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The Summit Trail, Beedoboondu, Mt Augustus NP Trails WA Top Trail Icon

Bush Walk inGolden Outback

  • Full day
  • 12.5 km
    • Bush Walk Grade 5

The extremely difficult 12.5km Summit Trail is located in the Mount Augustus National Park and takes walkers to the top of the biggest ‘rock’ in the world, Mount Augustus. Only very fit and experienced bushwalkers should attempt this full day extremely difficult hike. Expect a very steep unformed trail with rock scrambling and minimal directional signage. The trail ascends over 650 metres to the summit that offers extensive views of the surrounding plain and distant ranges. It’s hard work going up, it’s even harder coming back down.

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Due to a recent bushfire, many of the trail markers on the upper third of the Summit Trail have been damaged or are missing. Please visit the Park Alerts website for more information and safety advice.   Park Alerts website

Trail Start

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

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Camping area with Mt Augustus in the background.
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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 ‘Your Safety’ 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 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 30 minutes after sunrise, 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. 

The return walk to the top of the mount and back takes a full day to complete. For the less-hardy soul there are a variety of easier walk trails, drive trails, lookouts, swimming holes and picnic spots. 

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.

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Parks and Wildlife Service

+61 8 9776 1207

Visitor Information Centres

National Parks

Other Links

  • 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.

  • Explore Parks

    Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

  • 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

What To Pack

Group B (Bushwalks and/or longer trails) required.

Trail Start

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

Get directions

Trail End

Bush Walk

Grade 5

Very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20km.

Difficulty Notes

Rock scrambling required

Hazards & Warnings

Start early in the day and do not walk in the hotter months between September and March.

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

The best times to walk this trail are early in the day, between May and 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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Tall Peak

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2 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.

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. Take 3 litres of water per person.

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