About Wiliyan-ngurru

Park features

The 13,800ha of semi-arid Barkly Tablelands that make up Wiliyan-ngurru National Park are characterised by open eucalypt woodland, spinifex, turpentine wattle shrubland and extensive areas of Mitchell grass plains. A variety of birds including waterbirds and woodland species can be seen in the park at different times of the year.

The caves and sinkholes formed when water percolated through 500 million year-old layers of soluble dolomite creating caverns linked by vertical shafts up to 75m deep. Visitors should be extremely cautious around the edge of the sinkholes. Public entry inside the caves is not allowed. A safe viewing area is located at Great Nowranie cave.

• Read more about the nature, culture and history of Wiliyan-ngurru National Park.

Looking after the park

Parks and forests protect Queensland's wonderful natural diversity and scenery. Help keep these places special by following these guidelines.

• Everything in the park is protected. Please leave everything as you found it.
• Do not feed the wildlife. It can affect their health and alter the natural population balance. Do not leave food or scraps around your camp site.
• Manage your waste. Rubbish bins are not provided. Please take your rubbish with you when you leave.
• Toilets are not provided. Bury toilet waste (and paper) at least 15cm deep and 100m away from roads, walking tracks and watercourses.
• Stop the spread of weeds and pathogens. New introductions can spread and displace resident species and alter the local ecology. Soil from your vehicle and boots can contain weed seeds and foreign plant pathogens. Before you arrive clean all vehicles (especially the tyres and undercarriage),equipment and walking gear. If available, use a washdown facility provided in a local town.
• Domestic animals are prohibited in national parks. Leave your dogs and pets at home.
• Use a fuel stove—fires are not permitted on the park.
• Cycle on formed roads—bicycles are not permitted on walking tracks nor the boardwalks. Riding over vegetation, breaking branches, taking shortcuts and forming new tracks damages the environment.
• Never drive on rain-affected roads, you may become bogged. Even if you make it through, your vehicle will damage the road surface and make it dangerous for other road users.

See caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Wiliyan-ngurru National Park is managed to conserve the natural and cultural values of the area. It protects a representative section of the Barkly Tableland landscape of Mitchell grassland and spinifex, as well as the dolomite underground cave systems. The park is important for the Indjalandji-Dhidhanu people who have Dreaming creators associated with the area, in particular the sinkholes, they ask that you show respect when visiting.

Tourism information links

‘Outback at Isa’ Visitor Information Centre
www.discovermountisa.com.au
19 Marian Street, Mount Isa QLD 4825
Ph: 07 4749 1555
Email: info@outbackisa.com.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.