Finchley cultural walk
Yengo National Park
Overview
An astonishing wealth of ancient Aboriginal rock art, as well as great insights into Aboriginal history, draws visitors to the Finchley cultural walk.
- Distance
- 1km return
- Time suggested
- 15 - 45min
- Grade
- Grade 3
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
An easy walk that can be enjoyed by pretty much everyone, the Finchley cultural walk gives people a real understanding and respect for one of the best Aboriginal sites in Australia, the Finchley Aboriginal engravings.
It’s a short walk with informative signs along the way giving insight into the Aboriginal culture of the area.
Come in spring or autumn when conditions are ideal in this lush bushland setting. When the sun is out, you’ll see heaps of goannas, and, in spring, the red and yellow grevilleas and cream and yellow geebungs add gorgeous colour to what is already a stunning landscape.
Map
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/walking-tracks/finchley-cultural-walk/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Yengo National Park in the Sydney and surrounds and North Coast regions
Yengo National Park is always open, but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
The Big Yango precinct of the park is within locked gates and requires a permit to enter.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Finchley cultural walk.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
1km return
Time
15 - 45min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Gentle hills
Steps
No steps
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles: The walk is 1m-wide and hard-packed ground along its length. The track can be narrow and uneven in sections.
Other barriers
Other barriers: There rock platform at the Aboriginal engraving site is uneven and sloped and there are timber bollards which you'll need to manoeuvre around to see the engravings.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
The Finchley cultural walk is in Yengo National Park. To get there:
- Take the Yango Creek Road from Wollombi or Laguna
- Then Upper Yango Creek Road onto the Finchley track
- Follow Finchley track past Finchley lookout, then turn left onto Yango track.
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as the road to Finchley cultural walk can become slippery when it rains.
Parking
Parking is available in a hard-packed ground carpark at Finchley campground where this walk begins.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Yengo National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Try mountain bike-riding around the Mount Yengo loop trail.
Spring
Set up camp at either Blue Gums or Mountain Arm campground and enjoy the stunning spring wildflower display.
Summer
Great for 4WD touring, experience those amazing sunsets and spectacular views from Finchley lookout.
Winter
Make Big Yango House your base to explore the park, enjoy warm days on the veranda and chilly nights by the fireplace.
Facilities
The nearest toilets are at Finchley campground where this walk begins. They are ambulant non-flush toilets.
Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Finchley cultural walk is step-free and mostly flat with gentle hills. There are some points along the track where people with reduced mobility may need assistance:
- The track can be narrow and uneven at points
- The rock platform at the Aboriginal engraving site is sloped and uneven
- To see the engravings at the Aboriginal engraving site, you'll need to manoeuvre around timber bollards.
There are ambulant toilets at Finchley campground where this walk begins.
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Firewood may not be collected from the 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.
Learn more
Finchley cultural walk is in Yengo National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Amazing animal and birdlife
Yengo is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including around 50 species of mammals such as wombats, wallaroos, koalas and gliding possums, and over 200 species of birds. Watch out for the gang gang, yellow-tailed and glossy black cockatoos gliding between the treetops, or see if you can spot a lyrebird darting across bush tracks. Look closely at the steep rugged cliff faces found in the park as you might catch a glimpse of the endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby.
- Yango walking track Yango walking track in Yengo National Park takes hikers through pristine wilderness, including rainforest, and offers outstanding views.
Ancient Aboriginal culture
Yengo National Park and the surrounding areas have been an important spiritual and cultural place for the Darkinjung and Wonnarua People for thousands of years. No wonder there are over 640 recorded Aboriginal cultural sites in the park and nearby areas. Creation stories recount that Biamie, the ancestral being, stepped off the flat top of Mount Yengo into the sky when he finished his creation. Today, Aboriginal stories and rock engravings connect us with the rich culture of this ancient land and its people.
- Finchley cultural walk An astonishing wealth of ancient Aboriginal rock art, as well as great insights into Aboriginal history, draws visitors to the Finchley cultural walk.
- Finchley lookout Finchley lookout offers spectacular views over this remote wilderness area and an insight into the Aboriginal cultural heritage of Yengo National Park.
- Wollombi Aboriginal culture tours and camps Immerse yourself in the world’s oldest living culture and visit important spiritual and cultural sites in and around Yengo National Park on tours with Wollombi Aboriginal Cultural Experiences and Consultancy.
Remote wilderness to discover
Yengo offers a range of activities and options for all ages. Unsealed tracks through remote valleys provide opportunities to explore the park on mountain bike or by 4WD. For bushwalkers, there are many options to experience the rugged beauty of the park on foot, with both short walks and overnight walks. In the Big Yango precinct, there are even opportunities for horse riding adventures.
- Big Yango loop trail Big Yango loop trail is a great activity for 4WD touring and mountain biking when staying at Blue Gums campground, Mountain Arm campground or Big Yango House in Yengo National Park.
- Howes trail Drive through open forests along Howes trail, a must-do 4WD touring route in Yengo National Park.
World Heritage wonders
Yengo National Park is one of the eight conservation areas that make up the massive Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Property. Covering one million hectares, it was included in the World Heritage list in December 2000 for its remarkable geographic, botanic and cultural values. There are more than 90 different eucalypt species found here - some 13 per cent of all eucalypt species in the world.
- Howes trail Drive through open forests along Howes trail, a must-do 4WD touring route in Yengo National Park.
- Shepherds Gully circuit Step back in time on Shepherds Gully circuit. A short loop, it's ideal for bushwalkers looking for a quick adventure in Yengo National Park.