Warrumbungle Shire Council: Stars, Nature and Culture

When planning a trip to Warrumbungle Shire Council, you can follow different interests: the night sky, walks through the landscape, or culture and history. Coonabarabran offers specific places to visit, including Siding Spring Observatory and a museum at the Visitor Information Centre. Other natural and cultural destinations are also located in the surrounding region. The distinctions below can help you weigh your interests and the time available for your stay.

Night skies and astronomy in Coonabarabran

Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran is Australia's first Dark Sky Park. Activities mentioned there include stargazing, amateur astronomy and camping beneath a particularly star-filled sky. Siding Spring Observatory, Australia's leading optical and infrared astronomical observatory, is located on the edge of the national park near Coonabarabran. The AAT Visitor Gallery at the observatory is open seven days a week. Closures may occur during extreme fire danger or severe weather; take this limitation into account when planning your visit.

Astronomy enthusiasts will also find the World's Largest Virtual Solar System Drive in Coonabarabran. Visitors can start there and learn about the universe at the planet signs along the route. The day-trip experience also comes with practical advice: stop safely at the planets and take care when pulling out and re-entering the road. Check current road conditions and signage. This is distinct from the 70 km Coonabarabran–Warrumbungle–Tooraweenah drive, which is described as a day trip with lookouts and easy walks.

Museums and cultural history

At the Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre, the Australian Museum Diprotodon Exhibition displays the skeleton and skull of a Diprotodon. Free guided tours are available for groups by prior arrangement. Check the arrangements with the Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre. The museum also has an area featuring artworks by local artists, as well as the Aboriginal Keeping Place; the current presentation may vary.

Another attraction in Coonabarabran is Crystal Kingdom, with more than 500 specimens of local minerals and fossils. Guided group tours are offered there and must be booked in advance. Confirm the arrangements with the operator before your visit. For a different perspective on the town, explore the central business district: along John Street between Cassilis Street and the Castlereagh River, the effects of several economic booms in the 20th century bear witness to the area's development.

The Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre is also a practical starting point, offering advice on activities, accommodation and restaurants in the Warrumbungle Region. The centre includes public facilities, park-like gardens and free barbecue facilities. As visitor services can change, ask there for the latest details.

Walking tracks and landscapes across the wider region

Across the wider region, the Breadknife in Warrumbungle National Park rises 90 m above the valley floor. The Whitegum lookout walking track in the national park is a short, wheelchair-accessible walk for all ages, with remarkable views. The Burbie Canyon walking track follows an easy 2 km route through a sandstone gorge and is especially popular for birdwatching. The stated time frames differ: the Coonabarabran–Warrumbungle–Tooraweenah drive is a day trip, while Burbie Canyon is a short walk.

Pilliga Forest near Baradine covers more than half a million hectares and has 2,000 km of publicly accessible tracks. You can explore the area by car or on foot, and camping is possible. Animals found in the Pilliga area include eastern pygmy possums, swamp wallabies, eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies, sugar gliders and south-eastern long-eared bats. This landscape thus combines walking tracks and camping with a diverse range of wildlife.

Cultural sites across the wider region

Across the wider region, Sculptures in the Scrub in Timmallallie National Park recognises Aboriginal culture and history. Sandstone Caves is an important Aboriginal site associated with the Gamilaraay. These cultural connections complement the museum offerings in Coonabarabran with further perspectives on the region's history and culture.

Discover more destinations: Coonabarabran, Oberon Council, Wentworth Shire Council, Gosford City Council, Lithgow City Council, Clarence Valley Council, Balranald Shire, Coffs Harbour City Council.

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.