Mt Kaputar NP

Hi Paul,
We did the great ocean road in 06. We started from Kempsey and traveled the coast road all the way so cannot advise about the Mt Kaputar region. However you can return via Barraba heading for Tamworth and then down the New England Highway to Sydney. I have a friend who regularly visits from Nowra NSW and he uses the M2 I think it is to get around sydney, bypass it that is, and he swears by it. there is a bottleneck at the hornsby end but once on the motorways you are laughing, so to speak.

We started our journey effectively at Ulladulla on the coast and worked our way around the coast checking out Phillip Island VIC and catching the penguin parade.
We traveled around Western Port Bay then and took the ferry across Port Phillip Bay so missing Melbourne completely. Pick the ferry up at Sorento and it drops you off at Queenscliffe VIC. This is virtually the start of the Great Ocaen Road, though some would not agree, but for our purposes it was. Continue along the coast all the way to Mount Gambier and you will have completed the run.

We always called into the tourist info centre every stop we made to see what each area offered. Found that the best policy. From Lorne heading south there are many places to see koalas especially up some of the little side roads.

Interestingly we are doing it again in April with our friends from Nowra. Pitty our timing wasn't better we could have tagged along together.

Every place along the way was a hilight as I recall so don't miss a thing, not even the otway fly near Lorne.

Cheers, Bruce

Paul,

Many years ago I did an extended bushwalk in the Mt Kaputar National Park and had a ball. The place has become a bit special for me. I was working in the Barraba area about a month ago and visited the northern part of the park.

To answer your questions

- the best route would be Glenn Innes to Delungra then down to Bingara. From there just follow the signs to Mt Kaputar and Narrabri.

On the way from Bingara to Narrabri you will pass the Rocky Creek glacial area and Sawn Rocks both worth a look. You may be able to camp near the glacial area. I am not sure about that but it is worth a look.

You will have to go into Narrabri to get to Dawson Springs Camping areas near Mt Kaputar itself. The road up is marked as not suitable for caravans but I am not sure how you will go with trailers. I have not been up into that part of the park for about 20 years. The road from Bingara to Narrabri is sealed all the way but there are a couple of causeways that could well have water over them if there is rain in the area.

Duncs

Call NPWS (what ever they are now called) at Narrabri, alternatively Tamworth 4WD club (I am not a member).
You can access via Barraba side via locked gate, but it is closed after "2mm of rain" and I doubt the RAV4 would be suitable.
Strongly suggest approaching from the Narrabri side and leave the Barraba side for a vehicle only approach.

Glacial valley is a nice spot on the Narrabri- Bingara Rd would be a bit tight for a couple of camper trailers, but some decent spots on the creek just down the road a bit.

From Girraween NP why not head on down to Lake Keepit between Gunnedah and Tamworth, 5-6 hour drive instead of Mt Kaputar. You can camp in an open paddock or a good CP.

As others have said you and come through Sawn Rocks which are worth a look, You have to go right into Narrabri to get out to Mt Kaputar (The RSL in Narrabri has a great Bistro and worth a stop)

The road up to the top of Mt Kaputar is quite narrow with some areas down to a narrow one lane due to some landslides. Once at the top you can walk up to the Trig Station where you are supposed to be able to see something like 20% of NSW (or so the story goes)

If you are up in that area why not go down through the Pilliga and see the Warrumbungles, then come accross through Premer, across Pandora's Pass and do Coolah Tops National Park as well.

Bruce