Yerong Walking Track NSW (6.0km)
The Rock Nature Reserve - Kengal Aboriginal Place
Best Time of the Year to Walk
Year round
Yerong Walking Track Review
The Yerong Walking Track is one of those hidden gems that the locals make good use of but in our case we only discovered it when the NSW Parks Service promoted it through their social media feeds. The walk is one of a number located in the Rock Nature Reserve – Kengal Aboriginal Area just outside the township of The Rock and about 35km from the regional NSW city of Wagga Wagga.
Our original plan was to spend the weekend but with bad weather forecast we opted for a potential wet walk and seven hours of driving for the day. Luck was with us as the early morning rain stayed away. In hindsight we could have spent two days here and done the three longer walks as well as the two short walks (under 1km). If we had decided to stay the weekend we were going to take advantage of the free camping opportunity at The Rock Recreation Area located in town.
We arrived at the car park at around 9:20am after just over three hours driving and were immediately impressed with the well set out facilities. The car park looks capable of taking 30 cars provided everyone parks properly. In addition there is a large picnic shelter with free gas barbecues and good toilet facilities although be warned, these toilets don’t have seats, just a metal toilet!
When we arrived and took a look around including at the trailhead signage, we discovered the other walks we weren’t aware of. The Yerong Walking Track is the main summit trail however you can also do this walk on the Yugay Walking Track which is the same length but has warning signs identifying steep and unstable sections unsuitable for inexperienced walkers.
The Yerong Walking Track is well maintained and the tread is a natural surface that is easy underfoot along the largely steady and manageable gradient with the exception of the last section. The trail out is almost entirely uphill although the various types of vegetation make for a pleasant walk all the way to the summit. The last 700-800 metres to the summit is where the trail will challenge even the fittest of hikers. As such, we recommend using tracking poles for the more challenging sections.
The last 700 metres as you approach the summit is a combination of rock steps and steep rocky trail. The trail can be slippery if there has been recent rain and there are a few areas where you’re walking close to steep drop offs so you need to pay attention. As you approach the summit you start to get glimpses of the great views. Once you get to the summit the views are forever and almost 360 degrees. It’s the perfect spot to take in the surrounding farmland, enjoy a snack or picnic lunch, and catch your breath for the return.
This is a lovely walk and one that really surprised us; it just has that ‘special feel’ about it, so much so we will make a return visit to complete the other walks on offer.
Canola fields in flower on the way to The Rock Nature Reserve
Approaching township of The Rock
The Rock main street
The Rock Nature Reserve coming closer
Approaching the Rock Nature Reserve
Entry into the Rock Nature Reserve
Alert signs at the Rock Nature Reserve
Car park at the Rock Nature Reserve
Picnic shelter at the Rock Nature Reserve
Toilet facilities at the Rock Nature Reserve
Toilet at the Rock Nature Reserve
Choose your summit trail at the Rock Nature Reserve
Trail options at the Rock Nature Reserve
Information kiosk at the Rock Nature Reserve
Yerong Walking Track information
The essentials signage at The Rock Nature Reserve
Gill on the Yerong Walking Track
On-trail information signage on the Yerong Walking Track
Solanum species on the Yerong Walking Track
Directional signage at The Rock Nature Reserve
Information on the Yerong Walking Track
Example of bushland on the Yerong Walking Track
Yerong Walking Track trail surface
Trail example Yerong Walking Track
Yerong Walking Track information signage
Set of stairs on the Yerong Walking Track
Yerong Walking Track meets the Yugay Track. This junction provides the option to do a circuit rather than an out and back route
On the way to the summit at The Rock Nature Reserve
View on the the way to the summit on the Yerong Walking Track
Almost at the summit on the Yerong Walking Track
Part view from the summit on the Yerong Walking Track
Trail example on the Yerong Walking Track heading back to the trailhead
Trail video
This short video contains photos and videos to show you the walk from start to finish
Getting There
Google Map from the Wagga Post Office to the trailhead which is a distance of approximately 35km
Things to know
- Phone: Phone and data signal is good on this trail (Telstra)
- Water: Bring your own water
- Toilets: There are toilets at the trailhead car park
- Trail:
- This walk is on formed natural trail
- The last section of this walk is hard and time consuming
- Dogs: NO Dogs allowed
- Camping: Camping NOT Allowed
- Other:
- There are free gas barbecue facilities and picnic table at this site
Disclaimer
This walk was undertaken by the team from Australian Hiker
Last updated
26 August 2024