BIG SKY COUNTRY

Over the many years we had travelled along the Newell Highway in northern New South Wales on our way to or from adventures in Queensland, we have contemplated the range of lofty peaks rising abruptly on the skyline to the east of Narrabri. On one such trip we decided to make the detour and investigate this dramatic landscape. It turned out to be the Mount Kaputar National Park and we were totally amazed by this ancient masterpiece of nature.

Following the brown national park signs through the back streets of Narrabri, we picked up Old Gunnedah Road, then Kaputar Road as it headed north-east beside Bullawa Creek through pleasant grazing country.

Because of their size and imposing bulk, the mountains seemed a lot closer than they were and we were surprised that it took almost half an hour to cover around 30km to the park entrance in the foothills.

At this point, visitors are confronted by a large sign advising ‘No caravans beyond