Castle Rocks Walk, Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve
An easy 4km return walk near Mudgee, leading through eucalypt and pine bushland to sweeping views over the sandstone pagoda formations of Munghorn Gap. The track is mostly flat and sandy, with a short stair climb near the top. Allow two to three hours, pack a lunch for the lookout, and watch for local wildlife along the way.
🔗 Website
A pagoda without the passport
Some places you plan a trip around – others you stumble on because a friend says "you have to go." Castle Rocks is the second kind. Here's one woman's take on the walk, the climb and the view at the top.
If you’re looking for something to add to a Mudgee itinerary that takes you outdoors, consider a visit to the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve for an easy hike to the Castle Rocks lookout. The walk takes you along a 4km mostly flat, sandy path where you are surrounded by eucalypt and pine trees and hear nothing but your footsteps, the songs of native birds and the wind whistling through the trees. The reward at the end is an incredible view over the sandstone pagoda features of the nature reserve. This is nature at its best.
This is listed as a Grade 3 hike, but it’s relatively flat and easy. The soil is sandy and is so soft in parts that you feel like you’re walking along a beach. The only section that requires a bit more fitness is climbing the 60+ stairs and using the rail to step up onto the rocks to admire the view.
When you’re there, take the time to enjoy the scenery, admire the native flowers, listen to the birds and enjoy the serenity. If you stop for a break on a fallen log, you might even catch a glimpse of some local wildlife.
Getting there
The track starts from the car park at the trail head, just off Wollar Rd. It’s a 30km drive from Mudgee or 35km from Gulgong. We travelled from Dubbo and stopped at Gulgong for coffee before the final 30-minute drive. This walk would make a great addition to a weekend in Mudgee – grab a coffee before you leave, enjoy the hike and then head into Gulgong for a pub lunch.
Be prepared
Be sure to visit the website to check on any park closures or warnings before you visit. While the website suggests this is a 3-5 hour hike, it took us a leisurely two hours return, plus time at the rocks to eat a packed lunch. It’s partly shaded along the track, depending on the time of day you set out.
Mobile reception is sketchy and this is quite an isolated area, so focus on your inner Girl Guide skills and make sure somebody knows where you will be if you’re going alone. We hiked on a weekday and only saw three other people. We also saw evidence of snakes, including a small one basking in the sun that we literally stepped over!
Photos: Donna Ambler
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