Warrumbungle Environmental Education Centre

Warrumbungle National Park

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Overview

Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre is operated by the NSW Department of Education. It's dedicated to supporting students and teachers with fieldwork and environmental education.

Type
Education centres
Accessibility
Easy
Grade
Easy
Price
Fees apply. Contact the centre for more information about programs and activities.
Entry fees
Park entry fees apply
Opening times
  • Open 8.30am to 3.30pm (Monday to Friday) during school terms
  • Closed during school holidays
Bookings
Bookings essential through the Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre, email or call 02 6825 4302.
Please note
  • Filtered drinking water and firewood is available for visiting schools.
  • There is limited mobile reception in this park, but the reception at the centre is good.

The centre serves all NSW Department of Education schools and non-government schools across the central west and north west of NSW and beyond. Situated within spectacular Warrumbungle National Park, the centre conducts fieldwork at a variety of sites. Each location offers unique natural and cultural significance.

Programs are delivered by qualified, highly experienced Department of Education teachers, both in the field and at schools. The centre has access to a diverse range of environments, and can offer an extensive suite of curriculum-based environmental education programs for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

The education centre staff are committed to providing hands-on integrated learning experiences, tailored to meet the specific needs of each visiting group. They run high-quality excursions and incursions, all closely aligned with syllabus outcomes, and inspire students through authentic environmental learning and education for sustainability.

The Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre is one of 24 environmental and zoo education centres operated by the NSW Department of Education.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/education-centres/warrumbungle-environmental-education-centre/local-alerts

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Warrumbungle Environmental Education Centre.

Getting there and parking

Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre is in the Camp Walaay precinct of Warrumbungle National Park. To get there:

  • From Coonabarabran, drive along John Renshaw Parkway until you see the signpost to turn to your right. Travel for approximately 2km to Camp Walaay, turn left, and you’ll see the education centre to your right.
  • If you’re travelling from the south, drive along John Renshaw Parkway until you see the signpost to turn to your left. Travel for approximately 2km to Camp Walaay, turn left, and you’ll see the education centre to your right.

Road quality

  • Sealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Car and bus parking is available at the centre.

Best times to visit

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 .

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

15°C and 30°C

Highest recorded

42.6°C

Winter temperature

Average

0°C and 15°C

Lowest recorded

-9°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

January

Driest month

September

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

176.3mm

Facilities

  • Filtered drinking water is available for visiting schools.
  • Although there is limited mobile reception in this park, the mobile reception at Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre is good.

Toilets

  • Flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

Firewood and gas BBQ supplied for our visiting school groups.

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - easy

The toilets and classroom are accessible, with ramp access.

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.

Visitor centre

Learn more

Warrumbungle Environmental Education Centre is in Warrumbungle National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Aboriginal dreamtime

The view across the mountain range, Warrumbungle National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

Warrumbungle is a Gamilaraay word meaning crooked mountain, and for many thousands of years it has been a spiritual place for the custodians of this land, the Gamilaraay, the Wiradjuri and the Weilwan. The landscape, plants and animals of the park are a constant reminder of its sacred significance to Aboriginal people today. Take an Aboriginal Discovery guided tour to find out more about the Aboriginal cultural heritage.

  • 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.

Diversity of wildlife

Kangaroos, Warrumbungle National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

Warrumbungle National Park has a diversity of landforms and microclimates, and provides a habitat for hundreds of plant and animal species. Wildflowers and unique plants, such as the Warrumbungle star flower, golden cassinia and grey ray flower, flourish there. Over 190 bird species have been recorded in the park, including emus, wedge-tailed eagles and turquoise parrots. If you're lucky, you could also spot koalas, squirrel gliders, lace monitors and Warrumbungle black rock skinks high in the mountains. But for now, Warrumbungle's seriously endangered brush-tailed rock-wallabies have been relocated to a remote feral cat and fox-free area within the park. It's a secure environment where the rock-wallaby population can recover and thrive, free from predators. 

  • Boots and brushes - guided walk and art tour Tap into your creativity on a 6km guided walk with a Discovery ranger in Warrumbungle National Park. Create your own personal artwork inspired by the iconic mountain landscape at Spirey View lookout.
  • 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 Discovery Ranger 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.
  • Warrumbungle Environmental Education Centre Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre is operated by the NSW Department of Education. It's dedicated to supporting students and teachers with fieldwork and environmental education.
  • 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.

Landscape and geology

Rocky pinnacle, Warrumbungle National Park. Photo: Steve Alton

The landscape of Warrumbungle National Park has been shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion; spend some time looking at Crater Bluff and Belougery Spire and imagine the vents of magma that once erupted to create these formations. Layers of lava and volcanic rock created Mount Exmouth and Mount Woorut just outside the boundary of the park, and Belougery Split Rock and Bluff Mountain are great examples of igneous lava domes. One of the most iconic features in the park, The Breadknife, is a volcanic dyke which stands a massive 90m tall. You can learn more about the park's fascinating geological history, or take a self-guided geology tour, through the NSW GeoTours app.

  • 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.
  • Boots and brushes - guided walk and art tour Tap into your creativity on a 6km guided walk with a Discovery ranger in Warrumbungle National Park. Create your own personal artwork inspired by the iconic mountain landscape at Spirey View lookout.
  • 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 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.
  • Warrumbungle Environmental Education Centre Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre is operated by the NSW Department of Education. It's dedicated to supporting students and teachers with fieldwork and environmental education.
  • 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.
Show more

Wish upon a star

Whitegum lookout, Warrumbungle National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

Warrumbungle National Park is Australia’s first Dark Sky Park. Nearby Coonabarabran is known as the 'Astronomy Capital of Australia'. Stargaze from your campsite, or if you want to see right up to the heavens, visit a local observatory. The dramatic mix of volcanic spires and domes, plateaus, forested ridges and tall volcanic dykes are bound to make even the youngest of photographers look good, so whatever you do ‐ don't forget your camera.

  • 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.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • Wedge-tailed eagle. Photo: Kelly Nowak

    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. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

    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. Photo: David Cook

    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. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

    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.

  • Closeup of a laughing kookaburra's head and body. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

    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.

Environments in this park