Trail summary

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Quick overview: Experience the rugged beauty of Australia on the Homestead Gorge walking track. This 7.5km, Grade 5 (Difficult) trail, located near the main town, offers a unique blend of scenic views, cultural heritage, and wildlife spotting. Walk alongside Homestead Creek, marvel at ancient Aboriginal rock engravings, and keep an eye out for native wildlife such as wallabies, emus, and a vibrant array of birds. Finish with the breathtaking sight of a mirror-still rockhole after rain. A must-visit for seasoned hikers and bushwalkers.

Length: 7.5km

Duration: 3-4 hrs

Grade 5 (Difficult)

Style: Return

Start: Homestead Creek Picnic Area

End: Homestead Creek Picnic Area

Location: Mutawintji National Park

State: New South Wales

Nearby town: Broken Hill

From state capital: 1,156km

Latitude: -31.27814740295782

Longitude: 142.29745427434773

Hike Overview

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Hike overview

The Homestead Gorge walking track offers a rewarding experience for hikers seeking scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and wildlife encounters. This moderately challenging 7.5-kilometer trail winds along Homestead Creek, nestled between towering red cliffs adorned with ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. The hike typically takes 3-4 hours to complete.

Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for native wildlife. You might spot wallabies and emus grazing in the open areas, or catch a glimpse of a goanna basking on a sun-warmed rock. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the vibrant array of birds flitting through the vegetation, best observed with a pair of binoculars.

If you visit after a period of rain, you might be rewarded with a stunning sight at the trail's end: a large, mirror-still rockhole reflecting the surrounding landscape.

Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.

Tips

Red markers are strategically placed to guide you along the trail. Pay close attention to their direction to stay on course.
Mutawintji National Park is best visited during autumn, winter and spring when daytime weather is pleasant. Summer in the outback can be very hot. Outback NSW can be very hot in summer. If travelling at this time be well prepared for the extreme conditions.
In wet weather, access within the park maybe closed, and the public roads are susceptible to weather closures. Please check with the park office before you head out.
Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird watch.
Toilets and picnic facilities are located at the Homestead Creek campground.

Map and GPX file

Homestead Gorge Trail Walk (7.5km)

Total distance: 6310 m
Max elevation: 252 m
Min elevation: 210 m
Total climbing: 130 m
Total descent: -131 m

Download file: Homestead-Gorge-Trail-Walk.gpx

Getting there

Homestead Gorge Trail Walk (7.5km)

Accessing the Homestead Gorge Walking Track is straightforward. After entering Mutawintji National Park, simply continue past the visitor center for about 2 kilometers along the main road. You'll find the designated parking area and trailhead conveniently located at Homestead Creek picnic area on your right. Remember, since the access road is unsealed, checking weather conditions beforehand is crucial to ensure a smooth journey.

Accessing Mutawintji National Park: Mutawintji National Park is approximately 130 kilometers northeast of Broken Hill. The journey is via an unsealed gravel road, typically well-maintained in dry weather. However, heavy rain can cause closures. Always check road conditions with local authorities before venturing out. Drivers from Broken Hill have two route options: follow the Silver City Highway towards Tibooburra, keeping an eye out for the well-marked Mutawintji National Park turnoff. Alternatively, take the Barrier Highway for 75 kilometers before turning onto the designated park access road.

Upon arrival at the park, Mootwingee Road serves as the main entry point. Parking options include Homestead Creek campground and picnic area. While two-wheel drive (2WD) vehicles can access the park, remember these are unsealed roads. Extreme weather conditions can significantly impact road quality. Park access is restricted to dry weather only, as heavy rain can make the unsealed roads impassable.

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Track grade

Grade 5 (Difficult) - Walks for the Most Experienced: Grade 5 represents the most challenging walking tracks on the AWTGS. These are only recommended for very experienced and fit walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 kilometers. These challenging walks demand a high level of fitness and experience to navigate difficult terrain, significant elevation changes, and potentially unformed paths.

About the region

In the rugged outback of New South Wales, Mutawintji National Park offers a uniquely Australian experience. This ancient landscape, northwest of Broken Hill, boasts a rich Aboriginal heritage spanning millennia. Evidence of their presence can be found throughout the park, from significant cultural sites to famous hand stencil art adorning the vibrant red cliffs of the Bynguano Ranges.

Mutawintji National Park showcases the classic Australian outback. Explore a network of red dirt roads, winding through dramatic gorges and vast deserts. The ever-changing hues of the Bynguano Ranges paint a majestic backdrop, while the expansive saltbush and mulga plains stretch endlessly towards the horizon, offering a true escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The park holds deep cultural significance for the traditional owners, the Pantjikali, Wanyuparlku, Wilyakali and Malyangapa people. For thousands of years, Mutawintji has served as a crucial meeting place for Aboriginal communities, hosting gatherings of up to 1,000 people for ceremonies like initiations and rainmaking rituals.

An easy walk, suitable for wheelchairs, leads you to the splendor of Mutawintji's gorges and the rocky overhang known as Thaaklatjika (Wright's Cave). Here, captivating artworks – paintings, stencils, and engravings – depict the rich history of the area, showcasing both pre-colonial and colonial Aboriginal life alongside native animals like kangaroos and emus.

Despite its peaceful ambiance, Mutawintji is teeming with wildlife. Look out for soaring predators like wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons. The air comes alive with the calls of noisy short-billed corellas, zebra finches, budgerigars, apostle birds, and magpies. Keep an eye out for slithering goannas and snakes, and don't miss the chance to spot members of the endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby – the largest and brightest-colored rock-wallaby in Australia, found only on the park's rocky ridges.

Begin your exploration at the Mutawintji Visitor Centre to gather valuable information and park permits. Choose from a variety of campsites, including Homestead Creek campground. Hiking options cater to all abilities, ranging from the easy Thaaklatjika Mingkana walking track to more challenging adventures like the Rockholes Loop walking track or Mutawintji Gorge walking track.

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Homestead Gorge Trail Walk (7.5km)

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Gear to consider

What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, time of year, the type of adventure, and your personal preferences. Unsure what gear to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists offer a great starting point, covering essentials for day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them as a guide to customise your kit to suit your needs, always prioritising safety above all else.

Explore safe

Plan ahead and hike safely! Always carry enough water and pack clothing layers to adapt to changing conditions. Bring essential safety gear, including a torch, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), and a reliable communication device. Check official government sources for trail updates, temporary closures, and access requirements. Before heading out, review local weather and bushfire advice, including warnings and planned burns. Most importantly, let someone know your plans before you go. Being prepared ensures a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe

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Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Trail summary

Hike overview

Tips

Map and GPX file

Homestead Gorge Trail Walk (7.5km)