Southern Yodellers Range

Rugged and remote, the astonishing Yodellers run like a giant dragon’s spine through the northern Wollemi. The range is rarely visited and provides some of the most adventurous bushwalking in Australia.

Led by Yuri Bolotin, this 2 day walk found a route across the southern section, and provided spectacular views of the mad shapes of the northern Yodellers.

Date walked:                      March 2025 (2 days)
Kilometres:                          12.2 km
Elevation gain:                  980 m
Maps: NSW Topographic 1:25,000: Widden
Location:                               Yodellers Range, Wollemi National Park
Party: Yuri (leader), Kevin (co-leader), Anton, Susan, Kirsty, Oliver, Jose, Gary (8)
Note: Prior permission for private property access strictly required.
All photos Copyright and by Sandstone Symphony unless otherwise noted.

In the remote north-western reaches of Wollemi National Park, a broken line of sandstone peaks rises above vast valleys. This is the Yodellers Range. Wild country — seldom visited, difficult to reach, and even harder to cross.

In the heavy heat of late summer, our small party led by Yuri Bolotin set out on a two-day traverse of the rugged southern part of the range. From camp in Myrtle Creek Valley, the walk began with a punishing 400-metre climb to find a way through the cliffs to the ridge.

Ahead lay a serrated skyline where deep notches split the peaks, forcing careful descents and scrambles between them. With temperatures pushing towards 28 degrees and humidity lingering in the air, progress was slow and demanding.

Yet the ridge revealed space. From its narrow spine the country opened in sweeping arcs — across the broad sweep of Emu Creek Valley, to the distant folds of the north-east Yodellers, the sandstone ramparts of the Pomany Range beyond.

By mid-afternoon we reached our high camp, complete with a remarkable natural sandstone “dining room” perched on the ridge. As we ate, the range revealed its gentler side — long golden light spilling across the sandstone and the immense stillness settling over the Wollemi as evening approaches.