Mount Budawang Trail is an 8km, grade 4 hike located in Budawang National Park, New South Wales. The hike should take around 4 hours to complete.
Warning
This park is in a remote location and weather can be unpredictable €“ please ensure you're well-prepared.
Hike overview
Mount Budawang trail is a challenging yet rewarding walk, cutting through several environments; from grassy woodland to montane forest, and finishing at the summit for scenic views. This is bushwalking at its best for those with a keen sense of adventure. Pull on your hiking boots and get ready to sweat, you should be fit and well-prepared with lots of water and a map as this day walk, to the summit of Mount Budawang, is more taxing than its modest distance of 4km suggests.
Threading through a diverse range of environments €“ grassy woodland, wet gullies, montane forest and grassland at the top €“ you're exposed to a terrific cross-section of what makes Budawang National Park wilderness. The rare Budawang wallaby grass, for example, is only found on the summits of Mount Budawang and Currockbilly Mountain.
Bring binoculars for birdwatching, too €“ crescent honeyeaters and olive whistlers are known to frequent higher areas of the park. The ascent is about 430m up a steep-sided mountain range, but the scenic views from Mount Budawang are tremendous, with 360-degree views of the surrounding area. To the north, along the Budawang Range, are the Castle and Pigeon House Mountain Didthul. To the east are Durras Mountain and the NSW coast. Down below is the forested Clyde River valley, and further afield west you can see all the way to Braidwood's Mount Gillamatong.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 1134 m
Min elevation: 724 m
Total climbing: 423 m
Total descent: -423 m
Trail location
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Getting there
Mount Budawang trail is at the southern precinct of Budawang National Park. To get there from Braidwood or Mongarlowe. From Charleys Forest Road or Little River Road, turn onto Northangera Road through Mongarlowe, then onto Budawang Road near the fire station. Travel a further 1.8km, then veer right at the intersection through a gate. Follow the signs for another 5km to the carpark. You'll need to go through several farm gates €“ make sure you leave them as you find them.
Check the weather before you set out as the road to Mount Budawang can become boggy when it rains. Parking is available at the start of Mount Budawang trail.
Gallery
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About the region
Budawang National Park is declared a wilderness area, with hiking, river camping, swimming and scenic views for advanced, well-equipped travellers.
Budawang National Park is wilderness. Rugged and isolated, it's full of steep mountainsides and tall moist forests. There are glossy black-cockatoos in tall eucalypt forests, shallow rivers, and wallabies in patches of grassland.
The park derives its name from one of its dominant features, Mount Budawang €“ whose name is a variation of the Aboriginal word €˜Buddawong'. The prominence of its peak meant it was used to light signal fires and to observe the movement of people between the highlands and the coast.
Today, this park is perfect for adventurers and experienced trekkers who will love the walking through remote areas and river camping opportunities. If you're looking for a place to truly get away from the civilised world, Budawang offers a ready haven. Hiking in the park is suitable for fit and experienced bushwalkers equipped with sufficient water and survival gear. There are formal and informal walking tracks, meaning this is a perfect place to set off into the bush with a map and GPS.
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Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
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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.