Bourke’s National Parks a huge attraction

National Parks around Bourke are becoming a huge attraction for visitors following the relaxation of travel restrictions within NSW.

The local Area Manager of National Parks and Wildlife Service, Melissa Hams says that there were 175 campers online camping bookings at local parks between Monday night and 9th July, with more expected.

The bookings relate to camping at the Culgoa Campground at Culgoa National Park, the Darling River Campground on Toorale National Park, Yanda Campground on Gundabooka State Conservation Area, and Dry Tank Campground on Gundabooka National Park.

On top of this, all hard-roofed accommodation has been booked out until September this year.

Accommodation includes the Redbank Homestead that sleeps 12 and is beautifully located on the banks of the majestic Darling River.

There’s also the Belah Shearer’s Quarters sleeping 12 amongst the red earth and mulga, the Yanda Campground on the Darling River with BBQ’s, picnic, and toilet facilities, and the Dry Tank Campground amongst the Mulga, with camp sites and toilet facilities. 

National Parks Area Manager Melissa Hams says the visitor numbers in local national parks are incredible.

Ms Ham says people are travelling north to Bourke and can’t go any further, so they are taking advantage of the national parks and other attractions around Bourke.

“The Queensland border is still shut so we are getting more visitors who are staying around Bourke longer.

“The Culgoa, Toorale and Gundabooka National Parks are pretty much full up with campers and we’ve had an incredible number of visitors at all of the parks.

Ms Ham said the attraction of the National Parks was great for Bourke because all the visitors had to buy fuel and groceries and many stopped to visit the coffee shops, and the bakery.

“Many of the farm stays are also booked out, and we’re hearing that Stuart National Park out at Tibooburra is also being inundated with visitors. 

“We expect the visitor numbers and camping bookings to be busy right through to October,” Melissa said, “it’s as good as I’ve ever seen it for visitor numbers.”

Come and enjoy Bourke’s National Parks:

The Back O’Bourke is an iconic Australian destination, with vast spaces rich in natural beauty and human history. 
This is the big country, a taste of outback Australia under a wide blue sky. There are three National Parks around Bourke, and you can visit one park or roam the lot:
• Culgoa National Park
• Toorale National Park and State Conservation Area, and
• Gundabooka National Park and State Conservation Area

Attractions include native wildlife, ancient rivers and creeks, Aboriginal and pastoral heritage, spectacular rock art, wheeling cockatoos and constantly changing plant life. You can book a campsite online, drive, or walk to explore this fascinating part of the outback. 
There are four campgrounds:
• The Darling River Campground on Toorale National Park
• Yanda Campground on Gundabooka National Park
• Dry Tank Campground on Gundabooka National Park and
• Culgoa Campground on Culgoa National Park.

Plus, a homestead on the banks of the Darling River or Belah Shearer’s Quarters on Gundabooka National Park – these sleep twelve people each.
There are also the following day use picnic areas and walking tracks:
• Mulgowan Aboriginal Art Site Day Use Picnic Area
• Little Mountain Walking Track and Viewing Platform
• Bennett’s Gorge Day Use Picnic Area and walking track
• Talowla Day Use Picnic Area and walking track
• Warrego Floodplain Drive and Day Use Picnic Area and walking track
• Toorale Homestead precinct 
• Many Big Rocks Day Use Picnic Area; and
• Culgoa River walk 
• King Charlie Water Hole at Nocoleche Nature Reserve

For more maps and information, telephone direct to the Bourke Area Office during business hours. Ph: (02) 6830 0200.

   

Source: The Western Herald