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  • Drink water regularly - carry and drink at least 1 litre of water per person per hour and more in hotter weather. There is no drinking water in the park.
  • Avoid hiking in hot weather - the best months are May to August. 
  • Heat stress can kill - people have died attempting this trail in hot conditions.
  • Hike - during the coolest times of day. Start the Summit Trail hike no later than 7am.
  • Wear a hat, loose long sleeved clothes, sturdy footwear and sunscreen - to minimise heat stress, sunburn and injury from rugged terrain.
  • Stay on the trail - follow the walk trail markers.
  • Be prepared - tell a trusted and responsible person of your plans and provide sufficient detail to them so they can get help if required.
  • Carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) - or satellite phone, it could save your life. Mobile phone coverage is extremely limited.
Hike Safely at Mount Augustus

The Summit Trail, Beedoboondu, Mt Augustus NP The Summit Trail, Beedoboondu, Mt Augustus NP

Bush Walk  in Golden Outback

Part of Mt Augustus National Park network
  • Full day
  • 12.5 km
    • Bush Walk Class 5

      Extreme trail with very rough surface, and may have very steep hills, arduous rock hopping or rock scrambling. Limited or no directional signage. For very experienced bushwalkers with navigation and emergency first aid skills, and high level of fitness.

The very difficult 12.5 kilometre Summit Trail located in Mount Augustus National Park takes walkers to the top of the biggest ‘rock’ in the world. Only very fit and experienced bushwalkers should attempt this full day very difficult hike. Expect a very steep unformed trail with rock scrambling. The trail ascends over 650 metres to the summit that offers extensive views of the surrounding plain and distant ranges. 

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Twice as high as Uluru (Ayers Rock) the experienced walker will be rewarded with extensive views over the surrounding plain to the distant ranges. 

The Summit Trail is a demanding walk, and it is important that you are well prepared and understand the risks. Please read the ‘Safety Information’ section for Mount Augustus on the Parks and Wildlife Service website before your walk.

This trail is a more direct and popular route to the summit. It is still a difficult hike and should only be considered by prepared and experienced hikers. The 650 metre climb to the top of the inselberg provides extensive views over the vast surrounding plain and drainage basin to distant ranges. An early start, no later than 7am, is recommended and please advise someone reliable of your plans. Rescues put other lives at risk and can take time as there is no rescue helicopter in this region. It’s hard work going up, it’s even harder coming back down.

The return walk to the top of the mount and back takes a full day to complete. Spend a few days hiking shorter trails before considering longer hikes then gauge your ability to tackle the very challenging Summit Trail hike requiring a high level of fitness and preparation. For the less-hardy soul there are a variety of easier walk trails, drive trails, lookouts, swimming holes and picnic spots. 

The Summit Trail is:

  • Open: May - August
  • Closed after 7am: September, October, March and April. Start your hike before 7am in these months
  • Closed: November to February 

Located in the Mount Augustus National Park, Mount Augustus, or Burringurrah as it is known by the local Wadjari Aboriginal people, is about midway between the Great Northern and North West Coastal highways. One of the most spectacular solitary peaks in the world, it rises 717 metres above a stony, red sandplain of arid shrubland - dominated by wattles, cassias and eremophilas - and is clearly visible from the air for more than 160 kilometres. The rock itself, which culminates in a small peak on a plateau, is an area of 4,795 hectares.

During dawn and dusk, its colour changes almost minute by minute from deep indigo to bright pink, orange or red and occasionally green, reflecting the mood of the rock and the spirits living there.

Roads may be closed or substantially damaged after heavy rain. Details about road conditions can be obtained from the Shire of Upper Gascoyne (08) 9943 0988 and the Shire of Meekatharra (08) 9981 1002.  Scenic flights from Shark Bay to Mount Augustus are available from Shark Bay Air Charter.

Camping and accommodation is available at the Mt Augustus Tourist Park (08) 9943 0527.

Denham (Shark Bay) Parks and Wildlife Office

(08) 9948 2226

Visitor Information Centres

National Parks

Other Links

  • Explore Parks

    Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

  • Mt Augustus Tourist Park

    Mount Augustus Tourist Park is a friendly caravan park with unit accommodation and camping grounds, with hot showers, laundry and a BBQ campers' kitchen for self catering.

  • Australia’s Golden Outback

    Comprehensive information on the Golden Outback region including destinations, things to see and do, accommodation and tours.


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Be trail ready for The Summit Trail, Beedoboondu, Mt Augustus NP

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

5-8 hours

Length

12.5km return

Trail Start

Flintstone – Beedoboondu car park, Mount Augustus National Park, 1100km (16 hours) north of Perth

Get directions

Trail End

Bush Walk

Class 5

Extreme trail with very rough surface, and may have very steep hills, arduous rock hopping or rock scrambling. Limited or no directional signage. For very experienced bushwalkers with navigation and emergency first aid skills, and high level of fitness.

Visit Trail Tips for further information.

Additional information

Rock scrambling required

Hazards & Warnings

Undercut cliff edges.

Loose rocks and unstable surfaces.

Extreme heat that can exceed 40 degrees in summer.

Safety

For your safety it is recommended that you read the safety information provided by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Facilities

Accommodation ranging from camping to donga style rooms are available at Mount Augustus Tourist Park.
  • Car Park
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet

Best time of year

May to August

Trail Access

2WD via gravel roads. Check road conditions with the local shire before travelling.

Prohibited Items

No camping or open fires in National Park or Pastoral Lease. No pets allowed

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3 trail goers have rated The Summit Trail, Beedoboondu, Mt Augustus NP as 5 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Bruce Weiland

Reviewed 24 Sep 2022, 6:11pm

Great hike that's challenging in a few places, especially the best (most challenging) left till last just before the summit. I did the 12km/5.5hr return twice in 3 days in early September. Yes, it must be started before 7am even in cool morning early in September because temp does warm up during the return. I found the geology/rocks more interesting than flora. Great view from the summit. First check out the Dept Parks & Wildlife (DBCA) web site for this walk for safety and other guidance. Personally I feel the stipulation for 6 litres (6kg) of water excessive but I think it might be due to the deaths that have occurred in recent years. Recommended.
Peter Harrison

Reviewed 1 May 2018, 2:20pm

Another beautiful piece of WA, get out there and have a look and head to the summit if you have the will for it. As the last reviewer said, Telstra reception at the top after being without any for a few days. Not the easiest location to get to, careful planning is a must but definitely worth it.
Murray Shiels

Reviewed 5 May 2016, 1:00pm

Really great walk - we went up the Gully Trail which joins the Summit Trail halfway up and then took the Summit Trail the rest of the way (up and down). It took us 3.5 hours up and 2.5 hours down. There's a special surprise at the top - Telstra reception! I cannot stress strongly enough the importance of starting this walk at dawn. You get about 2 hours of shade in the gully before the sun warms everything up. In still air at midday with the sun baking down and the rocks reflecting the heat back up, it can be very. very hot.

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