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Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park

Closed due to current alerts 

Overview

Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park is in the far north-west corner of NSW, in Channel Country, east of Sturt National Park and Tibooburra. It's a great destination for outback travellers.

Read more about Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park

Aboriginal Traditional Owners have a strong connection to Country at Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park.

Drive the 74km Caryapundy lookout loop drive and stay the night at Caryapundy lookout campground along the way. When Caryapundy Swamp is full, you’ll have ringside seats to observe the visiting water birds. At Caryapundy tank bird hide, keep an eye out for the beautiful, vulnerable blue-billed duck. 

Closer to the park's entrance, you’ll also be able to visit the historic Whittabrinnah Hotel precinct and do the heritage walk around it. Explorers Burke and Wills struck camp in the area in the 1860s, around 10 years before the old hotel was built.

In wet years, the Bulloo River floods out on Narriearra, terminating in huge temporary wetlands. These enormous semi-permanent lakes in the desert are known as Caryapundy Swamp and the Bulloo Overflow. They attract massive numbers of nesting water birds and other wetland wildlife.

The park supports many diverse ecosystems. Stands of whitewood trees rise from sand dunes, and low open saltbush shrubs grow across vast grasslands. There are lignum wetlands on the floodplains, and coolabahs line the creeklines in the park's south. Wedge-tailed eagles, red kangaroos and brolgas are just some of the extraordinary wildlife you’ll see here.

Highlights in this park

  • Budgerigars, Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park. Photo: Courtney Davies © DPIE

    Caryapundy lookout loop drive

    If you’re staying in Tibooburra and only have time for a day drive, try this return drive through Narriearra. Bring a picnic and set out on your journ...

  • A picnic area at Caryapundy lookout campground, Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park. Photo: Dan Hough © DPIE

    Caryapundy lookout campground

    If you enjoy remote, self-sufficient camping in outback NSW, Caryapundy lookout campground is for you. Located east of Tibooburra, it has an incredibl...

  • Ceramic remains from the Whittabrinnah Hotel, Whittabrinnah Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park. Photo: Courtney Davies © DPE

    Whittabrinnah heritage walk

    Step back in time when you do this short walk in Narriearra Carapundy Swamp National Park, near Tibooburra. It's an easy stroll around the Whittabrinn...

  • Blue-billed duck, Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park. Photo: Courtney Davies © DPIE

    Caryapundy tank bird hide

    If you’re a keen birdwatcher, don’t miss a visit to Caryapundy tank bird hide in Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park, near Tibooburra. It’s a gr...

 

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Hand holding a phone with NSW National Parks app on screen. Photo: Branden Bodman/DPIE

 

Discover Sturt by outback driving tour

Who knew NSW had a red desert? The land is arid in Sturt National Park but there's a sense of peace and solitude that’s hard to find elsewhere. Breathe in the big skies, epic landscapes, and contemplate the infinite nature of it all. So, let's get driving!

Sunset in Sturt National Park, Outback NSW. Photo: John Spencer/OEH

General enquiries

Contact

  • in the Outback NSW region
  • Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather, road closures or fire danger.
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