Kingpin Mountain

Getting There & The Approach

Kingpin Mountain sits inside Morton National Park, about 6 km by road from the village of Tallong in NSW's Southern Highlands. The starting point is the Long Point Lookout car park, from which a well-graded track originally built for horseback access by an early settler family descends the escarpment toward the Shoalhaven River. The track itself is reasonable walking, but the route up Kingpin branches off from it at a small saddle just before the peak.

The approach along the saddle is where the experience gets dramatic. The track narrows to a causeway with steep falls on both sides — bushwalkers describe it as "dizzingly steep" on either flank. It's an exposed but walkable ridge that builds anticipation for the summit push ahead.

The Ascent & Summit

From the saddle, the climb to Kingpin Mountain's 555-metre highpoint follows a knife-edge spur. There is no formal track, just a footpad through the bush, but the route up is described as straightforward and rewarding. The narrow ridge walk to the summit delivers open views that make the effort instantly worthwhile.

From the top, the views sweep across the Shoalhaven River as it curves around unnamed peaks, over the cleared grassland of McCallums Flat far below, and toward Barbers Creek and the wider gorge country. On a clear day, the panorama stretches across one of the most imposing river systems in the Sydney basin hinterland.

The Ridge to Long Point Intermediate

For those who want to extend the adventure, a narrow and rocky ridge connects Kingpin Mountain to the neighbouring peak of Long Point Intermediate (562m). The traverse offers excellent views from breaks in the trees, though the crux near Long Point Intermediate involves a short scramble up a steep and loose section. Experienced walkers may retrace steps or drop below to skirt the worst of it.

Completing the Circuit

The classic full-day outing is the Long Point to Shoalhaven River circuit — roughly 12 km with 500–600 m of elevation change, typically graded 4 (challenging) by bushwalking clubs. The route descends past Kingpin, crosses to the river, follows the gorge downstream to swimming spots and rock ledges, then returns along the river flats and up the tourist track to the car park. Kingpin Mountain is the highlight that elevates this from a pretty good walk to a genuinely memorable one.

Visiting Tips

The summit route is off-track bushwalking — wear solid footwear with good grip for the rocky ridge and loose scrambles. A head for heights is a real advantage given the exposed saddle approach. The Kingpin climb itself is straightforward, but the ridge traverse to Long Point Intermediate adds significant difficulty and is best attempted with confidence in scrambling terrain.

If you want to reach the river for swimming, plan the full circuit and allow a half to full day. The Shoalhaven near McCallums Flat is a grand, peaceful stretch of water where you may well have the banks to yourself. Bring sufficient water and check conditions after rain, as the river flats can become difficult in storms.