Burning Mountain Nature Reserve

Burning Mountain Nature Reserve near Wingen in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales protects Australia's only naturally burning underground coal seam. Located beside the New England Highway about 20 kilometres north of Scone, the reserve centres on a coal fire estimated to have burned for around 6,000 years. The site features smoking vents, heated ground and sulphurous rocks, with Aboriginal significance to the Wanaruah people and a short walking track to viewing platforms.

Visitors can follow a marked walking track of about 3.2 km return from the car park on the New England Highway to viewing platforms above the burning seam. The track includes steps and a moderate incline through open woodland to an area of bare, sulphur-stained ground where smoke rises from vents and the ground is warm to touch. Interpretive signs explain the geology and Aboriginal heritage, with fenced lookouts for safe viewing. There is no direct access onto the hot ground itself.