Sandstone Caves Loop

Starting from the dirt car park on the Yaminba Trail (off Newell Highway), Dandry, this circuit walk visits a set of sandstone caves that have some ancient Aboriginal rock art on them. You can walk this loop either with or without a guide, but a guided tour can inform you much better about the history and culture of the area. Informational signposts along the way can be helpful as well. This place is extremely important for the Gamilaraay people, so please do not touch the art. Taking pictures is allowed without a flash. Let us begin by acknowledging the Gamilaraay people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions
Start (-31.0115423,149.416072)
Mode Car
Directions From Newell Highway, A39
Turn on to then drive for 1 km
Turn right and drive for another 35 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the dirt car park on the Yaminba Trail (off Newell Highway), head along the singular track as you move directly away from the Yaminba Trail. Pass between the sign and the seat and follow the track for around 430 metres. Keep left at the 3-way intersection there to continue along the Sandstone Caves Loop (clockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the car park at the start. Find the seat at the start. Then pass the sign (7 m on your left).
	After another 410 m continue straight.
	After another 125 m continue straight. After another 115 m pass a seat (25 m on your right). After another 35 m pass the "Cave 1" (20 m on your right). After another 205 m pass a seat (5 m on your right). After another 10 m come to the "Yaminba Lookout" (6 m on your right). After another 155 m pass a seat (5 m on your right). Then pass the "Cave 2A" (7 m on your right). Then pass the "Cave 2B" (on your right). After another 95 m pass the "Cave 3" (7 m on your right). After another 80 m pass the "Cave 4" (8 m on your left). After another 45 m pass the "Cave 5" (on your right). After another 95 m pass a seat (6 m on your left).
	Turn left.
	After another 430 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Sandstone Caves Loop

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	1.8 km
Time	1 h to 1 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Seat: There are 5 on route, on average they are 300 m apart with the largest gap of 640 m.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	30 m	[seat]
Seat	680 m	[seat]
Seat	910 m	[seat]
Seat	1.1 km	[seat]
Seat	1.4 km	[seat]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Coonabarabran Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
  
  Tuesday 1 July
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain on the southern slopes, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Wednesday 2 July
  
  2°C → 14°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers on the southern slopes, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to around 4 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 17.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Thursday 3 July
  
  1°C → 12°C
  Morning frost. Cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower on the slopes, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 3 with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 17.
  
  Friday 4 July
  
  -1°C → 17°C
  Morning frost. Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Areas of frost in the morning, mainly on the plains. The chance of morning fog. Mostly sunny afternoon. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to around 1 with daytime temperatures reaching around 16.
  
  Saturday 5 July
  
  0°C → 18°C
  Morning frost. Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Areas of morning frost. The chance of morning fog in the south. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 1 and 4 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 20.
  
  Sunday 6 July
  
  5°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Monday 7 July
  
  1°C → 16°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Tuesday 8 July
  
  -1°C → 16°C
  Morning frost. Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Morning frost. Sunny.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Pilliga Nature Reserve alerts
  Other planned events: Notice of 1080 program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting a ground baiting program from 24 June 2025 to 11 July 2025. The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of foxes.
  The program will take place in Timmallallie National Park and Pilliga Nature Reserve.
  The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species.
  Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Please contact the local Castlereagh Area NPWS office for more information on 02 6843 4000.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts