Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park NSW

Lots of impressive boulders on this walk through Cathedral Rock National Park, and expansive views over the New England High Country.

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park

This route climbs Cathedral Rock, the (almost) high point of the New England Tablelands at about 1580m, and goes on to visit the attractive Woolpack Rocks. There are various interesting boulder formations throughout the walk, and expansive views from on top of the two main rock formations. You start above 1300m, so only moderate effort required on an undulating track to visit these destination points.

There was also quite a bit of bird life in the area, including Wedge-tailed Eagles riding the thermals. Cathedral Rock attracts the crowds a bit, but once you continue on to Woolpack Rocks it will be quieter, and in fact we didn’t see anyone else on this section. Track notes at the end.

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks: The Scenery

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Sophia inside a tree.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Big boulders!

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
A natural seat on the summit of Cathedral Rock.

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Sophia on the summit of Cathedral Rock (~1580m).

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Sophia photo-bombing my shot of rock formations.

 

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
I thought the distant rocks were Woolpack Rocks at first, but they weren’t. Not sure if they are named.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Nice lighting.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
An Eastern Spinebill.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
An Eastern Spinebill.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Interesting bark.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
I liked the plants growing on this boulder, which looked a bit like hair.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Another angle on that hairy boulder.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Lots of boulder formations along these tracks.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Sophia at Woolpack Rocks.

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Some of Woolpack Rocks, from a spot just a little past the official track ending.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
More boulders.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
I liked the symmetrical shape of this rock.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
The forest was quite nice and a little bit varied.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Near the start.

 

Cathedral Rock & Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park
Open vegetation at he start.

Track Notes

  1. There’s information on the park’s walking options on the NPWS website. We walked from Barokee Campground to Cathedral Rock, where there’s a bit of a scramble to get to the top. After descending from the summit we continued on to Woolpack Rocks. From there we returned to the Cathedral Rock track and completed the circuit back to Barokee Campground. All obvious and signposted.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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