Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru)
Toorale National Park
Overview
Camp by the riverbank at Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru) in Toorale National Park, near Bourke. Watch animals and birds flock to the river, go fishing, and discover the history and scenery of outback NSW.
| Number of campsites | 4 |
|---|---|
| Camping type | Tent, Caravan site, Camper trailer site, Camping beside my vehicle |
| Facilities | Picnic tables, carpark, toilets |
| What to bring | Drinking water, cooking water, topographic map, compass, gps |
| Price | There are no camping fees at this campground but a $6 booking fee applies. |
| Bookings | Book up to 12 people or 2 sites online. |
| Group bookings | This campground is not suitable for group bookings. |
| Please note |
|
If you're exploring Toorale or Gundabooka national parks, Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru), near Bourke, is a basic bush camp with limited facilities. Set up your tent, campervan or trailer in a peaceful spot beside the river, and see what makes this place so special to the Kurnu-Baakandji People.
The campground is ideally located for exploring the iconic Darling River drive, or Mount Talowla lookout with its sweeping views of the park. Discover the fascinating history of nearby Toorale Homestead, once the world's largest sheep station. Or, try your hand at fishing for yellow belly in the Darling River, beside the river red gums and coolibah trees.
It's a good idea to visit during the cooler months, between April and September. After the rains, the landscape comes to life with wildflowers, and the floodplains become a birdwatcher's paradise. Bring your binoculars to spot wedge-tailed eagles soaring above or spoonbills and Major Mitchell's cockatoos by the water. The Darling River is also a favourite watering hole for kangaroos, emus and goannas.
After a day of outback adventures, enjoy dinner against a magical sunset and starry night, as the kangaroos, emus and goannas come down to the river watering hole.
Also see
-
Yanda campground
Camp by the Darling River at Yanda campground in Gundabooka State Conservation Area, near Bourke. This remote campground offers caravan camping with fishing and paddling in Outback NSW.
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Redbank Homestead
For a taste of outback heritage accommodation, historic Redbank Homestead, in Gundabooka State Conservation Area, offers fishing, paddling and walking, near Bourke.
-
Dry Tank campground
Stay overnight in Gundabooka National Park at Dry Tank campground. Bring your tent, caravan or trailer to enjoy a night of national park camping near Bourke in outback NSW.
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Belah Shearers' Quarters
Don't feel like camping? Experience national park accommodation with a difference at Belah Shearers' Quarters in Gundabooka National Park, near Bourke in outback NSW.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/darling-river-campground-yapara-paaka-thuru/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Bourke office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6830 0200
- npws.bourke@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 51-53 Oxley Street, Bourke NSW 2840
Park info
- in Toorale National Park in the Outback NSW region
Toorale National Park and SCA is always open, but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru).
Getting there and parking
Darling River campground is in Toorale National Park. To get there:
From Bourke:
- Travel 10km north along Hungerford Road, then turn left onto Wanaaring Road.
- Drive 22km then turn left onto Toorale Road, which is unsealed.
- Travel 38km to the entrance of Toorale National Park.
- Around 1.5km past the park entrance turn left at the Darling River Drive sign.
- Follow the signs along Darling River Drive for 17.5km, until you reach Darling River campground.
From Louth:
- Cross the bridge heading west and travel 2km, then turn right at the Tilpa sign.
- Travel 25km on the unsealed Toorale Road. After crossing the stock grid, you’ll see the entrance to Toorale National Park.
- Continue 28.5km on Toorale Road then turn right at the Darling River Drive sign.
- Follow the signs along Darling River Drive for 17.5km, until you reach Darling River campground.
Road quality
Roads to and within Toorale National Park are unsealed and can be closed due to wet weather. Check with the NPWS Bourke office or Bourke Shire Council for the latest road conditions before you set out. Don't drive on closed roads – heavy fines apply.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available on unsealed hard-packed ground directly at your campsite.
Facilities
- Water is not available at this campground
- Rubbish bins are not provided. Please take your rubbish with you when you leave.
Toilets
There's a single non-flush toilet at the campground.
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Carpark
Step-free access
The campground is flat and step-free, but there are no pathways. You'll need to cross over unsealed hard-packed ground to reach the facilities.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru) is flat and step-free, but there are no pathways. You'll need to cross over unsealed hard-packed ground to reach the facilities.
The toilet at the campground is not accessible or ambulant.
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Please respect other campers by not playing amplified music.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru) is in Toorale National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Birdwatching spectacular
After the rains, the vast natural floodplain springs to life and the wetlands bring an abundance of birdlife. A fabulous spot for birdwatching, bring your binoculars for the chance to see the iconic brolga, pink cockatoo, or the wide range of waterbirds such as the Australian pelican, pied cormorant and royal spoonbill.
Inland rivers
Toorale National Park marks the junction of two mighty inland rivers and provides one of only a few opportunities to access the Darling and Warrego rivers. Set up camp on the Darling riverbank, or spend a leisurely day checking out the local wildlife, birdwatching and fishing.
Rich pastoral history
A relative newcomer to the national park family, Toorale was purchased in 2008. The large pastoral station and woolshed changed hands many times, and many people have a historic connection to Toorale, including Henry Lawson, who worked on the station for a short period during the 1890s.
- Toorale Homestead precinct (Yarramarra) Toorale Homestead precinct (Yarramarra) is a must-see for outback travellers near Bourke. Built on the lands of the Kurnu-Baakandji People, Toorale Station was once part of the world’s largest sheep station.
The People of Darling River
This country between the Warrego and Darling rivers is of spiritual and cultural significance to Kurnu-Baakandji People. The name Baakandji comes from the word ‘paaka’, meaning ‘Darling River’, so Baakandji are the People belonging to Darling River. Take a Discovery tour to learn about the culture and heritage of the region as well as local bush tucker such as wild orange, quandongs, wild plum bush, wild bananas and bush tomatoes.