5
Moderate
Activities
  • Day walks
Accommodation
  • 5 nights camping
Meals
  • 5 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts

6 Days$AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: WME

Trip highlights

  • Expert photography advice & tutorials from Mike Edmondson throughout the trip
  • 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
  • Delicious evening meals cooked by our wilderness guides
  • Summits of Mt Bluff, Mt Exmouth, Lugh's Throne and Belougery Split Rock
  • Hike into the exquisite Pilliga Sandstone Caves

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.

Join acclaimed alpine photographer Mike Edmondson on this unique adventure into rural NSW, capturing the light as it fades over the volcanic rock formations, and then after sunset, have the opportunity to photograph the starlit Milky Way just above our private camp. Rather than technical camera talk, this tour will focus primarily on the “artistry of photography”. For most of Mike's working life he’s been creating beautiful art with his camera. Now he’s ready to share what he’s learned with other photographers interested in transforming their best compositions into striking works of art.

During this six day tour Mike will be discussing and giving practical demonstrations throughout as we take in all the Park has to offer, including hikes to the summit of Mt Bluff, Mt Exmouth, Lugh's Throne, Belougery Split Rock and famous Breadknife Gap, which offer close up views of the park's iconic rock formations.

This trip is not to be missed. We hope you can join us!

Activities:

Itinerary

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The group will aim to meet at Camp Walaay for approximately 3:00pm, at which time there will be a quick introduction to camp followed by a short walk on the Wambelong Nature Trail, where we will enjoy great views of our walk for tomorrow. Upon your return to camp there will be time to freshen up ready for a big welcome dinner prepared by your guides, before we sit around the campfire and discuss the itinerary for the next few days with Mike. Tonight we you will embark on a tour through the night sky with Donna the Astronomer - an entertaining astronomer and guide at Milroy Observatory. Together with Mike, you will discover planets, clusters, and nebulae illuminated by starlight and have the first chance to partake in some world-class astro photography. Walking distance: 2-3km

Meals:  D

After breakfast we head to the Burbie Canyon Walk before joining the Belougery Split Rock Circuit where we will make our way up the Belougery Split Rock, the first of many summits (7km). Here you will be gifted with your first expansive view of the Grand High Tops, with all the main Warrumbungle peaks in clear sight. We then return to the nearby Visitors Centre for an interpretive short walk before a short transfer or walk back to camp for a relaxing afternoon at camp. This evening, a short transfer will bring us White Gum Lookout for pre-dinner snacks and sunset views of the Warrumbungles National Park. Walking distance: up to 10km

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we recommend getting up with the sun and catching the first of the morning light, as the sun catches the top of Split Rock and the surrounding peaks. This is also the best time to get your wildlife photos in with the resident eastern grey Kangaroos. After a relaxed morning and scrumptious breakfast, we set off on a fantastic full day's walk from Camp Pincham, all the way up to Lugh's Throne and through past Balor Hut, Febar Tor (714m) and Breadknife Gap. Generally considered a challenging route, you will need to keep your pack weight to a minimum today in order to enjoy the gradual ascent up in to the centre of the Warrumbungles main rock formations. There will be plenty of opportunities to snap some great shots during 'golden hour' as the light changes on the prominent volcanic features, along with plenty more stories and advice by Mike throughout. Walking distance: 15-17km

Meals:  B,L,D

We have breakfast early this morning and take the 1hr drive out of the Warrumbungles to the neighbouring Pilliga National Park. Today we will transport back in time and walk in the footsteps of the Gamilaroi people along the short Sandstone Caves walking track in Pilliga Nature Reserve. You’ll pass through scenic forest to the impressive sandstone hills, with some containing ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. From here, we then travel back and stop off at the remote oasis that is Pilliga Pottery and enjoy a delicious brunch in the cafe. We recommend taking a look around the grounds and the pottery shop, and if you have a sweet tooth, tasting some of their locally made gelato. After lunch, we head back into the Warrumbungle National Park for a private tour of the Siding Spring Observatory - Australia's premier optical and infrared astronomical observatory. Here we will be taken to another galaxy and learn more about what makes the Warrumbungles such an incredible spot for world class star-gazing. Walking distance: 3km

Meals:  B,L,D

A full day hike today departing from the start of the track at Pincham Campsite to the rocky summit of Bluff Mountain (1200m) via West Spirey Creek Track. 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 return via the same trail. This evening after an early dinner we will enjoy a short walk to set up for some evening star gazing. Walking distance: 16km

Meals:  B,L,D

For our final morning at camp, we get an early start on the day and head back to Camp Pinchman, for a short walk up to Fans Horizon for our last sunrise together as a group. before departing for Katoomba. A short and relatively steep walk to the lookout will reward us with spectacular views of the Grand High Tops as the sun begins to kiss the volcanic rock around us. Once we've finally filled our memory cards to the max for the week, we head back to camp for breakfast, before parting ways. You are free to either get away in good time in your own vehicle or enjoy a nice hot shower before being transferred back to Katoomba with the group transfer.

Meals:  B

Inclusions

What's included

  • Professional photographic tuition
  • Professional wilderness guides
  • 5 nights camping
  • 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners, and hot drinks
  • National Park fees
  • Group camping equipment including all cooking and eating equipment, camp chairs and tables, safari tent with stretcher bed and mattress
  • Transfers to/from the start of walks within the Warrumbungle National Park
  • Emergency communications and group first aid kit

  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Backpack/s
  • Transport to and from Warrumbungle National Park
  • Items of a personal nature: alcoholic beverages, car parking etc
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal COVID-Safe face masks and hand sanitiser
  • Sleeping bag hire

About Your Leader

Tassie-2&#160;-&#160;<i>Photo:&#160;Mike Edmondson</i>

Mike Edmondson has been a professional photographer for over thirty years. The mountains, snow and the bush have been part of his life since he was small, travelling with his family to Kiandra in a two cylinder Bradford to ski and bushwalk.

These early years instilled within Mike a deep connection with the Australian Alps. Drawn back into the mountains time and again to explore this unique area, Mike's camera became a tool to record the unforgettable images of the Snowy Mountains.

What began as a hobby has become a passion. For Mike, the underlying principle is an appreciation and love of the outdoors. His images reference journeys through the mountains, visions of the natural world to share. Feeling love and a connection for each other and the environment is the first step to finding peace, happiness and compassion in a busy world.

Mike has won many photographic awards. Most recently, in 2013 his photo "Mt Geryon" was selected from over 250 entries as a contender for the 2014 IceInSpace Astronomy Calendar.

From 1981 to 2005 Mike owned and managed the Paddy Pallin Outdoor Adventure shop in Jindabyne. From here he started guiding people into the backcountry of Kosciuszko and used his photography skills to market the business. He also opened the first photographic gallery in Jindabyne - showcasing the very best of his alpine photography.

A stunning overview of his current favourite images can be seen on his personal website at https://mikeedmondson.com.au/galleries.php

Accommodation

Camping

On this trip you will spend 5 nights camped at a basecamp within the Warrumbungle National Park at Camp Walaay where there are toilets and drinking water. Shower amenities are a short walk away.

We provide strong, 2 person, 'Safari style' tents with stretchers beds with comfortable mattresses.

Suitability

Moderate

5

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.

Departure dates


Notes

DN1
A supplement applies for departures that overlap with a public holiday.

Priceper person from

$AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single Private TentAUD$200
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Warrumbungles Photography Hike with Mike Edmondson trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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You may experience a great range of temperatures on any day in the park. In summer it is generally hot in the daytime and temperatures often exceed 30C. In contrast, winter can be very cold and the temperature can drop below freezing at night. Springtime is a lovely time to be in the Park with more moderate weather. In early spring, the wildflowers are in bloom, including a huge variety of golden wattle flowers. Rainfall is also highly variable, ranging from drought to prolonged wet periods. Less rain falls on the western side of the park than on the eastern side. December to February are generally the wettest months and thunderstorms are common in mid to late summer.

Our trips run from April through to October to avoid the heat and rain of summer.

Day time temperatures range as follows throughout the year:

April: 16-23 degrees Celsius

May: 8-18 degrees Celsius

June: 6-14 degrees Celsius

July: 5-13 degrees Celsius

August: 5-16 degrees Celsius

September: 9-20 degrees Celsius

October: 12-24 degrees Celsius

Yes, you will have coverage for most of the trip.

Yes, the kitchen area near the campsite has electricity so you can charge your devices.

Trip reviews

Videos

Stargazing in Warrumbungle National Park

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.