Currawinya National Park Budjiti Country Outback Queensland

Photo credit: Sherri Tanner-McAllister © Queensland Government

Things to do

    The Paroo River

    The Paroo River is the perfect place to camp, picnic, birdwatch or fish.

    Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

    Travel on a network of dirt roads and discover the unique features of Currawinya National Park.

    Travel on a network of dirt roads and discover the unique features of Currawinya National Park.

    Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

    Pink (Major Mitchell) cockatoo

    Pink (Major Mitchell) cockatoos are often seen feeding along roadsides.

    Photo credit: © Queensland Government

    Shingle-back lizard

    Shingle-back lizards and other arid zone reptiles live at Currawinya.

    Photo credit: © Queensland Government

    Located at the southern end of the Hoods Range, The 'Granites' have been dated between 230 and 310 million years old.

    Located at the southern end of the Hoods Range, The 'Granites' have been dated between 230 and 310 million years old.

    Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    You can bush camp or picnic at Ourimperee waterhole behind the Woolshed (close to flushing toilets and a bush shower), or at several sites on the Paroo River near Caiwarro (at the park's eastern end). Alternatively, bush camp at Myninya—a semi-permanent wetland in the heart of Currawinya. All campers must be self-sufficient in food, water and fuel. Please do not collect firewood from the national park. Use fuel stoves instead.

    Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

    Other accommodation

    There is holiday accommodation at Hungerford, Eulo, Thargomindah and Cunnamulla. For more information see the tourism information links.

    Driving

    Roads are 4WD access only.

    Drive to lakes Wyara and Numalla (85km round trip from the park office) to see some of inland Australia's most important wetlands and the variety of mulga lands habitats along the way.

    Travel on the Beefwood Road (turn-off is 32km north-east of the park office) and pass 100-year-old gidgee fence posts, mulga and gidgee shrub, remnant stock yards and an old station hut.

    Look for wildlife along the creek beds and clay plans on the 26km Werewilka Creek Circuit drive. Heritage enthusiasts should visit the old Caiwarro homestead site at the eastern end of the park (37km from the park office). Or reflect on a bygone era at the once bustling Currawinya Woolshed (4km from park office) and Boorara Woolshed (47km north of the park office).

    You may also like to visit Hungerford on the Queensland/New South Wales border (20km south of the park office), where the historic Royal Mail Hotel still operates.

    Walking

    The Granites

    Grade 4

    Distance: 1.5km return

    Time: Allow 40 minutes

    Visit The Granites, 10km north-west of Ten Mile Bore (pt 15km from ranger base) on the Boorara Road. Walk the 1.5km to a small outcrop of granite rocks, a unique feature of the park. Please respect the cultural significance of the area by not climbing on the granite rocks.

    Budjiti Lookout

    Grade 4

    Distance: 360m return

    Time: Allow 10 minutes

    Take a short 180m walk up a rocky slope to the Budjiti Lookout and watch the sunset over an endless horizon. Located 44km north-west of the park office on the Boorara Road.

    Remember to take water with you and walk carefully as the uneven track and rocks may be slippery.

    Viewing wildlife

    Extensive lakes and wetlands make Currawinya ideal for birdwatching. Walk rather than drive near the lakes and you will see more birds and preserve fragile ecosystems. Early mornings are best for seeing and photographing arid zone wildlife. See the description of the park's natural environment for more details about Currawinya's diverse wildlife.

    Fishing

    Fishing is permitted in some areas of Currawinya National Park along the Paroo River, but not at the lakes. See the ranger or on-site signs for details. Only live bait caught adjacent to the national park can be brought into the park.

    Boating

    You may canoe, kayak or swim on Lake Numalla or the Paroo River, but motorised boats and jet-skis are not permitted. Signs at lakes Wyara and Numalla show the activities permitted in particular areas.