Grass Tree walking track
Coolah Tops National Park
Overview
Grass Tree walking track is a great way to explore a magical landscape of ancient grass trees in Coolah Tops National Park. A must-do for visitors, this easy walk starts at The Barracks campground.
- Where
- Coolah Tops National Park in Country NSW
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Distance
- 1.4km loop
- Time suggested
- 30min
- Grade
- Grade 3
- What to
bring - Drinking water
- Please note
When you visit or stay in Coolah Tops National Park please come fully equipped with food, water and shelter. There’s no drinking water available in the park and facilities are limited.
Day trippers can easily combine this 1.4km loop walk with visits to Bundella and Pinnacle lookouts. You can complete Grass Tree walking track in just 30 minutes but you may want to take longer to fully appreciate the outlandish beauty of these plants.
Setting out from The Barracks campground through a forest of snow gums, you’ll soon find yourself dwarfed by giant grass trees, hundreds of years old. It’s hard not to marvel at the hardiness and longevity of these iconic Australian plants, with their quirky and twisting shapes.
Grass Tree walking track is also a great place to see rosellas and lorikeets feasting on nectar from the flower spikes of their favourite grass trees. Be warned though, the noise of these birds can be deafening at times.
Cool days during autumn and spring are the most comfortable time of year to come. If you’re visiting Coolah Tops National Park in summer, you can find some relief from the heat by heading to higher elevations.
Also see
-
The Barracks campground
The Barracks campground is a secluded camping area, great for small groups looking for a tranquil place to come back to after a day of walking or mountain biking.
-
Bundella lookout
Bundella lookout offers vast panoramic views across plains and mountains, near Coolah. Enjoy a scenic picnic before exploring the walks, wildlife and waterfalls in Coolah Tops National Park.
-
Pinnacle lookout
Pinnacle lookout is a scenic spot in Coolah Tops National Park, near Coolah. A short drive from The Barracks campground, it offers sweeping views across the Liverpool Plains and Warrumbungle Range.
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/grass-tree-walking-track/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 Coolah Tops National Park in the Country NSW region
Coolah Tops National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather, fire danger or management operations. The eastern end of the park is regularly closed during wet weather due to slippery road conditions.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Grass Tree walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
1.4km loop
Time
30min
Quality of markings
Sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Gentle hills
Steps
Occasional steps
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles
Getting there and parking
Grass Tree walking track is in the western part of Coolah Tops National Park.
To get there from Coolah:
- Drive east on sealed Coolah Creek Road for almost 19km.
- Turn right onto unsealed State Forest Road and drive almost 11km to the park entrance.
- Continue straight onto The Forest Road and drive for about 3.5km.
- Turn left turn onto The Pinnacle Road and drive for 1km.
- Turn right into the Barracks campground and park there.
The walking track starts at The Barracks campground.
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at The Barracks campground.
Facilities
There are no bins so you’ll need to take all rubbish away with you.
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Prohibited
Camping
Camping is not permitted on Grass tree walking track.
Generators
Horses
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
Grass Tree walking track is in Coolah Tops National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Get active in the bush
Pack your hiking boots and your mountain bike and be ready to get active in the bush at Coolah Tops. There are plenty of great walking tracks and trails to experience the bush on your bike. Make your way to lookouts like Shepherd's Peak or Breeza lookout for spectacular views to the north over the Liverpool Plains and the sheer escarpment. You'll also find several waterfalls along the escarpment where the creeks plunge over the plateau edge.
Wildlife haven
Looking out across the beautiful landscape of Coolah Tops National Park, it's obvious why you'll find so much wildlife here. Wander quietly along one of the walking tracks and you'll probably have a close encounter with red-necked wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos. You might also find a wombat waddling through the campground. Coolah Tops has some of the highest population densities of greater gliders in Australia. At night, keep your torch handy to see greater gliders, ring-tailed possums and possibly feather-tailed gliders or a sugar glider in the nearby trees.
- Grass Tree walking track Grass Tree walking track is a great way to explore a magical landscape of ancient grass trees in Coolah Tops National Park. A must-do for visitors, this easy walk starts at The Barracks campground.
- Shepherds Peak walking track For experienced bushwalkers, Shepherds Peak walking track in Coolah Tops National Park is a great way to explore sub-alpine forest. Come prepared for a steep scramble up the peak’s volcanic dome.
- Snow Gum walking track Snow Gum walking track in Coolah Tops National Park is an easy way to experience some of the largest known snow gum trees in a beautiful old-growth forest setting, near Coolah.