Western Ridge walking track

Mutawintji National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Western Ridge walking track is a spectacular walk for fit bushwalkers. From the ridge you'll overlook the vast desert plains and the beautiful Bynguano Range. It's especially beautiful at sunset.

Distance
6km loop
Time suggested
2hrs 30min - 3hrs 30min
Grade
Grade 5
What to
bring
Hat, drinking water, sunscreen
Please note
  • In wet weather, access within the park maybe closed, and the public roads are susceptible to weather closures. Please check with the park office before you head out.
  • If you’re planning to watch the sunset on Western Ridge walking track, please take a torch with you.
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird watch

Also known as Sunset Ridge trail, Western Ridge walking track is a spectacular hike if you’re into rugged scenery and enjoy a challenging walk. Allow around 3 hours to complete.

Starting from Homestead Creek campground, the track is very steep in sections, but the breathtaking scenic views in every direction make it well worth the effort. Time this walk in the afternoon for one of the most beautiful sunsets you’re likely to experience.

Following the red markers as you climb the ridge, look for wedge tailed eagles and pink cockatoos. A birdwatching paradise, corellas and finches are often seen flitting through the mallee scrub.

As you clamber up, drink in the views all around you. From the vast western desert plains to the dramatic gorges and rich red ochres of the Bynguano Range to the east, you’ll feel on top of the world. For more big sky views, try the Bynguano Range walking track.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

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/walking-tracks/western-ridge-walking-track/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Western Ridge walking track.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

6km loop

Time

2hrs 30min - 3hrs 30min

Quality of markings

No directional signage

Experience required

Experienced bushwalkers

Gradient

Very steep and difficult

Steps

Many steps

Quality of path

Rough track, many obstacles

Getting there and parking

On entering Mutawintji National Park, Western Ridge walking track starts near Homestead Creek campground.

Parking

Parking is available at Homestead Creek campground.

Best times to visit

Mutawintji National Park is best visited during spring. Daytime weather is pleasant and the nights are not yet too cold.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

30°C and 35°C

Highest recorded

48.6°C

Winter temperature

Average

17°C and 31°C

Lowest recorded

-3.3°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

January

Driest month

September

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

140.2mm

Facilities

Toilets and picnic facilities are located at the Homestead Creek campground.

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

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).

Outback safety

Safety is of high priority in outback areas. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 50°C in some places. Food, water and fuel supplies can be scarce. Before you head off, check for road closures and use our contacts to stay safe in the outback.

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

  • Mutawintji Visitor Centre
    51 Old Coach Road, Mutawintji, NSW 2880
  • Mutawintji Visitor Centre is always open but it's unstaffed (self service).

Learn more

Western Ridge walking track is in Mutawintji National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

A wildlife wonderland

Bobtail (Tiliqua rugosa), Mutawintji National Park. Photo: John Spencer

It might feel peaceful here, but Mutawintji teems with the wildlife that has occupied these lands since ancient times. You might see a wedge-tailed eagle or even a peregrine falcon and enjoy the chatter of noisy short-billed correllas, zebra finches, budgerigars, apostle birds and magpies. Crossing your path may be goannas and snakes, and look out for members of the only colony in NSW of the endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby. The largest of the rock-wallabies, it is Australia's most brightly coloured mammal - look for them on rocky ridges in the park.

  • Homestead Gorge walking track Take a breathtaking walk along Homestead Gorge walking track for scenic landscape vistas and ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. Plus you might see wallabies, emus and birds.
  • 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. 

An important Aboriginal site

Thaaklatjika Mingkana walk, Mutawintj National Park. Photo: John Spencer

The traditional home of the Pantjikali, Wanyuparlku, Wilyakali and Malyangapa people, Mutawintji National Park has been a significant meeting place for local cultures for thousands of years. Communities have performed initiations, rainmaking and other ceremonies here in gatherings of up to 1000 people. A short, easy walk, suitable for wheelchairs, will guide you amid the splendour of Mutawintji's gorges to the rocky overhang Thaaklatjika (Wright's Cave). Here you'll find paintings, stencils and engravings that depict pre and post colonial Aboriginal history, as well as the animals that live in the area, including kangaroos and emus.

  • Homestead Gorge walking track Take a breathtaking walk along Homestead Gorge walking track for scenic landscape vistas and ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. Plus you might see wallabies, emus and birds.
  • Mutawintji cultural tour Join this special tour in Mutawintji National Park in the NSW outback and hear Aboriginal guides share their connection to their Country.
  • Rockholes Loop walking track Rockholes Loop walking track is an adventurous extension to Homestead Gorge walking track, in Mutawintji National Park. This short but steep hike includes Aboriginal engravings and splendid views of rockholes, Homestead Gorge and Bynguano Range.

Iconic scenery

Mutawintji Gorge walk, Mutawintji National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Mutawintji National Park displays the classic outback landscape for which Australia is famous around the world. Driving along red dirt roads among rugged gorges and desert, against the backdrop of the ever-changing colour of the Byngnano Ranges, you'll discover the peace and space of the desert. Beyond the ridges, the saltbush and mulga plains stretch to the horizon, making city life seem a long, long way away.

  • Homestead Gorge walking track Take a breathtaking walk along Homestead Gorge walking track for scenic landscape vistas and ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. Plus you might see wallabies, emus and birds.
  • Mutawintji cultural tour Join this special tour in Mutawintji National Park in the NSW outback and hear Aboriginal guides share their connection to their Country.
  • Mutawintji Gorge walking track Mutawintji Gorge walking track takes you on a hike through one of the park’s most scenic gorges. Enjoy a picnic at the end or simply spend some time taking in the view.
  • Rockholes Loop walking track Rockholes Loop walking track is an adventurous extension to Homestead Gorge walking track, in Mutawintji National Park. This short but steep hike includes Aboriginal engravings and splendid views of rockholes, Homestead Gorge and Bynguano Range.
  • Split Rock walking track 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.

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.

  • Red kangaroo, Sturt National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus)

    The red kangaroo is one of the most iconic Australian animals and the largest marsupial in the world. Large males have reddish fur and can reach a height of 2m, while females are considerably smaller and have blue-grey fur. Red kangaroos are herbivores and mainly eat grass.

  • Emu, Paroo Darling National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

    The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.

Plants

  • Sturt's desert pea. Photo: Jaime Plaza

    Sturt's desert pea (Swainsona formosa)

    One of Australia’s most famous desert wildflowers, Sturt’s desert pea is found across inland arid regions of Australia, including far west NSW. One of the most easily-recognised Australian native plants, Sturt’s desert pea thrives in red sandy soil, or loam, and has vibrant red leaf-shaped flowers with a black centre, known as a ‘boss’.

  • Saltbush. Photo: Jaime Plaza

    Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia)

    A hardy Australian native plant, the saltbush is a small spreading shrub that can withstand dry salty soils such as those found in the desert plains of western NSW. It is grey-white in colour and has small spear-shaped succulent leaves. It flowers from December to April.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)