Native Dog Campground and Woolpack Rocks, Cathedral Rock National Park, NSW

Woolpack Rocks

Our primary reason for going to Native Dog Campground was to do the Woolpack Rocks Walk. We had thought, that due to this campground being closer to the road and having access to more rig types than Barokee Campground, it would be the busier of the two however, this was not the case when we were there.

Woolpack Rocks Walk: Grade 4, 8 km return, 2.5 to 3.5 hours.

The start of Woolpack Rocks Walk 

The walk gently climbs towards Woolpack Rocks in the distance for 3.7 km before turning towards the summit. The climb to the top is about 300 m and, by all accounts, much easier than climbing Cathedral Rock. There are a couple of obstacles to overcome but National Parks NSW has put in a couple of structures to aid with getting up. The first structure is a step that looks a bit like a saw horse and is used to help get through a narrow gap between two large granite rocks. I found this easy enough going up but a bit of a challenge coming down.

The second aid to climbing Washpool Rocks is a ladder which was easy to use both going up and down.

The views at the top are truly stunning. This is one of those walks that offers some challenges but also produces a great sense of achievement when accomplished.

Details for Native Dog Campground:

Native Dog Campground

Where: In Cathedral Rock National Park, NSW. 84 km east of Armidale. 122 km west of Coff's Harbour. Turn off the Waterfall Way onto Guyra Road. After 8 km turn left into the park entrance. 
Access: Roads are sealed until entering the park. The park entrance is fairly short but is unsealed and narrow. 
Booking and Fees: No bookings. $6.00 per adult, $3.50 per child per night.
Sites: Suitable for tents, camping beside your vehicle, camper trailers, motorhomes and Caravans.
Facilities: toilet, tables, fire places, wood supplied, information, walks.
Prohibitions: No pets, no smoking.