Breelong National Park

After leaving the Warrumbungles I drove through Tooraweenah and on to Gilgandra for lunch. 

I then went out to Breelong National Park and camped on the banks of the Castlereagh River.

A nice  walk in the afternoon down the bed of the river and then back through the scrub to camp.

The river was running in sections before disappearing into the sand and reappearing again.

Once I got to the park boundary I climbed the levee bank and walked back through the open forest.

Once back at camp I rode my bike through the trails of the park.

Noogoora Burr, dare I say, photogenic but not easy to walk through.

Black-fronted Dotterel

Carp

Yellow-billed Spoonbill

Night on the river

The next morning another short walk on the river in the opposite direction.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Burbie Creek and Tara Cave

Back at Camp Blackman and it was a milder and more comfortable night than yesterday.

After a leisurely breakfast and packing the car I took the bird lens and walked through Burbie Creek. Mostly dry, it was still pleasant walking along the creek.

One of my favourites, the Spotted Pardolote. Always has a curious personality.

Thornbill

Olive-backed Oriole

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo

Leaden Flycatcher

Once through the creek track it joined the Burbie Fire Trail and I decided to walk up to Burbie Springs with views looking up at Mt Exmouth. This made it a 7klm morning walk.

After returning to the car I drove on to The Woolshed and walked the 4klm out to Tara Cave and back. 

Wambelong Creek here had a little water flowing.

Tara Cave with a history of Aboriginal habitation.

Views back over the park.

An emu farm just outside the park on the way to Toorawenah

Canola

Mount Exmouth and the Grand High Tops

The plan was to do this walk as an overnight trip with a camp in my bivvy bag on top of Mt Exmouth. Overnight temps were supposed to be 12*  but the night before it got down to -3* and the cot tent was covered in frost. A cold night. I like to be comfortable so decided to walk to Mt Exmouth and if I could be back at the junction at Ogma Saddle by 1400hrs I thought I could complete the circuit in the day. (Walked mid September before daylight savings) If not I could walk the Grand High Tops the next day. A cold start meant a slow start and I wasn't packed and walking from Pincham Road track head until just before 0900.

Views of Bluff Mountain as I climb up the West Spirey Track.

Looking back down the valley.

On leaving Ogma Saddle and heading along the Western High Tops Track I had the option of a side trip to The Cathedral and Cathedral Arch. I didn't do this side trip but assume that this is the Cathedral.

Countouring across scree slopes.

Views back to Bluff Mountain and Tonduron Spire

Looking south to plains around Tooraweenah from the climb up Mt Exmouth. I stopped here for 1/2 hour and watched Wedge-tailed eagles soaring below me.

Looking down the spine of Mt Exmouth.

I loved the Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea) on the summit.

The views from the summit were spectacular.

Bluff Mountain and the Grand High Tops

Belougery Split Rock 

Just magnificent.

I did make it back to Ogma Saddle by 1400hrs (well almost) and decided to push on with the loop.

Crater Bluff,

The Breadknife

The dyke at the top ridge which runs down to the Breadknife.

Walking under the Breadknife on the way down

Belougery Spire

I was back at the car by 1730 and back at Camp Blackman not long after. Probably one of the best walks in NSW if not the whole country. 24klm for the day with lots of up and down, some of it very steep. Slept well that night.