Dandahra Crags and Anvil Rock Walks, Gibraltar Range National Park, NSW.

World Heritage Walks in Gibraltar Range National Park.

While camping at Mulligans Campground in Gibraltar Range National Park, we did the Dandahra Crags and Anvil Rock Walks. The trail-heads for both walks are about halfway along Mulligans Drive, about four kilometers from the campground. There is a small parking area at both trail-heads with parking for about three vehicles in each car park.

Dandahra Crags: Medium Grade.
Walking to the Crags and back is just over six kilometers however, we did the full circuit via Surveyors Creek Swamp which is seven kilometers.

As we walked along, we saw glimpses of a small mountain and thought that must be Dandahra Crags but we realised further along the walk that so many people get confused by this mountain that it is appropriately named The Mistake.

The Mistake

The first 2.8 kilometers of the trail is pleasant and seems easier than its designated medium grade.

Termite mound.

Scarlet Robin, male.

Scarlet Robin, female.

We reached a side trail where a sign stated it was 300 meters to the Dandahra Crags. The trail climbs from this point and becomes more difficult.

The trail climbs towards Dandahra Crags. 

Towards the end of the trail, it is necessary to climb up granite boulders to get to the magnificent views over Gibraltar Range National Park.

The trail goes up there.

Looking back towards the boulders we walked trough. View over Surveyors Creek Swamp.

View from the top.

Views from amongst the boulders strewn on the top.

After descending we continued on the circuit rather than returning the way that we had come. I recommend doing this because along the next section you finally get to see views of Dandahra Crags and walk past The Mistake.

Dandahra Crags

The Mistake

Dandahra Crags and Surveyors Swamp.

We came to a sign that said Surveyors Swamp Track was closed. At first we were disappointed because that meant we would have to retrace our steps to get back to the car. However, when we read the faded fine print on the sign it said "Experienced and Prepared bushwalkers (who don't mind wet feet) are welcome to make their own way along Surveyors Creek".  Naturally we decided to continue on, how bad could it be? As it turns out, it was great to forge through the overgrown track and due to the prolonged drought we didn't get wet or muddy boots. Our reward was seeing some Chrismas Bells flowering in the heath.

Christmas Bells.

Anvil Rock Walk: 4 km return, 1.5 hours, Medium Grade.

This is a great short walk. We encountered several Superb Lyrebirds along the track but they took off too quickly for us to photograph them. There was one tree down over the track that we had to negotiate. Trees on tracks is a trend we are noticing more and more on our walks and we put it down to the staff cuts that have occurred over recent years in national parks.

Balancing rocks along the path.

Tree over the walking track.

The track goes through excellent superb lyrebird habitat.

The flora along the track was attractive and we saw lots of Gibraltar Waratah plants. It was March when we were there and the waratahs usually flower late spring and early summer.

Native Fuchsia, Epacris longiflora

We saw glimpses of Anvil Rock and then the track started to climb. There is a bit of a scramble up granite rocks but you can't get all the way to the summit of the anvil.

Anvil Rock

The track goes up there.

There are goods views of Old Mans Hat and limited views through the granite rocks over the countryside.

Old Mans Hat

Views between the rocks.

We returned to the car park the same way we had come. We have definitely put this walk down as a walk to redo when the waratahs are in flower.