St Kevin's College Warrumbungle Summits Challlenge

Enjoy the best hiking trails in the Warrumbungle National Park

Enjoying the magical Warrumbungles from Macha Tor, with the Breadknife and the Belougery Spire in the background. | Michael Buggy

Warrumbungle National Park is one of the best places in Australia for stargazing | Destination NSW

Enjoy incredible walks through the Australian bush in the Warrumbungle Ranges | Sue Badyari

Looking down from The High Tops toward Breadknife | Sue Badyari

Sandstone Caves located in the Pilliga Nature Reserve have a rich indigenous heritage | Sue Badyari

Exploring the remote walking trails in the Warrumbungle Ranges | Sue Badyari

The night sky filled with bright stars over Australia's only Dark Sky Park in the Warrumbungles. | Destination NSW

Enjoying the magical Warrumbungles from Macha Tor, with the Breadknife and the Belougery Spire in the background. | Michael Buggy

Warrumbungle National Park is one of the best places in Australia for stargazing | Destination NSW

Enjoy incredible walks through the Australian bush in the Warrumbungle Ranges | Sue Badyari

Looking down from The High Tops toward Breadknife | Sue Badyari

Sandstone Caves located in the Pilliga Nature Reserve have a rich indigenous heritage | Sue Badyari

The night sky filled with bright stars over Australia's only Dark Sky Park in the Warrumbungles. | Destination NSW

Code: SOG8096

Overview

Highlights

Indigenous cultural awareness program in Gunguddy with the Wiradjuri people's
Undertake a multitude of walks that explore the Warrumbungle National Park's iconic scenery and unique flora and fauna
Enjoy stargazing and camping under the stars in Australia's only Dark Sky National Park
Summits of Mt Bluff, Mt Exmouth and Belougery Split Rock
Join a local indigenous NSW parks ranger to hike into the exquisite Pilliga National park

The name ‘Warrumbungle’ is a Gamilaroi word meaning crooked mountains. Created over millions of years from an extinct shield volcano, the jagged volcanic silhouette of the Warrumbungles rises sharply from eucalypt-dotted ridges amid surrounding plains. Free from artificial light, the Warrumbungle National Park, is Australia's first Dark Sky Park and on clear nights you will encounter the starriest of skies. This is the backdrop of our exclusive summits trek for the students at St Kevin's. On this trip we take in all the Park has to offer including hikes to the summit of Mt Bluff, Mt Exmouth, Belougery Split Rock and famous Breadknife Gap which offer close up views of the park's iconic rock formations. We combine this with indigenous cultural awareness programs in Gunguddy with the Wiradjuri people’s and joining an Indigenous Park Ranger to explore Pilliga National Park.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Melbourne

Activities:

Grading:Challenging

Itinerary

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Day 1
Fly Melbourne to Sydney, transfer to Blue Mountains, to Ganguddy

After all the planning and preparation the wait is finally over. We are met on arrival and transfer straight to Katoomba and our headquarters at the Blue Mountains. We will have a full trip and safety briefing as we have lunch. We will then have time to g to the supermarket to shop for provisions for our trek. We then head West towards Kandos-Rylstone and Ganguddy on the fringes of the Wollemi National Park. Tonight we set up camp near the river for a night under canvas in preperation for our indigenous immersion program tomorrow. Overnight wilderness camping

Meals: D

Day 2
Wiradjuri indigenous cultural program, travel to Warrumbungles, set up camp, dark sky reserve stagazing program

Today we join a local elder and learn about the natural and cultural history of the area. We will learn about the areas enduring and significant indigenous history and the Wiradjuri people’s connection to the land as we embark on a walk through this stunning area on a unique cultural immersion program. We then drive to Warrumbungle National Park and set up our camp at Camp Walaay. Tonight we can join our guide for a star gazing program. Warrumbungle National Park is Australia's only dark sky reserve and one of the best stargazing spots in Australia. Here, the pristine night sky above the volcanic landscape is unimpeded by artificial light, providing jaw-dropping views of the Milky Way, constellations and planets.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Belougery Split Rock Circuit and Burbie Canyon Walk, overnight Burbie Camp

After breakfast we pack up camp and load up our packs as we head to start our trek on the Belougery Split Rock Circuit where we will complete the circuit with day packs. Once complete we wll make our way to Burbie and with our full packs we trek on the Burbie Canyon Track to Burbie campsite where we will set up camp and prepare dinner. Overnight camp

Meals: B,L

Day 4
Summit Mt Exmouth via Cathedral Arch, overnight Ogma Gap Camp

We have great day in store today with our aim to summit Mt Exmouth via Cathedral Arch. This long trek is also an extremely rewarding one and the 360-degree views from Mount Exmouth (1206m) are simply outstanding. Along the way to the summit, you’ll encounter a varied vegetation community, and basalt rock formations that comprise some of the few remaining pieces of the original volcanic shield. Following Mount Exmouth walking track is to walk back in time, experiencing the best that Warrumbungle National Park has to offer. We continue to Ogma Gap Camp to set up our camp for the night. Overnight Camp.

Meals: Nil

Day 5
Summit Bluff Mountain, descend via Grand High Tops and the Breadknife, overnight Balor Hut Camp

Today we embark on a challenging trek to the rocky summit of Bluff Mountain (1200m). The track is long and steep in parts with some loose rock and rocky scrambles. Once on the summit of Bluff Mountain you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Mount Exmouth, Tonduron Spire and Mount Naman’s thick lava flows. It is the only point in the park where you can enjoy views of Bluff Pyramid and the vast western plains. We descend Bluff Mountain and continue to Grand High Tops ad the Breadknife. Tonight we will stay at Balor Hut campsite. Overnight camp

Meals: Nil

Day 6
Trek Gould's Circuit to Macha Tor, drive to Camp Walaay

This morning we wake for breakfast and pack down camp. We depart camp for Macha Tor via the Goulds Circuit. Today''s walk affords us spectacular views of the park. The climb on Macha Tor is up a steep rocky outcrop and offers panoramic views of the Grand High Tops in what must be the very best vantage point in the whole of the Warrumbungles. Today we will have our lunch on the trail. After we complete the trek walking into Pincham car pack we will meet our vehicle for the transfer to Camp Walaay. Overnight camp

Meals: D

Day 7
Pilliga National Park, Sculptures in the Scrub trek with Indigenous Ranger, Tara Cave

We have breakfast and pack up camp early this morning and depart for Pilliga National Park (approx 1 hour) On arrival we visit Sculptures in the Scrub and meet up with an Indigenous NSW Parks Discovery Ranger for the 3km walking track. Deep in vast Pilliga Forest lies exquisite Dandry Gorge and the magnificent Sculptures in the Scrub. This once secret location of the Aboriginal Gamilaraay People is now an extraordinary place for all to share and view the five unique art pieces which reveal the cultural history of Pilliga. We return to Camp Walaay and trek to Tara Cave (3.4km) to view evidence of Aboriginal occupation with our local Indigenous NSW Parks Discovery Ranger Overnight camp

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Break camp, drive to Katoomba

This morning we pack up our camp and tailor and head out on the long drive to the Blue Mountains. We stop en-route for lunch before arriving at Katoomba to freshen up and to enjoy our last dinner before departing tomorrow. Overnight YHA Katoomba

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
Transfer to airport, fly to Melbourne

This morning we rise for breakfast before heading to Sydney Airport for your flight to Melbourne

Meals: B

Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.

Inclusions

What's included

Flights ex Melbourne to Sydney return
Professional wilderness guide/s
All transfers by vehicle through out
8 nights camping
Meals as per the itinerary
National Park fees
Group camping equipment including all cooking and eating equipment
Emergency communications and group first aid kit
Transfers to/from the start of walks within the Warrumbungle National Park

What's not included

Travel insurance
Sleeping bag
Meals on remote trek days

Grading

Challenging

We believe our walking adventures are heaps of fun, and we want to ensure you have the best experience possible. It’s important to us that you have the fitness and skills to enjoy your time with us so please read on. For our full day bush walking experiences, participants require a good level of fitness and must be willing and able to walk over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. In order to complete this walk you should already have a good level of fitness and ideally undertake regular exercise three or fours times a week. Experience hill walking with a day pack is recommended. Participants will get the most out of their walk if they feel comfortable walking up and down stairs and on uneven ground.

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

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School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Testimonials

Videos

Stargazing in Warrumbungle National Park

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