Biruu gaba lookout walking track

Deriah Aboriginal Area

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Overview

Ideal for birdwatching, Biruu gaba lookout walking track, in Deriah Aboriginal Area, offers spectacular scenic views to Mount Kaputar National Park and Nandewar Ranges.

Distance
0.7km return
Time suggested
15 - 30min
Grade
Grade 3
What to
bring
Hat, drinking water, sunscreen
Please note
Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching.

For some of the most superb scenic views across Nandewar Ranges and nearby Mount Kaputar National Park, head to Biruu gaba lookout walking track. Located in Deriah Aboriginal Area, near Narrabri, this short yet steep track can be tackled by all ages and is extremely popular with birdwatching enthusiasts.

Following the clearly signposted track through open woodlands of cypress pine, you might see a flash of vibrant colour as the turquoise parrot flies past or perhaps spot a brush turkey darting through the trees. At the lookout, take in the magnificent views and see if you can identify the distinctive peaks of Nandewar Ranges.

Ideal for school groups, discover traditional uses for plants found in the area via the informative signage. Round off your day with lunch at Wagun picnic area, featuring Culture Sculpture walk.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://uat.nswparks.cloud/things-to-do/walking-tracks/biruu-gaba-lookout-walking-track/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

  • in Deriah Aboriginal Area in the Country NSW region
  • Deriah Aboriginal Area is always open but may have to close at times due to severe weather or extreme fire danger.

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Biruu gaba lookout walking track.

Maps and downloads

Learn more

Biruu gaba lookout walking track is in Deriah Aboriginal Area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Ancient volcanic landscape

Deriah Aboriginal Area. Photo: Dirk Richards

The region offers spectacular scenery of steep volcanic rock cliff lines and soft sandstone that has eroded over time into unique formations. The volcanic rocks were created by eruptions that formed the Nandewar Range shield volcano, around 19-21 million years ago. Lava flows were pushed out from beneath the earth’s surface and spread across the land. The lava cooled when it was exposed to the air and hardened to make new rocks.

Bird watching paradise

Wedge-tailed eagle. Photo: Kelly Nowak

The Deriah forest region protects a huge and diverse range of bird species, including numerous threatened and significant bird populations. Take your binoculars for a chance to see spotted harrier, little eagle, little lorikeet, black-chinned honeyeater, rainbow bee-eater and hooded robin. A number of species, including the superb parrot, turquoise parrot and speckled warbler, are listed as vulnerable.

Education in the forest

Deriah Aboriginal Area Information Bay, Deriah Aboriginal Area. Photoi: Dirk Richards

An innovative education package is available for Deriah Aboriginal Area. It aims to incorporate Aboriginal cultural heritage into all aspects of the curriculum. The package provides teachers with excursion options and activities within Deriah forest for stage 1-3 of the NSW Syllabus.

Gamilaraay country – Gamilaraay culture

Biruu Gaba lookout walking track, Deriah Aboriginal Area. Photo: Dirk Richards

Deriah Aboriginal Area is of high cultural value to the local Aboriginal community and contains important evidence of their lives in the area, with a large number of significant sites recorded including scarred trees and grinding grooves. The exact origin of the name ‘Deriah’ is unknown, although it may have come from the Gamilaraay word ‘dhiriya’, meaning ‘old’. Deriah Aboriginal Area Co-management Committee was formed in 2008 to work in partnership with NPWS to help guide management of the reserve and encourage connection with country. This committee consists of Aboriginal community members from Narrabri who represent Gamilaraay families with a historical connection to the area.

Education resources (1)