Cultural sites
Bark Hut picnic area and campground
Bark Hut campground offers peaceful camping in a beautiful setting half way up a mountain. It’s a fantastic spot to set up a base and explore the beautiful Mountain Kaputar National Park on a walk or mountain bike ride, try the nearby Scutts Hut walk or Mount Coryah walk. There are also lots of lookouts nearby – so be sure to stop by to enjoy the views.
With 15 camping spots available and wood fire barbecues on site, it’s perfect for getting a group of friends together, cooking up a feast and indulging in the natural wonders of this striking ancient region. And no need to rough it too much – there are hot showers and flush toilets.
You’ll love ending your busy day by contemplating the stars above you, and the birds will perform their beautiful morning chorus for the early risers.
Activities: walking, sightseeing, mountain biking, birdwatching, picnicking, playing and socialising
Natural setting: dry eucalypt forests
Location:
shown on Bark Hut map
Getting there: Bark Hut campground is in the Kaputar Plateau section of Mount Kaputar National Park. To get there, drive south from Narrabri along Old Gunnedah Road for about 4km, then turn left into Mount Kaputar Road.
Road access: Unsealed road/trail - 2WD vehicles.
Facilities: picnic tables, gas/electric barbecues (free), wood barbecues (bring your own firewood), flush toilets, hot showers, amenities block, drinking water
Water supply: untreated drinking water
Camping fees: $5 per adult per night. $3 per child per night.
Contact:
Narrabri, Phone: 02 6792 7300
Scutts Hut
This is the most popular historic site in Mt Kaputar National Park. Access is via a fire trail near the Bark Hut Camping Ground. The walk is a full day return and a lot of visitors make it an overnight walk.
The hut itself has been restored to show how pioneers once lived. It has an earth floor with an open fireplace. Timber sawn from the area was used to build the hut and most of its furniture. All other materials were brought in by horse, including a rainwater tank, no mean feat.
The hut is built on the banks of Horsearm Creek, which flows into Kurrawonga Falls
Location:
shown on park map
Historic roads and tracks
Scutts fire trail
- 20km each way (one-way route)
Mountain biking (medium difficulty)
The firetrail begins near Bark Hut and heads south along the ridge between Horsearm Creek on the left and Oaky Creek on the right. Along the way keep an eye out for Euglah Rock, Jokers Spring as well as bountiful birdlife.
Once you reach the southern gate return the way you came.
Please respect local landholders and do not trespass on private property.
Note: please do not block the trail; park your car at Bark Hut, 50m down the road.
Walking (hard, 2 hours each way)
General information
Discover the rugged landscape of Mount Kaputar National Park on your mountain bike on the beautiful Scutts fire trail. The 20km trail winds its way along a ridge between two creeks, through magnificent bushland with amazing views. It makes a great day ride, and while you’re cycling, keep an eye out for the abundant birdlife, kangaroos and other local wildlife.
Before heading back, hop off your bike and walk down the track to check out historic Scutts Hut to see how pioneers lived in Mount Kaputar in the 1940's and 1950's.
Directions: The fire trail begins at the Bark Hut camping ground. About 2 km along the trail you'll come to Jokers Spring on the left. Further along on the left is Horsearm Creek valley.
Location maps
Scutts Hut and Kurrawonga Falls walk
- 19km
Walking (hard, 10 hours )
General information
Scutts Hut is a relic of the park's pastoral history, and you can bush camp in the clearing around the hut. The falls are spectacular when they flow, usually after rain. There is no defined walk to Kurrawonga Falls and the scramble down to the falls should only be attempted by experienced walkers with a good topographic map, which is vital as this is a wilderness area.
If you're bush camping please camp responsibly to minimise your impact. Carry out all your rubbish, do not take souvenirs, camp 20m away from the hut and light fires in established fireplaces only.
The walk to Scutts Hut and/or Kurrawonga Falls is the longest walking track in the park and should only be attempted by experienced bushwalkers with sufficient water, provisions, maps, sturdy footwear and warm clothing. Make sure a responsible person is aware of your plans and expected return time.
Directions: The walk starts at the junction of Scutts Firetrail and Dunnet Parkway (Kaputar Road) near Bark Hut. Parking is available at Bark Hut; please do not block the firetrail. Follow the firetrail for 8km south along the ridgeline above Horsearm Creek, passing through a variety of habitats that change with altitude. Make sure you continue to head south along Scutts firetrail at the junction with Rocky Plateau Trail.
2.2km beyond Jokers Spring a signpost marks the steep walking track leading off to the left. Follow the narrow track down the hill and after 1 km you will reach a T-junction where the track diverges left to Scutts Hut or right to Kurrawonga Falls.
The track to Scutts Hut is 700m long and is marked by the occasional totem. The track to Kurrawonga Falls follows the fenceline for 450m until it reaches Horsearm Creek above Kurrawonga Falls. Alternatively it is possible to walk between Scutts Hut and Kurrawonga Falls by scrambling along Horsearm Creek for 2km. While it is picturesque this route is difficult to negotiate in places.
Plant communities: dry eucalypt forests, rainforests
Scutts Hut and Kurrawonga Falls walk
- 19km
Walking (hard, 10 hours )
General information
Scutts Hut is a relic of the park's pastoral history, and you can bush camp in the clearing around the hut. The falls are spectacular when they flow, usually after rain. There is no defined walk to Kurrawonga Falls and the scramble down to the falls should only be attempted by experienced walkers with a good topographic map, which is vital as this is a wilderness area.
If you're bush camping please camp responsibly to minimise your impact. Carry out all your rubbish, do not take souvenirs, camp 20m away from the hut and light fires in established fireplaces only.
The walk to Scutts Hut and/or Kurrawonga Falls is the longest walking track in the park and should only be attempted by experienced bushwalkers with sufficient water, provisions, maps, sturdy footwear and warm clothing. Make sure a responsible person is aware of your plans and expected return time.
Directions: The walk starts at the junction of Scutts Firetrail and Dunnet Parkway (Kaputar Road) near Bark Hut. Parking is available at Bark Hut; please do not block the firetrail. Follow the firetrail for 8km south along the ridgeline above Horsearm Creek, passing through a variety of habitats that change with altitude. Make sure you continue to head south along Scutts firetrail at the junction with Rocky Plateau Trail.
2.2km beyond Jokers Spring a signpost marks the steep walking track leading off to the left. Follow the narrow track down the hill and after 1 km you will reach a T-junction where the track diverges left to Scutts Hut or right to Kurrawonga Falls.
The track to Scutts Hut is 700m long and is marked by the occasional totem. The track to Kurrawonga Falls follows the fenceline for 450m until it reaches Horsearm Creek above Kurrawonga Falls. Alternatively it is possible to walk between Scutts Hut and Kurrawonga Falls by scrambling along Horsearm Creek for 2km. While it is picturesque this route is difficult to negotiate in places.
Plant communities: dry eucalypt forests, rainforests
