Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops, Warrumbungle National Park NSW

The must do circuit walk in the Warrumbungles, taking in famous views of the Breadknife from Grand High Tops, and a visit to Bluff Mountain (1200m) where there are more great views.

Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles

The Grand High Tops Circuit with an added side trip to Bluff Mountain (1200m) is arguably the best walk in the Warrumbungles, especially for views. From Grand High Tops there are classic views of the pleasingly named rock formation, The Breadknife, which is a tall, thin and sheer slice of rock that you pass on the way up. There are also great views of nearby Crater Bluff, and of Belougery Spire, both prominent and striking hunks of rock.

We added a short side trip to Macha Tor also, which can be visited on Gould’s Circuit, although we didn’t do the full circuit.  This is a good way to start the walk (if you do it clockwise), as there are open views of most of the park’s main features viewed from below. Nearby Spirey View lookout is not as good, although that is easily accessible just off the main track.

Track notes at the end. Another good walk in the park is the climb up nearby Mt Exmouth

Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit: The Scenery

Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Sunrise on the drive in. You can just see the observatory poking out centre right.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Early on in the walk.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Some of the wildlife, and a kangaroo.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
A panorama from Macha Tor. Belougery Spire to the left, then the Breadknife, and to the far right, Bluff Mountain.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Belougery Spire
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
The Breadknife up close.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Crater Bluff, and in the distance, Tonduron Spire. This was first climbed in the 30’s by two people, one of whim, the lead climber, was a lady who preferred to climb in bare feet.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
The classic view from Grand High Tops. The Breadknife centre.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
The Breadknife
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
A panorama from Grand High Tops. The Breadknife centre left, and Belougery Spire to the right.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
The view from Grand High Tops, with a bit of zoom.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Sophia waiting patiently for me to take pictures. This taken as we descended from Grand High Tops.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Crater Bluff again. I liked the colourful trees in the foreground. Quite a bit of colour in this shot compared to the usual muted hues of the area.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Crater Bluff, with Tonduron Spire in the background.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
On our way down from Grand High Tops.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Quite a few grass trees on the way up to Bluff Mountain, although not nearly so many as on Mt Exmouth, which we climbed the day before.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
A panorama from the upper slopes of Bluff Mountain. Mt Exmouth at the back.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Zoomed in on Tonduron Spire. It looks a bit taller from other angles, but a nice profile nevertheless.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
A panorama from the summit of Bluff Mountain (1200m). Belougery Spire and Crater Bluff to the right.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Mt Exmouth from Bluff Mountain.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Belougery Spire and Crater Bluff. Grand High Tops is between the two.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Bluff Mountain. We didn’t climb it from this angle. Maybe next time 😉
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Bluff Mountain (1200m)
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
A panorama from Wilderness Point, a viewpoint on our descent.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Possibly the same as one of the flowers I took a picture of on Mt Exmouth, only open.
Bluff Mountain & Grand High Tops Circuit, Warrumbungles
Returning to Pincham Car Park. Named after the leaseholder who relinquished his lease so the national park could be formed.


Track Notes

There’s info on the NPWS website, and below are a couple of signs I took pictures of, detailing information on this and other walks in the park…

Walks in Warrumbungle National Park

Map of walks in Warrumbungle National Park
The sign at Split Rock car park, (which is not where this walk starts from).

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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