I recently spent a couple of days exploring Mount Kaputar National Park over the Easter holiday, camping at Dawsons Spring and soaking in the stunning landscape this underrated gem has to offer.
While I tackled a bunch of walks—some short, some steep—I know not everyone’s keen to break a sweat on the trails. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to the top 5 easy-access lookouts in the park.
Each lookout is either right off the road or just a quick, easy walk (under 1.5 km return), ideal for anyone short on time, visiting with kids, or simply not in the mood for a long hike.
These lookouts still deliver seriously impressive views—so stick around until the end to find your next favourite scenic stop!
Getting There and Accommodation
Mount Kaputar National Park is accessible via Kaputar Road, approximately 50 km east of Narrabri. The road has seen improvements over recent years.
While the initial section is unsealed, it’s suitable for 2WD vehicles under normal conditions. The remainder of the road, including the route to the summit, is sealed.
If you’re planning to stay overnight in the park, you’ve got two great campground options to choose from: Dawsons Spring and Bark Hut.
1. Bark Hut Campground
Located about halfway up Mount Kaputar Road, Bark Hut Campground is a great base if you’re planning to explore the lower parts of the park, including nearby lookouts and short walks like Euglah Rock.
The campground has 9 unpowered tent sites and 3 sites for camper trailers. It’s a quiet, scenic spot surrounded by bushland and tall eucalypts, and comes with essential facilities like toilets, picnic tables, barbecues, and even hot showers—a welcome surprise for a relatively small site.

2. Dawsons Spring Campground
Located higher up the mountain near the summit and it offers 10 unpowered tent-only sites and 7 sites that can accommodate either a tent or a trailer.
It has a slightly cooler, alpine feel thanks to its higher elevation.
Facilities include hot showers, flushing toilets, barbecue shelters, and picnic areas. It’s perfect if you want to be close to the Mt Kaputar Summit Lookout, The Governor, and several other short walks.

Bookings for both campgrounds are mandatory and can be easily made online via the NSW National Parks website. The process is fully automated and user-friendly—you just select your preferred campground and pick your exact site from the interactive map.
It only takes a few minutes, and it’s a great way to make sure you secure your spot in advance, especially during busy holiday periods.
Mount Kaputar Best Lookouts Map
To make your trip planning even easier, I’ve put together a map featuring all 5 lookouts mentioned in this article.
Most of them are located right along Mount Kaputar Road, with the exception of Sawn Rocks, which sits a little further north along Killarney Gap Road.
Whether you’re camping at Dawsons Spring, staying nearby in Narrabri, or just passing through the park, this map will help you visualise the layout and make the most of your time.

1. The Governor Lookout
Just a short 500-metre walk from the car park, The Governor Lookout is easily one of the most impressive and memorable stops in the park.
This wheelchair-accessible lookout gives you a front-row seat to the towering volcanic plug known as The Governor (also called Corrunbral Borawah by the Gamilaroi people).


The views from the lookout are spectacular, stretching across the surrounding ranges and valleys—and it’s easy to see why this became my favourite lookout in the entire park.
On a clear day, the lookout provides the perfect opportunity to soak in the scale and natural beauty of Mount Kaputar’s rugged terrain without needing to break a sweat.


For the more adventurous, there’s a short hiking trail beyond the lookout that ascends to the summit of The Governor Mountain.
However, the trail was closed during my visit, so be sure to check the NSW National Parks website for updates if you’re planning to give it a go.
2. Mount Kaputar Summit Lookout
As the highest point in the park, Kaputar Lookout (elevation 1,510 metres) is an absolute must-visit.
From the summit platform, you’ll get panoramic 360-degree views stretching across the entire Nandewar Range and far into the western plains of New South Wales.

The lookout is reached via a short 100-metre return walk from the car park at the summit, involving a set of wooden stairs—not wheelchair accessible.
It’s a small effort for a huge payoff, and whether you’re into photography, stargazing, or simply enjoying a dramatic sunset, this spot delivers.



If you’re camping at Dawsons Spring, you’re in luck—it’s just a few minutes’ drive away, making it an ideal place to visit multiple times during your stay.
Watching the stars from the summit under those incredibly dark skies was one of the highlights of my trip—absolutely unforgettable!
3. Euglah Rock Lookout
Starting right from Bark Hut Campground, this short and easy 650m return walk leads to one of the most scenic and geologically significant spots in Mount Kaputar National Park.
The Euglah Rock Lookout offers a sweeping view across the valley to the striking Euglah Rock formation—an isolated volcanic remnant that dramatically rises above the surrounding landscape.

This area was once covered by a vast sheet of cooled volcanic lava. Over millions of years, erosion by water carved out valleys and creeks, leaving behind harder, more resistant formations like Euglah Rock, Mount Coryah, Mount Mitchell and Camels Hump.
An interpretive sign at the lookout explains how this unique landscape was formed, offering fascinating insight into the region’s volcanic history.

The path to the lookout is sealed and wheelchair accessible, making it ideal for families, those with mobility limitations, or anyone looking for a low-effort, high-reward view.
It’s one of the best short walks in the park—especially if you’re staying at Bark Hut and want a scenic stroll without needing to drive anywhere.


4. Doug Sky Lookout
Doug Sky Lookout might be the quickest and easiest viewpoint in the park. It’s located right beside Mount Kaputar Road, so you can simply pull over, take a few steps, and enjoy sweeping views across the landscape—including a great side-on view of Euglah Rock in the distance.

Although it’s not as grand as some of the other lookouts, it’s absolutely worth the 5-minute stop—especially since you’ll likely pass it while driving to or from other destinations within the park.
The lookout is named in honour of Doug Sky, a former ranger who dedicated years to preserving this remarkable region. There’s a small interpretive sign to read, and the view makes a great quick photo stop without any walking required.

5. Sawn Rocks
Located on Killarney Gap Road, about a 30-minute drive from Narribri, Sawn Rocks is one of the most famous geological formations in northern NSW—and for good reason.
These towering basalt columns rise up like a perfectly stacked pile of hexagonal stone logs, resembling the pipes of a giant church organ.

The walk to the viewing platform is an easy 1.5 km return stroll on a sealed path that’s accessible to most people, including those with mobility limitations.
There’s also a picnic area and toilet facilities at the car park, making it a great stop either at the beginning or end of your Mount Kaputar trip.

A short detour from the main road, but absolutely worth it—Sawn Rocks is a true geological wonder that gives you a whole new appreciation for the region’s volcanic history.


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