National park · Australia
Gardens of Stone National Park
Go only if you have a 4WD or a full day and patience for rough gravel: entry is free, the pagoda country is best seen on foot from the Newnes Plateau, and the drive from Katoomba is 1.5–2 h on unsealed roads. Otherwise use the Blue Mountains National Park page.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
151 km²58 sq mi
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 151 km²58 sq mi
- About 15,080 ha after enlargement; a 2021 announcement proposed adding over 30,000 ha, so the boundary may differ from maps (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Gardens of Stone National Park protects pagoda country on the Newnes Plateau, west of the Blue Mountains: sandstone pillars and beehive stacks standing over heath, woodland and elevated swamps. It was gazetted in 1994 at about 11,780 ha, enlarged to roughly 15,080 ha, and a 2021 announcement proposed adding more than 30,000 ha, so boundaries on older maps may not match what you drive into (check). Entry is free and there are no facilities beyond a campground, which is why the park stays quiet: the cost is fuel and time on long unsealed roads, not tickets. Most visitors come for the pagoda formations and the cliff-edge views above the Wolgan Valley, reached on foot from rough fire trails. The park sits between Wollemi National Park to the north and the sealed clifftop drives of the Blue Mountains to the south, so it works as a rough-road half-day or full-day detour from Lithgow, Katoomba or Blackheath rather than a base of its own.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1994.
Size and age
151 km²58 sq mi · national park since 1994
About 15,080 ha after enlargement; a 2021 announcement proposed adding over 30,000 ha, so the boundary may differ from maps (check).
Why go
- Pagoda rock formations: sandstone pillars and beehive stacks that give the park its name.
- Quiet bushwalking on fire trails and footpaths with almost no other walkers.
- A different Blue Mountains from the clifftop lookouts: heath, woodland and elevated swamps.
- Free entry, so the cost is fuel and time on gravel roads, not tickets.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanWarm to hot; start early, carry water
- FebWarm; afternoon storms possible
- MarMild days, stable weather
- AprClear, cool nights
- MayCrisp and dry; good walking
- JunCold nights; frost on the plateau
- JulColdest month; snow rare but possible
- AugCold, windy; short days
- SepWarming up; wildflowers start
- OctMild and clear; best all-round month
- NovWarm; watch fire danger
- DecHot and dry; total fire bans possible
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regent honeyeater and turquoise parrot in western woodlandsMar–Oct · Rare; the ironbark and yellow box woodland is their habitat. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wildflowers on the plateau heathSep–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Reptiles among the pagoda rocksOct–Mar · Do not move rocks; they are habitat. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Sydney
Bells Line of Road (B59) from South Windsor, then Old Bells Line of Road and Glow Worm Tunnel Road; the last stretch is unsealed.
2.5–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Katoomba
Via Bell or Hartley and the Newnes Plateau gravel roads; a 4WD is safer after rain.
1.5–2 h
From Lithgow
Shortest approach, via State Mine Gully and the Newnes Plateau roads.
45 min–1 h
From Wollemi National Park
Neighbouring park to the north; some roads connect across the plateau.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Newnes Plateau | Pagoda formations, cliffs and the main walking and 4WD routes. | Open; unsealed roads, 4WD recommended. |
| Newnes and Wolgan Valley edge | Campground, historic shale-oil ruins and valley views. | Open; road access from the Wolgan Road side. |
| Western woodlands | Ironbark, yellow box and white box woodland on clay soils. | Open; fire trails, no facilities. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee for this park; NSW charges for vehicle entry only in some parks, not here (check). |
| Camping at Newnes campground | Free | night | Booking and fee rules change; check the NSW National Parks site before you go (check). |
| Fuel for the gravel-road loop from Katoomba | AUD 30–60 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; fill up in Lithgow or Katoomba, there is no fuel in the park. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping at Newnes campground permit or guide
Drone use permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay on formed tracks
- Pagoda plant and animal communities are easily and irreversibly damaged by walking between the rocks.
- Do not collect rocks
- Taking bush rocks for gardens removes reptile habitat and is not allowed.
- Fires
- Use only supplied fireplaces where they exist; bring firewood, and check total fire bans before lighting anything.
- Water
- There is no drinking water in the park; bring all you need.
- Drones
- Approval from NSW National Parks is required (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Newnes campground
About 80 sites with toilets on Wolgan Road; bring water and firewood, and expect fire-scarred country from 2019–20.
Near the park
Lithgow motels
The closest full range of beds and shops, 45 min–1 h from the plateau roads.
Near the park
Katoomba and Blackheath
Blue Mountains base with the widest choice, 1.5–2 h from the park.
Safety
Mobile coverage high
Rough unsealed roads medium
Bushfire high
Heat and cold medium
Accessibility
- There are no sealed walking paths or accessible facilities in the park; the campground has basic toilets.
- The gravel approach roads and rough trailheads make this a poor choice for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Keep to tracks around the pagodas; the plant communities there do not recover from trampling.
- Carry out all rubbish, including food scraps, and use the campground toilets.
- Do not buy or collect bush rocks anywhere in the Blue Mountains.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gardens of Stone National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee for this park, so your costs are fuel and time on the gravel roads. Camping at Newnes campground may carry a booking fee — check the NSW National Parks website before you go.
What are the best hikes in Gardens of Stone National Park?
The Crown Creek fire trail (8.2 km one way, about 5 h) is the longest marked walk, and the Ben Bullen trail (about 3 h) suits 4WD and mountain bikes. For the pagoda views, walk the rough paths towards the Newnes Plateau Cliffs — carry a map, as routes are not well signed.
When is the best time to visit Gardens of Stone National Park?
March to May and September to November: mild days, clear skies and fewer fire restrictions. December to February is hot and dry with total fire bans possible, and June to August brings frost and cold nights on the plateau.
Do I need a 4WD to get there?
Not always, but it helps. The park is reached only by long unsealed roads, and the surface deteriorates after rain. A 4WD or a robust car with good clearance is the safe choice.
Can I camp in the park?
Yes, at Newnes campground on Wolgan Road — about 80 sites with toilets. Bring your own water and firewood, and book ahead through NSW National Parks.
Is there phone signal in the park?
Almost none. Only Telstra has partial coverage; Optus and Vodafone do not work here. Carry a personal locator beacon if you plan a long walk.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service — Gardens of Stone National Park
- officialNSW National Parks — Newnes campground
- officialNSW National Parks — Bicentennial trail: Crown Creek fire trail
- officialNSW National Parks — Ben Bullen trail
- secondaryWikipedia — Gardens of Stone National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Gardens of Stone National Park, revision 4864041 (CC BY-SA 4.0)