Dawsons Spring nature trail
Mount Kaputar National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Dawsons Spring nature trail.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
1.4km loop
Time
30min - 1hr
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Steps
No steps
Gradient
Gentle hills: The walk is has gentle hills, but can be moderately steep in some sections.
Quality of path
Formed track: The walk is 1.2m-wide and mostly bitumen with some sections where there are wooden platforms and bridges. Two of the pedestrian bridges have handrails and 1 does not.
Other barriers
Other barriers: There are raised wooden water bars throughout the walk for drainage.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Dawsons Spring nature trail is in the Kaputar Plateau area of Mount Kaputar National Park. To get there:
- From Narrabri, travel southeast on Old Gunnedah Road for 2.5km
- Turn left onto Kaputar Road and continue around 27km to the Mount Kaputar National Park entrance
- Continue on Kaputar Road for 20km of steep, single-lane road until you reach the T-junction
- Turn right to stay on Kaputar Road and drive 400m
- Turn right onto Dawsons Spring Road
- Dawsons Spring picnic area is on your right, with the campground at the end of the road.
Road conditions and access
- Kaputar Road is a steep, narrow road for most of its length in the park. It’s not suitable for caravans or motorhomes.
- Check weather conditions before setting out. Snow, severe weather or fire danger on Mount Kaputar may close access to the park.
- Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available in bitumen carparks at Dawsons Spring picnic area and campground where this walk begins.
Facilities
- Accessible toilets, accessible showers, picnic tables and barbecue facilities are available at Dawsons Spring picnic area, near the start of the nature trail.
- You’ll need to bring your own supply of water for drinking.
Seats and resting points
There are 5 benches with backrests along the loop walk.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Dawsons Spring nature trail is a 1.2m-wide sealed bitumen path with around 300m of raised timber boardwalks, most of which have railings.
Assistance may be required in the following areas:
- The boardwalk is moderately steep in some sections and is not recommended for wheelchair users, prams and mobility scooters.
- From the carpark, you'll need to cross over the gravel surface of Dawsons Spring campground to reach the start of the walk.
- Although the walk is step-free, there are raised wooden bars all the way along the track for drainage.
There are bench seats along the walk where you can rest, and there are accessible toilets and showers at Dawsons Spring campground where this walk begins.
Prohibited
Cycling
Cycling is not permitted on the nature trail. You can mountain bike on public roads and some management trails within the national park.
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.
Operated by
- Narrabri office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6792 7300
- npws.barwon@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Level 1, 100 Maitland Street, Narrabri NSW 2390. Accessible via Dewhurst Street.
Park info
- in Mount Kaputar National Park in the Country NSW region
Mount Kaputar National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.