Mt Kaputar NP, near Narrabri

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 04:33
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Worth a look. Spectacular geology is like the Warrumbungles. The mountain rises to 1500m and locals say you can see 10% of NSW from it.

There are two campgrounds (not for caravans) accessed by a narrow road, one at 1150 m and the other at about 1450 m.

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/mount-kaputar-national-park/visitor-info
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Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 05:37

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 05:37
Wonderful place .......... and hot showers as well !!! No problems with our camper, but caravans are too big.

Cheers
Jim
"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.

"No road is long with good company." Traditional

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Follow Up By: Gronk - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 06:48

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 06:48
Several caravans might be a bit tight, but all doable with a caravan.
A nice drive up the other side of the Mt from Barraba .......without towing though..
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Reply By: rumpig - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 06:22

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 06:22
Be sure to also visit Sawn Rocks in a seperate section of the park...this section is easily accessed with a van on the back for those travelling through, it’s got a largish car park area right beside the main road and a short walk to view it.
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Reply By: Gbc.. - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 06:57

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 06:57
It snowed there on Monday. Very pretty place there is an easy 4wd scenic track you can book through npws and need to collect a key to do. I found out too late for our last visit.
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Follow Up By: Gronk - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 18:28

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 18:28
From Barraba.....yeh, a nice run up an old access track.
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Reply By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 07:07

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 07:07
The Barraba dirt track is closed due to bushfire. Ditto a number of walks but several are still open.

I wonder whether the top camp, Dawson Springs, mightn't be the highest car and CT accessible campground in the country.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 08:27

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 08:27
I think Point Lookout in New England National Park is a touch higher than Kaputar.
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 08:30

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 08:30
Spent a couple of nights up there in late '50's, during school holidays. My parents, a school mate & I, in 2 Paddy Palin japara tents. Was like being on top of the world! Not another soul up there, that I recall.

Bob

Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 08:42

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 08:42
Ah yes, PP japara. Remember those.
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Follow Up By: Member - JOHN C16 - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 19:32

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 19:32
I had a japara jacket in the 70’s. It was waterproof, tough and versatile. On one occasion I had to walk through dense blackberries wearing shorts. I grabbed the japara, turned it upside down, put my legs through the sleeves and tied the hem around my waist. Combined with gaiters I was untouchable. Got through without a scratch.

Cheers, John
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Reply By: Member - Warrie (NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 09:52

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 09:52
Was up in Narrabri in 2016 and Kaputar enshrouded in fog . Last year clear as a bell. As to 10% it's just folklore not fact.
A bit of Physics. 1524 m x 12.5 then get sq root gives distance to horizon in km. Gives 138 km. Then pi x 138 squared = area of your circle of view, giving about 60,000 sq km, NSW is 800,000 sq km so if land was flat in all directions and down to sea level, then from the summit you could see 7.5 %. Too hilly to east of Kaputar but westward OK so maybe you can really see 5% of NSW.
A table of useful data: Height = 2m ( approx eye level )so horizon =5km. H = 8m h =10 km. H = 32 m - a cliff at coast say, then h = 20 km. H = 128 m - big cliff so h = 40 km. H = 512 m so h = 80km. H =2048m - a bit more than Mt Kosci then h =160km. In theory you should be able to see the coast at Eden, but other hills get in the way. Jet plane at 8200 m has h =320 km but it's just too far and the air will have too many particles to see any sharp horizon. Area of Oz iz 7.7 million sq km so from the plane you can see 321, 000 sq km which would be 40 % of NSW or 4% of Oz.... W
Warrie

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Follow Up By: Gramps - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 10:07

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 10:07
My brain hurts :(

Regards
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 10:26

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 10:26
The cold hard view of science!

It is still awe inspiring looking over the western plains on a clear day.
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Follow Up By: ian.g - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 15:33

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 15:33
Warrie must have been a school teacher in another life.
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Follow Up By: RMD - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 16:28

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 16:28
Warrie is just a smart bloke and a thinking person. Good info to set others thinking straight.

ian.g. What makes you think he must have been a teacher. Although some are good there is plenty far smarter in the general community. Most teachers have never left the "institution".
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Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 13:32

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 13:32
We spent 5 days there last June/July 2019, it is stunning with plenty to see inside and outside the Park. Pay by honesty box and it was about $8 a night. Was freezing at night as its at a high altitude, fantastic views from lookouts, well worth the trip there. Michael.
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Reply By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 13:39

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 13:39
Just a note that all NSW NP campsites have to be booked online now.
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Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Thursday, Jul 16, 2020 at 16:22

Thursday, Jul 16, 2020 at 16:22
I think that may have come into affect with the virus, hopefully they will reverse this later on but somehow i don't think so. Its really inconvenient having to book in advance and stick to a timetable. Michael
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Reply By: Keith B2 - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 15:43

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 15:43
Dumb question maybe, but here goes....
I have a 14 ft high clearance off road poptop caravan. It is the same width and track as the modified 200 Series that tows it. It is no longer or wider than many camper trailers, but it sits about 600mm higher than the tow. I am an experienced 4WD'er and have all the necessary recovery gear (which I am not the least bit interested in using).
Would this rig be suitable for getting into these campgrounds? Or would the overall bulk of the rig be a problem?
Cheers
Keith
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 16:07

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 16:07
You'd be OK.
Bark Hut campground has sloping sites and a few flat; Dawson Springs has more flat sites but get there early.
Both have hot showers.
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Follow Up By: Keith B2 - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 16:27

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 16:27
Thanks Sigmund.
We have all the mod cons including onboard composting loo and grey water tank . Camping far away from the showers always suits us best.
Keith
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Follow Up By: Member - Warrie (NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 16:55

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 16:55
Yes, the $64 question re campers are allowed in and is your rig too big? How many metres from your tow ball to rear end of your 14 footer? And how does this compare to a camper trailer. There must be 150 brands on the market, big and small. IMO having been up from the Narrabri side last spring, the road is tar most of the way and your rig would make it. Depends who you meet and how grumpy they might be LOL. We also have a 14 footer which we left in town and did the half day trip. If you camped up top that would more time for walks etc. Hope its as clear as when we were there... W
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 19:57

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2020 at 19:57
CTs are allowed.
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Follow Up By: rumpig - Thursday, Jul 16, 2020 at 06:50

Thursday, Jul 16, 2020 at 06:50
Towed our rear fold camper trailer up there 2 years ago, the road itself is an easy drive and much of it bitumin, biggest issue is the one lane sections of road that would cause issues if you meet an oncoming vehicle (especially if they are towing also). We stayed at Bark Hut camp I think it was, not much in the way of level ground there, think we set up in the day use car park in the end for our overnight stay.
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Reply By: Winner W - Friday, Jul 17, 2020 at 06:27

Friday, Jul 17, 2020 at 06:27
Thanx for posting this. We flew over this area from Brisbane to Adelaide a few years ago and I noted the mountain ridge feature but could not pinpoint it. Now I have to visit it.
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Friday, Jul 17, 2020 at 06:46

Friday, Jul 17, 2020 at 06:46
Welcome.
It's in the same area as the Warrumbungles which are also spectacular and easier to access. But there you have to walk, and scramble, for the best views.
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Reply By: Michael H9 - Friday, Jul 17, 2020 at 07:46

Friday, Jul 17, 2020 at 07:46
How do they pronounce Kaputar? Is there more emphasis on the pu or the tar?
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Follow Up By: Member - Jim S1 - Friday, Jul 17, 2020 at 08:35

Friday, Jul 17, 2020 at 08:35
I thought the main emphasis was on "Kap" , and secondary emphasis on "tar" .

Cheers
Jim
"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.

"No road is long with good company." Traditional

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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 18, 2020 at 16:22

Saturday, Jul 18, 2020 at 16:22
Yes, I always thought it was KAP-oo-tar.
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Follow Up By: Member - Jim S1 - Saturday, Jul 18, 2020 at 16:33

Saturday, Jul 18, 2020 at 16:33
OK, I have found one semi-official pronunciation..........

"The Mt. Kaputar (pronounced cap you tar) " .......

A recent feature of the Kaputar National Park are the Giant Pink Slugs of Kaputar, a species of slug found only on the summit area of Mt. Kaputar."

Haven't seen the Giant Pink Slugs yet ........ maybe next time !

Cheers
Jim

"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.

"No road is long with good company." Traditional

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Follow Up By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Saturday, Jul 18, 2020 at 16:53

Saturday, Jul 18, 2020 at 16:53
Pronunciation
I don't know how Kaputar is pronounced in Kamillaroi/Gomeroi (local indigenous language), but Narrabri and Barraba locals pronounce it "Cap er tar"

Mark
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Follow Up By: Michael H9 - Sunday, Jul 19, 2020 at 08:03

Sunday, Jul 19, 2020 at 08:03
I'll go with that one. I always pronounce my caps with a "c" instead of a "k" as well. :-) So a bit like capita as in per capita?
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