fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Warrumbungles Dark Sky Adventure

Warrumbungles Dark Sky Adventure

From $ 2,200 AUD

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print
,

Description

Venture past the Blue Mountains to the forested and artisanal heart of New South Wales on this five-day Warrumbungles adventure. From Sydney, jump on the road with a group of like-minded travellers bound for regional delights, including produce tastings, wilderness walks through verdant national parks, visits to The Dish observatory and the Three Sisters lookout, and local insight into First Nations cultures in the area. Passing by Katoomba, Orange, Mudgee and a whole host of local outposts, you’ll get a true sense of what regional Australia is all about – keeping it local and nothing but laidback.

Trip Name
Warrumbungles Dark Sky Adventure
Last Updated
2021-08-22
Days
5
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Discover the natural wonder of the lesser-known Warrumbungle National Park on a number of occasions, including time with a First Nations park ranger, who will share local insight into the land.
  • Spend the night admiring the night sky as you stargaze in a certified Dark Sky Park at your perfectly located wilderness accommodation close to Warrumbungle National Park. Here’s hoping the sky is clear!
  • A true Aussie road trip is nothing without seeing something ‘big’. On your journey, stop by the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope – or The Dish – and learn its importance in the global space program.
  • With the days full of exploring, spend your afternoons and evenings relaxing beside wine flights, produce platters and indulging in gourmet meals at local establishments with your small group.
  • In this part of the country, it’s all about going with the flow. Take your time on the road stopping at small towns – like Dundedoo – and stretch your legs with a number of leader-led walks.

Itinerary

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURAL EXPERIENCES & COMMUNITIES Due to cultural sensitivities, entry to particular parts of local First Nations communities may be unavailable. Where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guides are unavailable in the Red Centre an Intrepid leader will lead the interpretive cultural walk. Top End cultural experiences are only available during the dry season (May-Oct) as sites are subject to flooding. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guides may be absent due to cultural commitments with minimal prior notification and Intrepid reserves the right to amend the itinerary in these circumstances with no obligation to refund.

Day 1 - Sydney – Blue Mountains – Orange
Welcome to Sydney! Your adventure begins this morning at a centrally located point – check the ‘Joining Point Instructions’ of your Essential Trip Information for further details. Once you’ve introduced yourself to your group leader and travel group, it’s time to hit the road! Leave the city behind, take a coffee stop en route and begin breathing in the fresh air of the Blue Mountains. Your first stop is one of Australia’s most renowned vistas – the Three Sisters and Echo Point Lookout. Stretch your legs and have your camera handy for some awesome shots. Continue your journey west hugging the range, keeping your eyes peeled for kangaroos, emus and wedge-tailed eagles in and above the plains. Grab yourself some lunch as you continue your drive towards Orange, arriving in the mid-afternoon. After a reasonable amount of driving today, it’s time to relax. Join the group as your friendly hosts provide a spread of local wines and produce to welcome you to regional NSW. Afterwards, freshen up then keep the festivities going for an included welcome dinner and drink. Today is all about introductions, so after dinner perhaps head with a couple of your newfound mates for a shot of pool and a couple of drinks.
Day 2 - Parkes – Warrumbungle National Park
Thinking that just because you’ve left Sydney, the brunch scene won’t follow you? Think again. Treat yourself to a gourmet breakfast at an Orange cafe with your group, with sweet and savoury options, plus some great coffee. Continue towards Parkes – home of the mighty CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope. The Dish, made famous by the 2000 Australian film of the same name, has been crucial in receiving data from space exploration, including during the Apollo 11 mission. After exploring the site, continue to Warrumbungle National Park. Formed over millions of years, the Warrumbungle region is a bushwalker, birdwatcher and stargazer’s dream. This afternoon, hear from a local ranger the First Nations history of this area – the wildlife, nature, geography and cultural significance of this land. Take the time to ask questions and understand the importance of this region to traditional owners. Afterwards, retire to your nearby accommodation, nestled in a valley and flanked by the Castlereagh River. Tonight, head to Peter Starr’s Warrumbungle Observatory and experience an eye-opening 90-minute astronomy and stargazing presentation. Learn about how to navigate the night sky, see up to four telescopes in action, and get the chance to snap some incredible shots of the Milky Way. This area is home to Australia’s first Dark Sky Park, so no pollution or light will impede your view of constellations on full display.
Day 3 - Warrumbungle NP
Enjoy a hearty included breakfast, then head back to visit the Warrumbungle National Park another time on a leader-led walk. Depending on your group’s desires and fitness level, there is a range of walks in the national park that you can discuss at the visitor centre, including the Spirey View Track (approximately 2 hours) or to Whitegum Lookout (30 minutes). There may even be some better trails if you are all interested in a spot of birdwatching this morning. Later in the afternoon, you have plenty of time to explore the area at your own pace, or instead simply chill out back at your accommodation. Here, there’s a pool and a three-hole golf course, so take your pick at how you’ll relax!
Day 4 - Warrumbungle NP – Mudgee
Have some breakfast with your group surrounded by the mountains before setting off on a drive towards the historical, cultural and epicurean highlights of the region. Make your way to the regional town of Gulgong, home to the Henry Lawson Museum – the revered Australian writer and bush poet. After soaking up some stanzas and Gulgong’s small-town feel, continue to Mudgee, where you’ll head to a couple wine and produce tastings at local haunts. If you haven’t realised by now, regional NSW is renowned for its high quality and locally sourced produce, and especially wines. And while on holiday, it’s all the more reason to get a true taste of a place, so indulge yourself! Tonight, celebrate your regional NSW adventure with your group, perhaps with dinner and some drinks in town. There are plenty of places within walking distance of your comfortable accommodation tonight, so ask your leader their recommendations.
Day 5 - Hunter Valley – Sydney
Continue to be impressed by regional NSW’s food scene with some breakfast at a local cafe, before joining the travel group in your private vehicle for a road trip back to Sydney via the back roads through Broke, Woollobi and the renowned Hunter Valley. Today is a relaxed day with plenty of stops along the way to stretch your legs, buy some food and appreciate the scenery at viewpoints. Plus in the afternoon, you’ll stop by a boutique winery in the Hunter Valley for a tasting, further reinforcing how good the region’s drop is. Arrive back in Sydney in the late afternoon, bound for the central Mcleay Hotel, where the tour finishes on arrival.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-11-202115-11-2021AUD $ 2,200-

Accommodation

Rainforest Retreat (1 night),Motel (3 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map

Related products

Related Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Australia Intrepid
More of activity:
Walking & Trekking