Warrumbungles

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Completing a circuit around the jagged Breadknife is a steep hike taking about five hours.

The Warrumbungles is the name of a mountain range and National Park located in northern New South Wales, Australia. The nearest town to the Warrumbungles is Coonabarabran. The area is easiest accessed from the Newell Highway which is the major road link directly between Melbourne, Victoria and Brisbane, Queensland and cuts across inland New South Wales from the north to the south.

The Warrumbungles were part of a shield volcano that is estimated to have been active 13 million years ago. The first European to site and explore the areas was John Oxley in 1818.

The range lies between the moist eastern coastal zone and the dryer plains to the west. Due this position the mountains have provided protection for flora and fauna suited to both habitats. There are over 120 different bird species that have been identified on the range, including lorikeets, rosellas and parrots.

The main features of the Warrumbungle mountains are a series of huge, jagged outcrops, surrounded by hilly bush and woodland forest. The Grand High Tops, is a section of the range where volcanic remnants are especially clustered. These vents and rocky formations are all named - Belgourie Spire, Belgourie Split Rock, Cater Bluff, Bluff Mountain, The Breadknife and Mount Exmouth. The Breadknife, a straight wall of jagged rock nearly 100 metres high, is particularly rare.

There is an extensive network of nine walking tracks across the central peaks. The Siding Spring Observatory is situated on an eastern peak. The area has little light pollution to disturb astronomical viewing. The Warrumbungles hosted the 2006 World Rogaining Chapionships.

In the centre of the range is a natural crater. This has served as a form of protection for a healthy and content colony of grey kangarooss. These animals have become fairly tame due to constant visitor attention and are easily approached.