Mushroom Rock Circuit

Starting from Rainbow Valley Access Campsite, Hugh, this circuit walk takes you to the Mushroom Rock and back, visiting Jack’s Lookout along the way. An undemanding scenic journey in the desert, this track will let you get to know the ancient Mushroom Rock. For millions of years, this sandstone boulder was eroded by rain and wind leading to its unique shape now. Although it already provides a great frame for a photograph, the different angles of sunlight can really enhance the final product. Take your time and get the perfect picture, then make your way towards Jack’s Lookout to experience one of the best sunsets in the area. A flynet and a hat is recommended. Let us begin by acknowledging the Arrernte people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions
Start (-24.3309572,133.6327181)
Mode Car
Directions From Stuart Highway, 87
Turn on to then drive for 23.6 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the car park at the end of Rainbow Valley Access Road, head towards the information shelter along the dirt track. Take a perpendicular right turn here and start moving away from the claypan. Keep left at the 3-way intersection in the distance to continue along Mushroom Rock Circuit (counterclockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a toilet (about 75 m back from the start). Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve (about 30 m back from the start). After 85 m to find the shelter.
	Turn right. After another 95 m continue straight. After another 210 m find the "Jack's Lookout" (on your left). Jack's Lookout Named after Jack Kenny (may he rest in peace), this lookout provides panoramic views over the surrounding land. There are seats for you to take the scenery in comfortably. Then pass a seat (on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This is the side trip that takes you to the ancient Mushroom Rock. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 265 m turn sharp left.
	After another 410 m turn right. After another 10 m come to the "Rainbow Valley".
	After another 45 m turn left. After another 60 m veer right.
	After another 15 m come to the end.

This is the side trip that takes you to the ancient Mushroom Rock.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 120 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 120 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Mushroom Rock Circuit

Grading

	Class 2/6 Easy track
Length	1.2 km
Time	20 min to 30 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There is one -29 m back from the start.

Shelter: There is one 55 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one -76 m back from the start.

Seat: There is one 360 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-76 m	[toilet]
Camp site	-29 m	Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve
Shelter	55 m	[shelter]
Seat	360 m	[seat]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Coffs Harbour Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
  
  Friday 13 September
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Saturday 14 September
  
  11°C → 21°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Areas of frost and the chance of fog inland in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe at night. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds becoming northwest to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 1 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 23.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 2:30pm, UV Index predicted to reach 6 [High]
  
  Sunday 15 September
  
  10°C → 19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Snow possible above 1200 metres. The chance of a thunderstorm near the coast. Winds northwest to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h before dawn then increasing to 25 to 35 km/h in the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 18.
  
  Monday 16 September
  
  9°C → 20°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe, most likely in the morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 15 and 21.
  
  Tuesday 17 September
  
  9°C → 21°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Areas of morning frost about higher ground. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe, near zero chance elsewhere. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 22.
  
  Wednesday 18 September
  
  10°C → 25°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Thursday 19 September
  
  11°C → 27°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Friday 20 September
  
  11°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- NT Parks alerts
  When planning and before starting your trip please check the NT parks alerts pages for anything that may impact on your plans.
  Regions
  Darwin
  Katherine
  Tennant Creek and Barkly
  Alice Springs

Start	(-24.3309572,133.6327181)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Stuart Highway, 87 Turn on to then drive for 23.6 km

Weather Forecast

Alerts