Warrumbungle National Park

Warrumbungle National Park is located in central northern New South Wales (Australia), 550 km northwest of Sydney. Outside of the Sydney metropolitan area parks, it is the most-visited national park in New South Wales. Fact|date=March 2008

It incorporates the most spectactular part of the Warrumbungle mountains, a region of past volcanic activity with unusual lava formations. There are many scenic bushwalks in the mountains.The park preserves habitat for a koala population numbering in the hundreds.Fact|date=March 2008 It is also home to the Anglo-Australian Observatory, which has one of the largest optical telescopes in the southern hemisphere.Fact|date=March 2008

The nearest towns to the park are Baradine, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Gulargambone, and Tooraweenah.

There are four main campsites. All camping in the park is only permitted after obtaining a permit. There is a visitors centre for bookings and keys to a number of huts. The park also caters for large school groups. There are free electric barbecues available however firewood is not supplied or to be collected within park grounds.The official name is Warrumbungle National Park, based on the geographical name Warrumbungle Mountain Range. This range is sometimes shortened to the Warrumbungles, and thus the park name is often heard in the plural. The comic strip Warrumbunglers may also have played some part in this usage.Fact|date=March 2008

The park was added to the list of the National Heritage in December, 2006. [Wild magazine, July-Sept, 2007]

Fact sheet

*"Area:" 236.21 km²
*"Coordinates": coord|31|17|32|S|149|00|21|E|type:landmark_region:AU
*"Date of establishment:" October 1, 1967
*"Managing authorities:" New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service
*"IUCN category:" II

Well Known Features

*Bluff Mountain
*Mount Exmouth (tallest in park)
*The Breadknife
*Split Rock
*Fans Horizon
*Crater Bluff

References

1. Wild magazine, Jul-Sep, 2007 (Australia)

ee also

* Protected areas of New South Wales (Australia)
* Warrumbungles