Saturday 12/07/2025 Honeysuckle Falls Road – Evans Crown Nature Reserve Carpark – Evans Crown Track – Evans Crown 1103m
Evans Crown Nature Reserve, NSW
Wiradjuri Country (Wiradjuri people)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
A cool mid-winter’s day set the scene for our circuit in Evans Crown Nature Reserve. Departing from Honeysuckle Falls Road, we parked beside the reserve entrance, where the air was crisp and the ground firm underfoot after a run of dry weather. The temperature hovered around 6 °C, never reaching higher than 11°C during our time on track, which made for comfortable walking conditions.
Max elevation: 1082 m
Total climbing: 164 m
Total descent: -161 m
Average speed: 2.84 km/h
Total time: 01:15:58
A formed trail departs directly from the carpark, winding immediately uphill beneath tall eucalypts. The granite understorey soon asserted itself, creating an almost amphitheatre-like terrain as boulders and slabs of pink-grey rock frame the way ahead. The track heads smoothly up the ridgeline, the solid surface occasionally dusted with a drift of fallen leaves. Despite recent rain in surrounding regions, the path was stable and dry.
Sue descending Evans Crown
Ascending through broken forest, the revealed granite tors became the walk’s unmistakable focus—some emerged singly beside the track, others in clusters that loomed over the route like the ramparts of a long-abandoned castle. The track we followed was mostly well-marked, with only the final pinch towards the main summit requiring attention to the indistinct pad threading through the boulders.
Arriving at the trig point at 1103 metres, visibility was excellent thanks to high pressure and minimal cloud cover. Views extended to the blue smudges of the ranges on nearly all sides, and the clarity sharpened every colour and contour in the ridges and valleys stretching away from Evans Crown. Sheltered coves among the granite made an ideal spot for rest, out of the gentle westerly breeze which never rose above 9 km/h.
The return journey retraced the approach, with the ease of the descent matched by a sense of satisfaction in experiencing the iconic landscapes of the reserve. Careful footing was needed on the granite, but dry track conditions underfoot afforded surety with every step.
Information on Parks signage along the way
Acknowledgement of Country
This is Wiradjuri Country – Please respect the land Evans Crown lies within the area traditionally occupied by the Wiradjuri Aboriginal People. The community continues to care for their Country through ceremony, art, story, song and dance. There are members of the Wiradjuri community who maintain a strong connection with Evans Crown and the surrounding areas. The land and all it contains are central to Aboriginal spirituality and contribute to Aboriginal identity.
The Reserve
Assistant Surveyor George William Evans named Evans Crown in 1813 during an expedition which followed, and then extended beyond the route previously taken by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson. Overlooking the Bathurst Plain and the township of Tarana, Evans Crown Nature Reserve was gazetted in 1975 and covers 425 hectares of remnant bushland. The reserve protects spectacular granite rock formations, known as tors, as well as diverse and relatively undisturbed vegetation. It is an important refuge for woodland birds and other native wildlife.
Nature reserves are managed primarily for conservation and scientific research. Recreational uses are only permitted if they do not impact on the reserve’s natural values.
Walking in Evans Crown
This walking trail leads to the top of the reserve, an ascent of 100 metres in altitude. The trail contains numerous stairs, and some sections are steep and slippery. Moderate fitness is required. Allow 40 minutes each way and ensure you take plenty of water with you. From the end of the formed trail, there is a network of unformed and unmarked trails along the ridge-top which lead to various vantage points throughout the reserve, and to Crown Rock. These Informal trails are suitable for experienced walkers with good navigational skills only.
Camping information
Camping is not permitted in the reserve
Nearby camping area Flat Rock Camping Area, 20.7km
Mutton Falls Road via Tarana, Free, basic campground on the Fish River:
Lake Lyell Recreation Park, 18.6km Magpie Hollow Road Lithgow, via the Rydal Sodwahs Road. Lakeside camping, $
For other accommodation options contact:
Lithgow-Tourism: 6350 3230
Oberon Visitor Information Centre: 6329 8210
For further information on Evans Crown Nature Reserve, please contact
NPWS Kanangra Area on 63361972,
or the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 47878B77.
Climbing and bouldering at Evans Crown
Climbing at Evans Crown is not encouraged or promoted due to the reserve’s significance to Aboriginal people. If you choose to climb here, please respect the wishes of the Wiradjuri community and do not damage or deface any part of the reserve.
The following are not permitted in the reserve:
• Creation of new climbing routes and fixing of permanent bolts or other aids
• Cleaning of climbing and bouldering routes
• Route marking
• Commercial and group climbing activities
Ring bolts have an unacceptable impact on the cultural and scenic values of the reserve and will be removed.
Fishing
The Fish River forms part of the southern boundary of the reserve. Access to this stretch of the river should be gained via the reserve and not by crossing private property.
A licence is required to go fishing. Visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries website for further information, or to purchase à recreational fishing licence online. Yabby traps can harm or kill platypus, turtles and water birds, The use of yabby traps. in public waters, which include rivers, creeks and lakes, is prohibited in this area. Fines of up to $11,000 can be imposed for injuring wildlife.
Domestic animals are not permitted in the reserve
Fires are not permitted in the reserve
Fuel stoves may be used, provided fire bans are not in place. Call the NSW Rural Fire Service on 1800 679 737 for the latest fire ban information
Smoking is not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves
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The local landscape features, geology, scenic highlights, flora, fauna, Indigenous history, white history and other nearby walks in the area (Perplexity AI model)
Landscape Features
The landscape is dominated by extensive granite outcrops, domes, and boulder-strewn ridges that arise abruptly from the surrounding elevated plateau. These granite boulders, known as tors, define the terrain, with the Crown itself forming the most prominent feature visible from the valley below. The surrounding hills comprise gently undulating slopes and shallow valleys. The area supports remnant vegetation and reveals a contrast between moist eastern slopes and drier western and northern aspects, each hosting distinct plant communities.
Geology
Evans Crown’s geology is characterised by the Evans Crown Granite, a coarse-grained intrusive rock emplaced during the late Carboniferous (approximately 312 million years ago). This granite is more resistant to erosion than the older, underlying Tarana Granite, resulting in the conspicuous outcrop formations found within the reserve. The weathering of this granite underground followed by surface exposure sculpted the massive tors and round boulders. Granite consists primarily of silica, mica, and feldspar, with feldspar and mica weathering readily while silica remains, resulting in sandy soils that are prone to erosion.
Scenic Highlights
Scenic highlights of the reserve include the views from the summit at 1,103 metres, with panoramic vistas across the Central Tablelands. The granite tors create striking visual contrasts—particularly following rainfall, when the exposed boulders are adorned with patches of brightly coloured lichen. The area is largely in a natural state, with minimal infrastructure, enhancing its sense of remoteness and preserving its spiritual and aesthetic value.
Local Flora
The reserve sustains diverse plant species that vary according to slope, aspect, and elevation. Eastern slopes, being more moist, support forests dominated by apple box (Eucalyptus bridgesiana) and ribbon gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), with an understorey including green wattle (Acacia decurrens) and bracken (Pteridium esculentum). The drier western and northern slopes feature woodlands comprising apple box, mountain gum (Eucalyptus dalrympleana), yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora), black sally (Eucalyptus stellulata), and blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon). Snowgums (Eucalyptus pauciflora) arise at higher elevations around 900 metres. Shrubs such as blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa), geebung (Persoonia spp.), native cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis), and five corners (Styphelia viridis) are scattered throughout.
Lichens are particularly noteworthy, forming a mutualistic relationship of algae and fungi, which contribute to rock weathering and create colourful mosaic patterns on granite surfaces.
Local Fauna
Evans Crown Nature Reserve is a refuge for native fauna, including eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus), red-necked wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus), wombats (Vombatus ursinus), and echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) occur in local waterways. Nocturnal species such as bush rats, sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps), brushtail and ringtail possums (Trichosurus and Pseudocheirus spp.) are also present. Reptiles, including various lizard species, are commonly seen among the rocky outcrops. Birdlife includes kookaburras, hawks, and other woodland species.
Indigenous History
Evans Crown lies within the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people. The area is highly significant for its role as a site for initiations and corroboree, and it retains profound spiritual importance. The reserve’s lack of signage within, by request of local Aboriginal groups, reflects ongoing respect for its sacred qualities. Numerous artefacts and campsites in the wider Oberon region testify to long-standing Wiradjuri presence. While the neighbouring Gundungurra people also traversed this landscape, Evans Crown is most closely associated with Wiradjuri Country.
White (European) History
Surveyor George William Evans was the first recorded European to visit Evans Crown, arriving in December 1813, shortly after the successful crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Lawson, and Wentworth. Evans was struck by the distinctive rocky outcrop and named it accordingly. The region was rapidly opened for European exploration, pastoral settlement, and agriculture, with Evans Crown becoming a natural landmark for travellers and settlers throughout the nineteenth century. The natural integrity of the reserve remains largely preserved, reflecting both limited development and its designation as a nature reserve since 1975.
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