Split Rock walking track
Mutawintji Historic Site
Overview
Explore the rugged outback landscape of Mutawintji National Park along Split Rock walking track. This wild walk near Broken Hill is significant to Aboriginal women's cultural practices.
- Where
- Mutawintji Historic Site in Outback NSW
- Distance
- 6km return
- Time suggested
- 3 - 4hrs
- Grade
- Grade 5
- Trip Intention Form
-
It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.
- Please note
- Aboriginal Owners advise that only women should be within 100m of Split Rock.
- Grey kangaroos live in this area of the park, it’s a good idea to appreciate these powerful animals from a distance.
- A topographic map, compass or GPS will be handy in this remote area.
Split Rock walking track is an adventurous but peaceful walk to add to your outback discovery itinerary. It’s starts at the end of Old Coach Road drive, a historic coach run that passes the ruins of the Rockholes Hotel.
Most of the area is part of the remains of a 400-million-year-old sea that’s been eroded to form jagged ranges. Mulga grass, mulga wattle and river red gum add some green to this iconic red dirt scenery. While the desert environment can seem harsh, it's home to kangaroos, wallabies, emus and lizards.
You'll pass Eagle Rock and Boomerang Rock with views of Peregrine Pass in the distance. The track ends at Split Rock, a meeting point for Aboriginal women. While anyone is welcome to walk the track, please respect the cultural protocols advised by Aboriginal owners which only allow women to walk within 100m of Split Rock. The traditional home of the Pantjikali, Wanyuparlku, Wilyakali and Malyangapa people, many locations in Mutawintji National Park are significant meeting places and have been for thousands of years.
The track is in a wilderness area with limited directional signage. It’s a good idea to stop at the self-service Mutawintji Visitor Centre to get an informational brochure. If you plan to trek beyond Split Rock, please complete a trip intention form to stay safe.
Also see
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Mutawintji Visitor Centre
The visitor centre is on your left as you enter the Mutawintji Park. It is unstaffed, but provides a general introduction to the park for visitors. It is also a good place to stop and get your bearings and use the facilities.
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Old Coach Road drive
The Old Coach Road drive is a piece of Australian history, following a section of the historic Broken Hill to White Cliffs Coach Run that connected these two outback towns.
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Homestead Creek campground
Head to Homestead Creek campground on your outback NSW tour. Featuring caravan and motorhome campsites, this well-equipped campground is a great base to explore the park.
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/split-rock-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 Mutawintji Historic Site in the Outback NSW region
Entry to Mutawintji Historic Site is only possible when you book a tour with Mutawintji Heritage Tours.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Split Rock walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
6km return
Time
3 - 4hrs
Quality of markings
Limited signage
Experience required
Very experienced bushwalkers
Gradient
Short steep hills
Steps
Occasional steps
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles
Getting there and parking
Split Rock walking track is in the northern area of Mutawintji National Park. Please contact the Broken Hill office for road conditions and recommended directions.
To get there from Broken Hill:
- Take the Silver City Highway towards Tibooburra and look for the Mutawintji National Park turnoff.
- Follow Mutawintji turn off until enter the park and continue to Old Coach road.
- Follow Old Coach road to the picnic area.
- The walk starts at the gate opposite the picnic area.
Road quality
- Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- All roads require 4WD vehicle
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available at the Old Coach picnic area.
Best times to visit
Split Rock walking track is best visited during autumn, winter and spring when daytime weather is pleasant. Summer in the outback can be very hot.
Facilities
- There aren’t any bins so you’ll need to take all rubbish away with you.
- No fuel or food is available at Mutawintji National Park.
- Drinkable bore water is available at the visitor centre, but it should be boiling before use.
Picnic tables
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
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.
Learn more
Split Rock walking track is in Mutawintji Historic Site. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Amazing Aboriginal art
The area of Mutawintji National Park is the traditional land of the Pantjikali, Wanyuparlku, Wilyakali and Malyangapa people. Mutawintji has been a significant meeting place for local cultures for thousands of years. Mutawintji Historic Site is the cultural heart of the region and has enormous cultural significance. Communities have performed initiations, rainmaking and other ceremonies here in gatherings of up to 1,000 people. It also boasts one of the largest collections of Aboriginal rock art in New South Wales. Today, it continues to be a place of living culture, with Aboriginal people from around the region gathering here for cultural purposes and to hold meetings. To discover the ancient wonders of this special place it's necessary to visit on a guided tour.
Iconic scenery
Mutawintji Historic Site and Mutawintji National Park display the classic outback landscape for which Australia is famous around the world. Travel along red dirt roads among rugged gorges and desert and against the backdrop of the ever-changing colour of the Byngnano Ranges. Discover the peace and space of this outback NSW desert. Beyond the ridges, the saltbush and mulga plains stretch to the horizon, making city life seem a long, long way away.
A wildlife wonderland
It might feel peaceful here, but Mutawintji teems with wildlife that has occupied these lands since ancient times. You might see a wedge-tailed eagle or peregrine falcon as you enjoy the chatter of noisy short-billed correllas, zebra finches, budgerigars, apostle birds and magpies. Goannas and snakes might cross your path or you may spot an endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby on the park's rocky ridges.