Thungutti Campground – Cathedral Rock National Park

Thungutti campground offers an unforgettable high-country adventure, placing you in the heart of the dramatic and ancient landscape of Cathedral Rock National Park. This beautiful campground is a haven for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers, providing a comfortable and scenic base from which to explore the park’s giant granite boulders and stunning vistas. Set in a peaceful, grassy clearing at an altitude of 1,400 metres, the campground is surrounded by a beautiful forest of snow gums and stringybarks, offering a true alpine atmosphere. The spacious unpowered sites are perfect for tents, camper trailers, and small caravans, with the area frequented by friendly kangaroos, wallabies, and colourful birdlife.

The main drawcard is the access to the park’s incredible walking tracks. The campground is the starting point for the breathtaking Cathedral Rock track, a challenging but immensely rewarding hike that involves scrambling through giant boulders to reach the summit for 360-degree panoramic views. For a more gentle experience, the Barokee to Native Dog walk offers beautiful scenery through open woodland. The facilities at Thungutti are exceptional for a national park campground, featuring the rare luxury of hot showers and flush toilets, as well as a large, covered picnic shelter with free gas barbecues and a wood fire. This makes it an incredibly comfortable and social place to relax after a day of exploring. As a self-sufficient site, you must book in advance and bring your own firewood. For a spectacular, comfortable, and activity-filled escape into the unique beauty of the New England Tablelands, Thungutti is a premier destination.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -30.50046, 152.3876

Site Information

• Location: Cathedral Rock National Park, on the New England Tablelands.
• Site suitable for: Tents, camper trailers, small caravans.
• Road access: Unsealed road, generally 2WD accessible with care.
• Site surface: Grass and dirt.
• Camping permitted: Yes, bookings and park entry fees are essential via the NSW National Parks website.
• Maximum overnight stays: Check booking details.
• Number of un-powered sites: 25 unmarked sites.
• Facilities: Hot showers, flush toilets, gas barbecues, wood barbecues/fireplaces, picnic shelter.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: Yes, taps are available but boiling is recommended.
• Mobile phone coverage: Very limited to none at the campground. Service may be found on the summit.
• TV reception: None.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish bins: Yes.
• Open fires: Permitted in designated fireplaces only, subject to fire bans. Bring your own firewood.
• Generator use: Not permitted.
• Number of sites available: 25 sites.

Essentials to Bring

• Your own firewood.
• Sturdy, high-grip hiking shoes for the rock scramble.
• Alpine-rated warm clothing, as it is cold year-round.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short walks: A primary hiking destination with the Cathedral Rock and other tracks starting here.

Local Amenities (in Ebor / Armidale)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Ebor Hotel Motel (~25 km)
  • The Welder’s Dog, Armidale (~65 km)
  • The Whitebull Hotel, Armidale (~65 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Fusspots Cafe, Ebor (~25 km)
  • An extensive range of pubs, clubs, cafes, and restaurants in Armidale (~65 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Cathedral Rock summit (on site)
  • Ebor Falls (~25 km)
  • Wollomombi Falls, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (~50 km)
  • Point Lookout, New England National Park (~40 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Ebor Fossicker’s Caravan Park (~25 km)
  • Armidale Tourist Park (~65 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • There are no designated free camps in the immediate area.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Armidale Showground (~65 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Ebor (~25 km) or Armidale (~65 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available onsite (boil first). Otherwise, Armidale or Ebor.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. Public toilets are also available in Ebor (~25 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: New England High Country (High Altitude)

• Summer (December – February): Mild to warm days with cool nights, often with afternoon thunderstorms. Average temperatures from 13°C to 26°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Cool, crisp days and cold nights. The autumn colours are spectacular. Temperatures range from 4°C to 20°C.
• Winter (June – August): Very cold, with severe frosts, ice, and frequent snow. Road closures are possible. Temperatures range from -2°C to 12°C.
• Spring (September – November): Cold to cool days that can be windy and changeable. The park is vibrant with wildflowers. Temperatures range from 4°C to 20°C.