Koonaburra National Park

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Overview

Immerse yourself in the outback at Koonaburra National Park, about 2 hours from Cobar. Reconnect with nature, take in the open country, and experience the remote isolation that makes western NSW special.

Read more about Koonaburra National Park

With its rippling sand dunes, big skies and open country, Koonaburra National Park lets you step back and enjoy the special sense of peace and wonder you can only find in the outback.

As you explore, keep your eyes open for the local wildlife. The park is home to plenty of emus, red kangaroos and eastern grey kangaroos, and wedge-tailed eagles are regular visitors. You’ll also find a wide variety of vegetation which changes abruptly as you travel across the park, ranging from grasslands to eucalypt forests and cypress pines.

To really indulge in your outback experience, spend a couple of days in the park. Watch the birds, take in the amazing landscapes, and set up camp beneath the open sky. The minimal light pollution makes star gazing a treat, and winter nights are great for cosy evenings around the campfire.

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/koonaburra-national-park/local-alerts

Contact

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Koonaburra National Park.

Map


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Getting there and parking

From Cobar:

  • Head west out of Cobar along the Barrier Highway for 10km.
  • Turn left onto The Wool Track, following it for 92km.
  • Turn left at the Belarabon Road and Wool Track junction, continuing on The Wool Track for another 36km.
  • Turn right at the sign for Koonaburra National Park onto an unnamed road, and follow the track 6km to the park entrance.

From Ivanhoe:

  • Head north on the Cobar-Ivanhoe road, which becomes The Wool Track, for 95km.
  • Turn left at the sign for Koonaburra National Park onto an unnamed road and follow the track 6km to the park entrance.

From Wilcannia:

  • Head south east out of Wilcannia along the Barrier Highway for 176 km.
  • Turn right onto Belarabon Road, following it for 58km.
  • Continue onto The Wool Track, following it for another 36km.
  • Turn right at the sign for Koonaburra National Park onto an unnamed road, and follow the track 6km to the park entrance.

Please check road conditions before you travel. Road access may be closed by the local Cobar Shire and Central Darling Shire councils, depending on weather conditions.

Parking

  • Whispering Oaks campground and picnic area See on map

Road quality

Roads to Koonaburra National Park are closed during and after wet weather. Access is possible with 2WD vehicles in dry weather, though 4WD vehicles are recommended.

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • Dry weather only

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Koonaburra National Park. Here are some of the highlights:

Autumn

The heat of summer has passed and the cold of winter has yet to arrive.

Spring

A great time to visit the park and beat the summer heat. During wet weather periods, the park also has abundant bird life.

Winter

Offers opportunities for peaceful, cosy nights around the campfire. Be prepared for low overnight temperatures, with some nights below zero.

Facilities

Toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

However you discover NSW national parks and reserves, we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Our park and reserve systems contrast greatly so you need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

Camping safety

Whether you're pitching your tent on the coast or up on the mountains, there are many things to consider when camping in NSW national parks. Find out how to stay safe when camping.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Outback safety

Safety is of high priority in outback areas. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 50°C in some places. Food, water and fuel supplies can be scarce. Before you head off, check for road closures and use our contacts to stay safe in the outback.

Prohibited

Gathering firewood

Generators

Horses

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.

Nearby towns

Cobar (143 km)

Cobar is a flourishing town built around the thriving mining and pastoral industries. Mining commenced here in the 1870s, and today, the town is an important source of copper, lead, silver, zinc and gold. Find out about Cobar's rich past at the Great Cobar Heritage Centre.

www.visitnsw.com

Wilcannia (276 km)

The small historic town of Wilcannia is located on the famous Darling River in the NSW outback. The nearby remote Mutawintji National Park offers a uniquely Australian experience, with its historic Aboriginal sites and captivating rugged desert terrain.

www.visitnsw.com

Learn more

Koonaburra National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • Emu, Paroo Darling National Park. Photo: John Spencer

      Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

      The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.

    • Red kangaroo, Sturt National Park. Photo: John Spencer

      Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus)

      The red kangaroo is one of the most iconic Australian animals and the largest marsupial in the world. Large males have reddish fur and can reach a height of 2m, while females are considerably smaller and have blue-grey fur. Red kangaroos are herbivores and mainly eat grass.

    • Wedge-tailed eagle. Photo: Kelly Nowak

      Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)

      With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.

    Plants

    • Mulga. Photo: Jaime Plaza

      Mulga (Acacia aneura)

      Mulga are hardy Australian native plants found throughout inland Australia. With an unusually long tap root, the mulga is able to withstand long periods of drought.

    Environments in this park

    What we're doing

    Koonaburra National Park has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. View the detailed park and fire management documents.