Australia's strangest natural wonder — a coal seam that has smouldered underground for about 6,000 years, venting smoke through the Upper Hunter hills.
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Burning Mountain (Mount Wingen) hides the oldest known coal fire on Earth. Beneath this quiet Upper Hunter hillside, a coal seam has been smouldering for roughly 6,000 years, creeping south about a metre a year. At the summit vents, the ground is warm underfoot, wisps of sulphurous smoke drift from cracked red earth, and nothing grows — an eerie, fascinating scene unique in Australia.
The walk
From the picnic area off the New England Highway at Wingen (20 minutes north of Scone), a 4.6 km return track climbs through grassy woodland to the smoking vents. Allow two hours and bring water — much of the walk is exposed. Interpretive signs explain the geology and the Wanaruah people’s long connection to the mountain, whose fire features in their oral histories.
Worth the detour
Burning Mountain is an easy add-on to a New England or Upper Hunter road trip, pairing well with the horse country around Scone and the vineyards further south. It’s one of the most unusual hidden places in NSW — see our national parks picks for more.
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Watch
Photo Gallery
Facilities
Picnic area, toilets and parking at the trackhead
Photography Tips
Visit on a still, cool morning when the smoke plumes are most visible; backlight the vents against low sun to make the haze glow.
Insider Tips
Stay on the boardwalk at the vents — the ground is hot and unstable off-track. Carry water; most of the climb is unshaded.
Getting There
Signposted off the New England Highway at Wingen, 20 minutes north of Scone. The summit track starts at the picnic-area car park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Burning Mountain burning?
An underground coal seam ignited naturally around 6,000 years ago and has smouldered ever since, moving south about one metre per year.
Can you see flames at Burning Mountain?
No — the fire is 20–30 m underground. What you see are smoking vents, warm discoloured earth and a bare, baked summit area.
How long is the Burning Mountain walk?
The return track is 4.6 km with a steady climb, taking most visitors about two hours including time at the summit vents.
Is Burning Mountain the world's oldest fire?
It is the oldest known naturally burning coal fire on Earth, estimated to have been alight for about six millennia.
