THE KILLARNY GAP ROAD AND THE SAWN ROCKS

On the Killarny Gap Road from Narrabri to Bingara NSW

 

  I awoke this morning (Sunday March 3rd) to hear the wind still howling. At least it had stopped raining. It's a nice place but after 2 nights I have had enough of this weather. So into Narrabri to have a look around, get some fuel and supplies and some photos.
  Just outside Narrabri, turning off the Newell Hwy, was Killarney Gap Road, a minor route, that would take me to the Sawn Rocks and the on to Bingara, a trip of about 110 klms.
  The Gap Road was a pleasant change from the flatness of the plains that I had travelled across over the last few days. It gradually climbs up into the volcanic Nandewar Ranges and the Mt Katapur National Park where I hope to find the Sawn Rocks. The road becomes steeper and more winding as I go with the roadside landscape changing from sparse woodland to forest.

  The Sawn Rocks is a Volcanic Formation to be found 35 klms into the journey in the Mt Katapur National Park, It was formed when lava cools slowly at a constant, even rate. It's quite spectacular and apparatly is one of only a few like Formations in Australia. A walk of 1.5 klms round trip was about all I could handlen but it was worth it. The Rocks are an "Organ Pipe" Formation so named for obvious reasons and are almost architectural in apprearance. The views from the track were impressive and are worth a mention (and Photos).

 

 

 

 

Nice Views from the Track to Sawn Rocks through Wild Bush

 





 

  After saw Rocks I continued on towards Bingara, hoping to stay at Rocky Creek Camp but the road was closed to cars and anyway, it was a goat track. Further still where there were many Causeways across fast flowing streams to contend with but I'm getting good at the technique and there weren't any problems. I am very wary of these things as it is fifficult to judge how deep the water is sometimes. If in doubt I stop, get out and check. One also needs to be travelling slowly in a low gear since if going too fast the Van may stall and then you are at the mercy of the water pressure. Further still and higher into the ranges before swiftly dropping down the other side, sometimes needing third gear to save the brakes and finally to Bingara at their foot.