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National park · Australia

Toorale National Park

Go only if you are already driving the Darling River country out of Bourke: it is 70 km of mostly unsealed road to a homestead precinct and a 41 km river loop, with no fuel, no phone signal and one campground. Skip it on a short outback trip — Gundabooka is closer and has the rock art.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
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From where I am

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Area

915 km²

approximate

Established

2010

Best months

Apr–Aug

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

At a glance

Country
Australia
Area
915 km²
Roughly 91,000 ha of former station country on the Darling; the gazetted figure varies by source (check).
Established
2010
Best months
Apr–Aug
Permits
For some areas

Toorale is a former sheep and cattle station on the Darling River floodplain, west of Bourke in far northwestern New South Wales. Its draw is the homestead precinct at Yarramarra, run with the Kurnu-Baakandji people, and the Darling River Drive loop through some of the biggest floodplain country in the state. There is no visitor centre, no shop and almost no traffic: you come self-sufficient, in a vehicle that handles dirt, and you leave the same way.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 2010.

Size and age

915 km² · national park since 2010

Roughly 91,000 ha of former station country on the Darling; the gazetted figure varies by source (check).

Why go

  • The homestead precinct at Yarramarra, with Kurnu-Baakandji-led tours of a station that was once part of one of the largest sheep runs in the world.
  • The 41 km Darling River Drive loop, which crosses floodplain and river red gum country most outback travellers never see.
  • Genuine solitude: on a weekday outside school holidays you may see no other vehicle all day.
  • Free entry, so the only real cost is fuel and the drive from Bourke.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanAvoid
  2. FebAvoid
  3. MarCaution
  4. AprBest
  5. MayBest
  6. JunBest
  7. JulBest
  8. AugBest
  9. SepGo
  10. OctGo
  11. NovCaution
  12. DecCaution
  • Jan40 °C-plus days; unsealed roads can close after storms
  • FebHot and humid; storm risk
  • MarCooling but still hot; check road conditions
  • AprMild days, dry roads, good light
  • MayClear and cool; best walking weather
  • JunCold nights, sunny days; quiet
  • JulColdest nights, driest roads
  • AugWarming, still dry; wildflowers start
  • SepWarm and clear; wind picks up
  • OctHot afternoons; go early
  • NovHeat building; storms possible
  • DecHot; holiday traffic in Bourke

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Toorale National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Waterbirds on the Darling floodplain after rainApr–Oct · Numbers depend on flows; the floodplain fills only in wet years.nononoyesyesyesyesyesyesyesnono
Kangaroos and emus on the open station countryAll year · Most active in the first and last hours of daylight.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Wildflowers on the plainsAug–Oct · Best after a wet winter.nononononononoyesyesyesnono
Mosquitoes and flies near the riverNov–Mar · Bring repellent and cover up at dusk.yesyesyesnononononononoyesyes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Bourke

West on the Bourke–Milparinka Road for 32 km, left onto Toorale Road, then 38 km southwest to the park entrance; the last stretch is unsealed.

1–1.5 h

From Dubbo

Drive the Mitchell Highway northwest to Bourke, then continue as above; fuel and supplies in Bourke only.

6–7 h

Open the page →

From Gundabooka National Park

Back through Bourke and southwest on the Kidman Way, then unsealed access to Gundabooka.

2.5–3.5 h

From Sydney

Long drive via Dubbo and Bourke, or fly to Dubbo or Bourke and hire a vehicle; no public transport reaches the park.

10–12 h driving

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Toorale National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Homestead precinct (Yarramarra)The old station buildings, yards and the 200 m homestead walk, with Kurnu-Baakandji tours.Open daily 8:00–17:00; tours by arrangement.
Darling River floodplainRiver red gum, lignum and channels along the Darling, crossed by the Darling River Drive loop.Open; 4WD or a high-clearance vehicle after rain.
Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru)The only campground in the park, on the Weir Trail near the river.Booked campers only; no power, no water.
Western station countryOpen plain and former stock routes with no visitor facilities.Tracks only; do not drive off marked routes.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 5 approximate points in Toorale National Park, north up12345
Approximate positions from the park entrance to the homestead and campground, for orientation only.
  1. 1Bourke · Town≈-30.090, 145.937Nearest fuel, food and phone signal.Map ↗
  2. 2Park entrance (Toorale Road) · Gate≈-30.265, 145.401Approximate; reached from the Bourke–Milparinka Road.Map ↗
  3. 3Toorale Homestead precinct (Yarramarra) · Headquarters≈-30.279, 145.381Open daily 8:00–17:00.Map ↗
  4. 4Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru) · Sleep≈-30.288, 145.564On the Weir Trail; booking required.Map ↗
  5. 5Darling River Drive loop · Trail≈-30.300, 145.480Approximate midpoint of the 41 km loop.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsEasy1.5 hDarling River Drive (Yuthuru Paaka Thuru)A 41 km loop through floodplain and river red gum country; unsealed in parts and impassable after heavy rain.TrailsEasy30 minToorale Homestead walkA 200 m loop around the homestead buildings and yards; flat and suitable for most walkers.CultureEasy1–2 hKurnu-Baakandji homestead tourLed by Kurnu-Baakandji guides; the station's Aboriginal and pastoral history told on site.Booking: Arrange ahead through the Bourke office
WildlifeEasyHalf dayRiver fishing on the DarlingYellowbelly and Murray cod are the target; a NSW fishing licence is required and catch rules apply.
ViewpointsEasyOvernightCamping at Darling River campgroundBasic sites near the river; bring all water, food and a fuel stove.Booking: Book online before leaving Bourke

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check
Fees for Toorale National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entryFreevehicleNo entry fee for this park; NSW parks charge only where listed (check).
Darling River campgroundAUD 6bookingBooking fee per stay; pay online before you leave Bourke (check).
Kurnu-Baakandji homestead tourFreepersonPrice and schedule set by the tour operator; ask at the Bourke office (check).
NSW fishing licence (if fishing the Darling)FreepersonRequired for anyone 18 or over; buy from Service NSW before the trip (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry no permit

No permit or ticket; drive in and follow the signs.

Camping at Darling River campground permit or guide

Book and pay online through the NSW National Parks booking service before you leave Bourke; there is no phone signal at the park.

Fishing in the Darling River permit or guide

A NSW recreational fishing licence from Service NSW is required; rules on size and bag limits apply.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Stay on marked tracks
The station country is fragile and easy to get bogged in; do not drive off the formed routes.
Fires
Use a fuel stove; open fires are restricted and total fire bans apply on high-risk days (check).check
Fishing
A NSW recreational fishing licence is required, with size and bag limits for yellowbelly and cod.
Water
There is no drinking water in the park; carry all you need and do not rely on the river.
Dogs and pets
Not permitted in the park; leave them in Bourke.

Where to stay

In the park

Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru)

The only camping in the park; basic sites, booking fee, no water or power.

Near the park

Bourke

Motels, pubs and caravan parks about 70 km east; the sensible base for a day trip.

Safety

Remote unsealed roads high

Check road conditions with the Bourke office before leaving; after rain the access and the loop can be closed or boggy.

No phone signal high

Tell someone your plan and expected return; carry a personal locator beacon if you have one.

Heat high

Avoid December to February; in any month carry at least 4 L of water per person and start early.

Fuel and supplies medium

Fill up and buy food in Bourke; there is nothing at the park.

Wildlife and livestock on the road medium

Avoid driving at dawn and dusk, when kangaroos and emus move onto the road.

Accessibility

  • The homestead precinct and the 200 m homestead walk are flat and reachable by car, with short walks from parking.
  • The Darling River Drive loop and the campground are on unsealed surfaces; conditions vary and are not suitable for low-clearance vehicles after rain.

Visiting lightly

  • Take out everything you bring in; there are no bins in the park.
  • Use a fuel stove rather than collecting firewood from the river red gums.
  • Join a Kurnu-Baakandji-led tour so the park's cultural interpretation stays with its traditional owners.
  • Keep to the formed tracks to avoid damaging floodplain soils and vegetation.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Toorale National Park?

Entry is free. The only park charge is the booking fee for Darling River campground, about A$6 per stay, paid online before you leave Bourke. Add fuel for the 140 km round trip from Bourke and, if you fish, a NSW recreational fishing licence.

What are the best hikes in Toorale National Park?

There are no long hiking trails. The walking is the 200 m Toorale Homestead walk around the precinct, plus short wanderings at the campground. The main way to see the park is the 41 km Darling River Drive loop, which takes about 1.5 hours by vehicle.

When is the best time to visit Toorale National Park?

April to August. Days are mild and clear, nights are cold, and unsealed roads are usually dry. December to February is too hot for walking and storms can close the access road; check conditions with the Bourke office in any month.

Can I visit Toorale National Park without a 4WD?

A high-clearance vehicle is safer, and after rain the unsealed access and the Darling River Drive loop may need a 4WD or may be closed. In dry conditions a conventional car can reach the homestead precinct, but check road conditions first.

Is there anywhere to stay or eat in the park?

No. Darling River campground is the only place to sleep and it has no water, power or shop. Bring all food and water, and base yourself in Bourke for motels, pubs and supplies.

Is Toorale worth it compared with Gundabooka National Park?

Gundabooka is closer to Bourke and has rock art and short walks, so it suits a half-day stop. Toorale is a longer, rougher drive for station history and river floodplain country, and suits travellers who want the quiet and have the time.

Related

New South Wales Plan your trip to Australia National park passes

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources