Hume & Hovell Multi-Day Hike | Woomargama National Park | 41km | Greater Hume x Wagga Wagga x Tom's Outdoors
Out for Adventure | Small dose adventures for busy lives in our Wagga Wagga + Surrounds region
Out for Adventure is a micro-adventure series brought to you in collaboration with City of Wagga Wagga, the adventure specialist at Tom’s Outdoors and the following regional shires – Greater Hume Council, Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council, Snowy Valleys Council, Coolamon Shire Council and Lockhart Shire Council.
Woomargama National Park, the largest protected forest area west of the Great Dividing Range, is a gem located in the Greater Hume Shire, near Holbrook and the village of Woomargama. This park is a popular destination for camping and hiking, with the Hume and Hovell Track running 40 km from one end of the park to the other. This section of the track makes for a fantastic 2-day/1-night hike, with the option to camp at the beginning and end of the journey. And that's exactly what we did!
Lankeys Creek Campsite to Tin Mines Campground 20.9 km
We spent the first night camping by Lankeys Creek, a quaint campsite just off Jingellic Road. Spending the night here before starting the hike allowed us time to arrange a car shuttle the day prior and meant we had the entire day to walk the 20 km to the next campsite, Tin Mines, without any rush.
Tin Mines campground lies on a grassy clearing on the banks of Basin Creek. As the name suggests, this land was once mined for tin from the 1870s through to the 1950s. After 20 km of walking, there's nothing better than sitting by a fire with a warm meal as the sun sets, and Tin Mines campground is the ideal place to do just that! Camping at Tin Mines campground can be booked through NSW National Parks here.
Tin Mines Campsite to Samuel Bollard Campsite 20.2 km
The morning was spent in the company of some very vocal birdlife as we wandered under the eucalyptus canopy with golden rays of light shining through the trees. It was a perfect morning of hiking!
As the track gradually gained elevation, the landscape slowly transformed from eucalyptus forest to rocky outcrops surrounded by cypress pine. At the peak elevation for the day, about 1,000 meters above sea level, is Norths Lookout. From here, you can see for miles with 180-degree views of the Riverina, the western face of the Snowy Mountains, and the Upper Murray Valley.
We reluctantly left Norths Lookout and continued, soon transitioning from hardwood into pine forest. We trekked the 7 km of open fire trail, heading back under the welcome cover of the gums and onto the home stretch to Samuel Bollard campground. This picturesque campground, set under a canopy of eucalyptus trees, is named in recognition of one of the crew members on the Hume and Hovell expedition. Samuel Bollard campground can be booked through NSW National Parks here.
Yambla View 'Wambariga' Lookout
From Samuel Bollard Campground, it is just over 2 km to the brand new Yambla View 'Wambariga' Lookout. This beautiful lookout offers views of the Yambla Range and out to the plains of the Riverina, including Table Top Mountain and Benambra Nature Reserve. It was the perfect spot to reflect on the past few days spent hiking another incredible section of the Hume and Hovell Track.
There is nothing quite like spending a few days immersed in native flora and fauna, with ever-changing landscapes and scenic vistas, all found in the wonderful Woomargama National Park. This particular section of the Hume and Hovell Track is great for hikers of any level, with well-equipped campsites, an easy-to-navigate trail, and, importantly, the solitude that the Hume and Hovell provides.