Gunneemooroo Campground – Warrumbungle National Park

For the truly adventurous at heart, Gunneemooroo campground offers a rugged and remote escape into the wild southern section of the Warrumbungle National Park. This is a destination for the dedicated and self-sufficient 4WD enthusiast, bushwalker, and particularly, the horse rider. The journey in is a significant part of the experience, requiring a high-clearance 4WD to navigate the challenging forest trails, ensuring that those who arrive are rewarded with unparalleled peace and seclusion. The campground is a simple, rustic clearing set deep within the bush, offering a handful of sites perfect for tents, swags, and rugged off-road camper trailers looking for an authentic wilderness experience.

Gunneemooroo is one of the few campgrounds in the NSW parks system that specifically caters to visitors with their own horses, with a horse yard available and access to an extensive network of remote trails. For those on foot, it serves as a fantastic trailhead for exploring the less-travelled parts of this magnificent volcanic landscape. This is a classic ‘back-to-basics’ camp with facilities limited to a non-flush toilet and fire pits. You must be completely self-reliant, bringing in every single supply, including all your drinking water and firewood, and you must pack out all your rubbish. The sense of isolation is profound. As part of Australia’s only Dark Sky Park, the stargazing here, far from any residual light, is absolutely phenomenal. For a challenging, rewarding, and truly off-grid adventure in a spectacular setting, Gunneemooroo is an exceptional choice.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -31.36603, 148.95823

Site Information

• Location: Warrumbungle National Park (Southern Section).
• Site suitable for: Tents, swags, off-road camper trailers, horse floats.
• Road access: 4WD with high clearance is essential. Roads are unsealed, steep, and can be impassable after rain.
• Site surface: Natural 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: 5 unmarked sites.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilets, wood barbecues/fire pits, horse yard.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile phone coverage: None. A PLB is essential.
• TV reception: None.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish bins: No. All rubbish must be carried out.
• Open fires: Permitted in designated fire pits, subject to fire bans. Bring your own firewood.
• Generator use: Not permitted.
• Number of sites available: 5 sites.

Essentials to Bring

• A well-prepared 4WD with recovery gear.
• All drinking water for yourself and any animals.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own firewood.
• A personal locator beacon (PLB) is essential for this remote area.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Domestic pets are not permitted. This area is for visiting with horses only.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short walks: A primary destination for remote hiking, 4WD touring, and horse riding on designated trails.

Local Amenities (in Coonabarabran)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Imperial Hotel, Coonabarabran (~45 km)
  • The Royal Hotel, Coonabarabran (~45 km)
  • Coonabarabran Bowling Club (~45 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • A wide selection of pubs, clubs, cafes, and bakeries in Coonabarabran (~45 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Siding Spring Observatory (~30 km)
  • Warrumbungle Observatory (~40 km)
  • The main section of Warrumbungle National Park (Visitor Centre, Grand High Tops) (~20 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Camp Blackman (main park campground) (~20 km)
  • Coonabarabran Caravan Park (~45 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • There are no designated free camps in the immediate area.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Coonabarabran Showground (~45 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple service stations in Coonabarabran (~45 km). Arrive with a full tank.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Coonabarabran. It is essential to arrive at the park fully supplied.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. The next closest are at the main park Visitor Centre (~20 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Warrumbungle Region (High Altitude)

• Summer (December – February): Hot days with cooler nights. High risk of thunderstorms. Average temperatures from 16°C to 32°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm, sunny days and cool to cold nights. Ideal for hiking. Temperatures range from 7°C to 26°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cold, with severe frosts and occasional light snow. Days are typically cool, crisp, and sunny. Temperatures range from 0°C to 15°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm days with cool nights. The park is vibrant with wildflowers. Temperatures range from 7°C to 25°C.