Belougery Split Rock Circuit - Katrina Hemingway

Best medium-length Warrumbungle NP walk.

If you like rock scrambling this relatively short walk is full of exhilarating moments together with fine views of the cleared central area and distant views of Grand High Tops.

**View of Belougery Split Rock from Split Rock Carpark**

Grade

4 – steep and rough in sections

Distance

4-6km return

Time

2.5 to 3hrs

Type

Circuit

I did this walk twice during this visit, in opposite directions on separate days, and enjoyed both experiences. They felt like different walks, except for the steep, well-marked rock scramble from the gated steps, with the ‘Danger Warning’ sign, which was as challenging both days.

Most regular walkers will find the short, steep scramble manageable and great fun. Inexperienced walkers and young children should give it a miss. As should the rest of us in wet weather, when the rocks will be slippery.

Location

Split Rock Carpark off John Renshaw Parkway

Description

This walk was one of my favourites. It has so much variety and challenges with epic views of the surrounding ranges.

Belougery Split Rock is a lava dome created from sticky lava flowing far from the vent it erupted from. Successive eruptions piled up on the older ones, creating a huge dome of rock. The split is probably the result of two or more different piles of lava building up beside each other (although still originating from the same vent).

Route 1 – anti-clockwise

For an easier approach, do it anticlockwise. Start from Burbie Fire Trail at the southern end of the car park. Continue on this path for about 600m before you see the Split Rock Circuit signpost on your left.

Australia’s east coast deluge has brought plenty of rain in 2022 making normally dry creek bed crossings fun.

There’s a lovely grove of acacia wattle here in spring. Too busy listening to the hay fever sufferers amongst us, I momentarily lose my concentration and smash my knees on the jagged dry creek bed rocks. Watch your step here. Don’t be a goose like me.

Concentration restored; the track reaches the creek’s watershed. From this saddle, the track turns left and climbs towards the fine-grained volcanic rock, called trachyte, which makes up Belougery Split Rock. A short distance further, the track drops over a knoll to the spur track, which climbs up to Split Rock’s summit (771m).

You must decide here if you want to enter the gated steps and rock scramble your way to the summit or rest. Leave your packs here to make the ascent easier. If hesitant, find a seat in the shade and have a relaxing break. The rest of your party will return from the summit shortly.

**No, she’s not on the phone. Just taking a breather on this tricky ascent**

Ascending, keep the metal supports on your right. Look for cut out steps, white painted dots and arrows, and reflective markers to guide you upwards. You’ll know you’ve reached the top when you see a large rock cairn with a key foundation rock painted ‘You Did It’ and a smaller, loose one saying ‘Never Give Up’. We found the small plaque a perfect addition to our selfie achievement moments.

To continue along the circuit, return to the main track and turn left, following the path around towards the split, but the gap is unimpressive from close quarters. From here, the track winds down around the dome’s eastern and northern faces before continuing in a series of steps to Split Rock Car Park where you’ll find two picnic tables. A perfect spot for an early lunch before doing the Burbie Canyon Trail extension in the early afternoon.

Route 2–clockwise

If you want a gentler descent at the end of this walk, begin in a clockwise direction from Split Rock carpark directly behind the picnic tables. It’s all up from here, with a gradual switchback ascent. Finally, you reach the gated step to approach the summit the same way as described in Route 1.

With brilliant weather today, it intrigued me to see what lay beyond the cairn summit. Could we reach the split in Belougery Split Rock which separates the two peaks? Easy. Only 100 metres further and you have a captivating view of the lava dome’s split.

**Reaching Belougery Split Rock’s Split**

**View of flatlands where Camp Blackman is located with Siding Spring Observatory, a speck on the horizon**

Descend the summit and return to Split Rock Car park in the opposite direction, via the Burbie Fire Trail.

**Unscathed this time walking through the dry creek bed amid the acacia wattle**