Mount Augustus National Park, Western Australia is located 460km east of Carnarvon and 390km west of Meekatharra, and is home to the world's largest monocline, known as Burringurrah by the local Wadjari Aboriginal people.
Mount Augustus is a star attraction on the Kingsford Smith Mail Run – one of the three self-drive trails with interpretive signage that make up the Gascoyne Murchison Outback Pathways.
The rock of Mount Augustus itself is about eight kilometres long and covers an area of 4,795 hectares within Mount Augustus National Park. The granite rock that lies beneath Mount Augustus is 1,650 million years old. This makes it twice the size of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and considerably older. It is also the biggest 'rock' in the world. During dawn and dusk, its colours are awe-inspiring, changing from deep indigo to bright pink, orange or red and occasionally green. These contrasts make for some amazing photo opportunities.
Self-Drives and Walking Trails
Loop Drive
There is a 49-kilometre self-drive circuit around Mt Augustus National Park suitable for conventional two-wheel-drive vehicles. This circuit offers views of the changing faces of the rock and access to a number of key sites including rocky creek gorges, caves, Aboriginal rock art, picnic sites and various walking/hiking trails.
Emu Hill Lookout
The lookout is a good location to take photographs of Mount Augustus and sunrise or sunset is usually spectacular. To get to Emu Hill Lookout turn north approximately 6km north-west of the park boundary (on the Cobra-Mount Augustus Road), and drive 1.5km along a track suitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles.
Mount Augustus Walk Trails
Aboriginal etchings can be found on short walks around the rock at Flintstone Rock, Mundee and Ooramboo. For the more fit and energetic there are a number of longer walk trails available including a return hike to the rock's summit.
The Summit Trail is a 12km, six to eight-hour return hike that should only be attempted by fit and experienced bushwalkers and hikers. There is no drinking water at Mount Augustus National Park, so always carry enough for your own needs (3-4 litres per person, per day).
From the summit, there are extensive views over the surrounding plain, drainage basin and distant ranges. Seek advice from the Mount Augustus National Park ranger before setting out on this walk.
NEW SEASONAL TRAIL CLOSURES
Taking effect on 30 September 2022 DBCA will be implementing season trail closures on the Summit Trail at Mt Augustus.
The Summit Trail will be:
• closed from 1 November to end of February
• closed after 7am in September, October, March and April, meaning hikers need to start their hike by 7am
• open from May to August
If you are wishing to include the Summit Trail as part of your experience at Mt Augustus please plan your travels accordingly.
WA Parks Foundation have created a Smartreka map of the Cape Le Grand National Park, allowing visitors to access the map without a network connection. Download the Smarteka map here.
For more information on visiting Mount Augustus National Park visit the Department of Parks and Wildlife. No camping or open fires are permitted within the National Park or on Mount Augustus Station pastoral lease. Accommodation, powered caravan sites, camping facilities, meals, fuel and water are available at Mount Augustus Tourist Park, located 5 kilometres from the base of the rock.
The roads are reasonable but may be washed out after rain, so check in advance about road conditions. Carry ample fuel, water and supplies to cope with all possible occurrences.
To help plan your visit, download the Mount Augustus Visitor Guide from the Department of Wildlife and Parks website.
There is no drinking water at Mount Augustus National Park, so always carry enough for your own needs (3-4 litres per person, per day). Heat stroke can kill and summer temperatures are extremely hot.
There is no mobile reception at Mount Augustus National Park.
Pricing Information
More Information
There is no drinking water at Mount Augustus National Park, so always carry enough for your own needs (3-4 litres per person, per day).
Heat stroke can kill and summer temperatures are extremely hot.
There is no mobile reception at Mount Augustus National Park.