectacular adventure for driving enthusiasts. Suitable for high clearance and well-equipped 4WDing, the trail snakes along the Great Dividing Range, through Ben Bullen State Forest, and into the park. The 4WD trail passes steep sandstone cliffs along the way, with scenic views over the Wolgan and Capertee valleys.
If driving leaves you itching to stretch your legs, consider tackling parts of the trail via mountain biking. For something a little different, the trail is also terrific for horse riding. Any way you choose to do it, be sure to pack a hamper to break up the journey. With loads of places to pull up and rest along Ben Bullen trail, there are more than enough opportunities for a long picnic lunch and a stroll through the bush. Be sure to admire the wildflowers and stunning rock formations that give the park its evocative name.
Map
Map legend
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/4wd-touring-routes/ben-bullen-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 Ben Bullen trail.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Ben Bullen trail is in Gardens of Stone National Park. To get there from Lithgow:
- Follow Great Western Highway for 7km, then turn off onto Castlereagh Highway.
- After 4km, turn right onto Wolgan Road and follow it for 9km.
- Turn left onto Ben Bullen trail
Road quality
Ben Bullen trail is only suitable for high clearance 4WD vehicles. There are large ruts and washed out sections in Ben Bullen State Forest that are not suitable for low clearance vehicles.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- All roads require 4WD vehicle
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available along Ben Bullen 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're encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
Maps and downloads
Permitted
Rock climbing is permitted in this park.
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.
If you're travelling through a national park or reserve on a public road you can have pets inside your vehicle. However, you must keep them inside your vehicle while driving through national parks or reserves. You must also comply with any conditions in the park’s plan of management, and you cannot stop to visit the park or use park facilities (unless for safety reasons, or to use publicly accessible toilets).
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Ben Bullen 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 Bicentennial 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.
- Bicentennial trail: Crown Creek fire trail For horseriding or mountain-biking, take Crown Creek fire trail. This iconic part of the east coast's Bicentennial 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.
