Australia So Much to See

These are accessed from the Newell Highway and are in an Aboriginal Cultural Area, within the Pilliga National Park. This is not signposted from the Newell Highway at the request of Aboriginal Elders, so directions must be obtained from The NSW Parks and Wildlife Service, or the Visitor Centre. A one kilometre along the Yaminba track takes you to the car park, where signage and information boards welcomed us to this special place. There is a 1.7 kilometres loop walk to and around the rock, with further features signed. Being springtime we saw many wildflowers by the walk trail to and around this rock. While this is an easy self guided walk, it has some well formed steps. Alternatively, an Aboriginal Discovery guided tour can be arranged through Parks and Wildlife offices in Baradine and Narrabri.

Yaarma (Greetings)

The rock has always been here for our people. Our ancestors were here long ago. From this hill we can see everything. We can see the Warrumbungles and the Nandewars. All this is Gamilaraay (Gamilaroi) country.

Dhawun (The Land)

Around here there are plants, animals and food. We have everything we need. We live with the land.

Let the land touch you!

Nhalay Yarrul (This Rock)

Water and wind have caused this rock to change over a long time. The caves were made long ago. The rock is soft.

Look out!

Don't touch!

There are sheer faces on three sides of the rock, where water and weathering has eroded out caverns in the soft sandstone. These have wonderful shapes, textures and soft colours. Aboriginal axe grinding grooves can be seen and there are some etchings in the caverns. Watch for the interpretive signs at these sites.

Weathering has created small caverns and carved out formations into the rock faces, resulting in a variety of colours, shapes, textures and patterns (above and below).

There are views over the surrounding countryside from and other this vantage points.

A well maintained walkway with signage at key points circles the entire sandstone rock formation.

See more photos from the Sandstone Caves on the following page.

Yilambu (Long Ago)

Our ancestors made stone tools. They sharpened their axes. They marked the rock.

Look out!

Don't collect anything!