The best camping near Warrumbungle National Park

Few camping destinations come with a higher star rating than Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran in western NSW. Proclaimed Australia’s first Dark Sky Park in 2016, it’s famous for its clear atmosphere and stellar stargazing, as well as the nearby Siding Springs Observatory, home to the largest telescope in Australia. Millenia ago, the Warrumbungles peaks were a huge shield volcano, and today many of the walking tracks lead to fantastic rock formations, including the park’s famous Bread Knife, a 600-metre-long, 100-metre-high sliver of rock that was formed when magma forced its way through a long crack in the bedrock. It’s just one of many highlights on the four-hour walk on the Grand High Tops Track—there are some steep sections but the panoramic views are worth the effort.

• Best for families: Camp Blackman, the park’s largest and most popular campground, has 105 sites, including 32 with power. Facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, a public phone and shelters with gas/electric barbecues.
• Best for stargazing: The much more basic but usually less crowded Camp Wambelong camping area is a large, open, grassy creekside area popular with kangaroos. This is a good base if you’re planning on hiking the park’s walking tracks. The camping area is suitable for caravans, but there are no picnic tables or showers—just basic pit toilets.

1. All campsites in NSW national parks must be pre-booked before you arrive online or by phone.
2. Camping areas can be very busy during spring and autumn school holidays, Easter, and the October long weekend. Book well in advance, particularly if you want a powered caravan site.

The Coonabarabran district enjoys four distinct seasons—a hot summer, cold winter, and a very pleasant autumn and spring, which is the best time to see wildflowers such  as the masses of golden wattle. Skies are clear all year but at their best during winter—just make sure you have lots of warm clothing and a good sleeping bag.

• Warrumbungle National Park is 35 kilometres west of Coonabarabran.
• Campfires are allowed, but you’ll need to bring your own firewood. Generators are prohibited.
• Special rules apply when camping in a Dark Sky Park in order to minimise light pollution. All camp lights must face downward and be hung beneath an awning if possible. Avoid using very bright lights and turn off all lights when you can.
• If travelling with kids, keep an eye out for the 3D scale models of the solar system that line the five main roads into Coonabarabran (called the World's Largest Virtual Solar System Drive). Each planet stop has lots of quirky space facts.