Against a sunset intensified by nearby smoke, a bushwalker scales Belougery Split Rock, one of the best tracks in Warrumbungle National Park.

The sun slips over the distant ranges of Warrumbungle National Park, in central NSW.

Senior park field officer Arthur Dow, in yellow, has a long association with Warrumbungle National Park – his father Carl built many of the walking tracks by hand. “I feel pretty proud that I’m involved,” Arthur says. “There’s one section on the Grand High Tops that we’re working on where there are rocks that big I can’t even move them, and he put them there

The landscape of the Warrumbungles shows dense bushland with tall, sharp spires of rock formed from ancient volcanic events. 

This brilliant pea is one of around 800 species of plant found in the park, which is known as a regional hotspot for rare flora. Spring is the time to see the wildflowers at their best.

Tufts of knife-leafed wattle fleck the summit of Belougery Split Rock in Aussie green and gold.

The best known and most beloved feature of Warrumbungle National Park, the Breadknife is only a few metres wide at its narrowest, and towers 90m in height.

Dwarfed by the huge trachyte cliff they are climbing on Crater Bluff, three adventurers set out on the next pitch of Rib and Gully, a 200m climb graded ’13’ on the Australian climber’s scale.

Morning sun catches the edge of the Breadknife. Climbing has been banned on this feature due to the danger of loose rock falling on passing walkers.

Eastern grey kangaroos pad around Camp Blackman in Warrumbungle National Park. The large campsite has powered and unpowered sites, gas barbecues and hot showers.

Rugged up against the cold, 21-year-old rock-climber Eric Butler balances high on the face of Belougery Spire.

With a vibrant display of primary colours, a pea adds a sunny splash to the forest green of Warrumbungle National Park.

Outdoor guide and keen rock-climber Eric Butler, 21, follows a family tradition by climbing barefoot whenever he can. His grandmother, Dot, who climbed barefoot, was one of the first known people to climb Crater Bluff in 1936.

Ken Pidcock from Orange, NSW, rests at the top of the Grand High Tops walk. He’s been walking in Warrumbungle National Park for 50 years and is planning a family excursion to the Grand High Tops for his upcoming 70th birthday. “You need a bit of a challenge, otherwise you slacken off,” he says.

Tucked into pine forest near the Breadknife, Balor Hut provides a great base for rock-climbers and bushwalkers. It can be rented for just $5 per person per night.

Siding Spring Observatory is Australia’s largest optical astronomy centre, taking advantage of the crystal clear night sSiding Spring Observatory is Australia’s largest optical astronomy centre, taking advantage of the crystal clear night skies over Warrumbungle National Parkkies over Warrumbungle National Park.

Aboriginal grinding grooves in Tara Cave, Warrumbungle National Park. The park is full of Aboriginal artefacts and significant places, but Tara Cave is one of the only labelled sites.

Senior park field supervisor Roger Row prepares to abseil off Crater Bluff. Roger has worked at Warrumbungle National Park for decades. “My wife and I were passing through to see some friends in Queensland,” he says. “We’ve now been here 31 years.”

Exquisite nodding blue lilies are found in Warrumbungle National Park. The plant can tolerate drought but flowers profusely after rain.

With very little light pollution, a clear atmosphere, few clouds and a relatively accessible location, Warrumbungle National Park is popular among astronomers. A small galaxy of observatories exists nearby, including the Siding Spring Observatory, Australia’s largest.

In an icy wind, local science teacher Shelly Moore descends the rarely seen ‘Green Glacier’ inside Crater Bluff, after completing a 200m rock-climb of the prominent feature.