National park · Australia
Goobang National ParkGoobang National Park (NSW)
Go only if you are already driving the Newell Highway between Dubbo and Parkes: 4 km (2.5 mi) Burrabadine track plus Caloma lookout is a half day, entry is free, and you pay A$6 to book a campsite. Skip it as a destination on its own.Go only if you are already driving the Newell Highway between Dubbo and Parkes: 2.5 mi (4 km) Burrabadine track plus Caloma lookout is a half day, entry is free, and you pay A$6 to book a campsite. Skip it as a destination on its own.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
420 km² (162 sq mi)162 sq mi (420 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
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
- 420 km² (162 sq mi)162 sq mi (420 km²)
- Roughly 420 km² of the Herveys Range and surrounding forest; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Goobang National Park protects the largest surviving block of forest and woodland in the NSW central west, on the low Herveys Range about an hour south of Dubbo and an hour north of Parkes. Coastal and inland plants and animals meet here, which is why the state kept the timber reserve and made it a national park in 1995. There is no gate, no entry fee and almost no infrastructure: one graded 4 climb to Burrabadine peak, one lookout 50 m from the car park, and two small campgrounds booked online for A$6. Treat it as a half-day stop on the Newell Highway, not a destination; Coolah Tops and the Warrumbungles are the bigger parks in the region.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
420 km² (162 sq mi)162 sq mi (420 km²) · national park since 1995
Roughly 420 km² of the Herveys Range and surrounding forest; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- The largest remaining block of forest and woodland in the NSW central west, where coastal and inland species overlap.
- Burrabadine walking track: a 4 km (2.5 mi) return climb to a rocky peak with wide views over farmland and range country.Burrabadine walking track: a 2.5 mi (4 km) return climb to a rocky peak with wide views over farmland and range country.
- Caloma lookout is 50 m from the car park, so even a 20-minute stop gets you a view and a chance of wedge-tailed eagles.
- Two small campgrounds, A$6 to book, no entry fee and no crowds on weekdays.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanMid-30s °C; exposed track, snakes active
- FebHot; wettest part of the year
- MarCooling; green after summer rain
- AprMild days, clear air, dry tracks
- MayCrisp mornings; best walking
- JunCold nights near 4 °C (39 °F); quietCold nights near 39 °F (4 °C); quiet
- JulColdest; frost in the gullies
- AugCold, dry, good visibility
- SepWarming up; wildflowers starting
- OctWarm and dry; snakes out again
- NovWarm; go early in the day
- DecHot afternoons; storms build
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kangaroos, wallabies and echidnasAll year · Most visible at dawn and dusk, especially near the campgrounds. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wedge-tailed eagles and other raptorsMar–Oct · Soaring over the range on clear, still mornings. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Snakes (eastern browns and red-bellied blacks)Oct–Mar · Active in warm weather; stay on the track and wear boots. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflowers and flowering eucalyptsSep–Nov · The park protects one of the last eucalypt remnants in the central west. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Dubbo
South on the Newell Highway (A39) about 48 km (30 mi), then east on Gundong Road 16 km (9.9 mi), then right onto the unsealed Nickos Trail into the park.South on the Newell Highway (A39) about 30 mi (48 km), then east on Gundong Road 9.9 mi (16 km), then right onto the unsealed Nickos Trail into the park.
1–1.5 h
From Parkes
North on the Newell Highway about 70 km (43 mi), then the same Gundong Road and Nickos Trail turn-off.North on the Newell Highway about 43 mi (70 km), then the same Gundong Road and Nickos Trail turn-off.
1–1.5 h
From Sydney
Drive via the Blue Mountains and Bathurst, or fly or train to Dubbo and hire a car there.
5–6 h by road
From Central West bases
Where to sleep and what else to see around Dubbo, Parkes and Forbes.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Herveys Range (centre) | The low ridge through the middle of the park, with Burrabadine peak and the main north–south trail. | Open; walk in from Greenbah or drive the unsealed trails. |
| Greenbah area (centre) | Six-site campground and the start of the Burrabadine track a few hundred metres south. | Open with a booked site; day parking free. |
| Caloma lookout (south) | The park's only lookout, 50 m from the car park on Caloma Walking Track. | Open; short sealed-standard walk from the parking area. |
| Wanda Wandong (northeast) | Ten-site campground with short unnamed walking trails through eucalypt forest. | Open with a booked site; furthest from the main sights. |
Sketch map
- 1Greenbah campground · Sleep≈-32.771, 148.353Map ↗
- 2Burrabadine walking track start · Trail≈-32.775, 148.351Map ↗
- 3Caloma lookout · Viewpoint≈-32.681, 148.333Map ↗
- 4Wanda Wandong campground · Sleep≈-32.636, 148.384Map ↗
- 5Gundong Road and Nickos Trail turn-off · Gate≈-32.690, 148.290Approximate; the entry point from the Newell Highway side.Map ↗
- 6Dubbo · Town≈-32.257, 148.601Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate, taken from park listings and the Herveys Range, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | vehicle | No entry fee for Goobang; NSW charges entry only at a handful of parks (check). |
| Camping at Greenbah or Wanda Wandong | AUD 6 (≈ US$4) | night | Booking fee per stay, paid online before you arrive; 2026 estimate. |
| Vehicle access | Free | vehicle | Free; park roads are unsealed. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Campsite booking permit or guide
Park office enquiries no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in the two designated campgrounds, Greenbah and Wanda Wandong; no bush camping anywhere else in the park.
- Fires
- Use the fireplaces provided and check total fire bans before lighting anything; bans are common in summer (check).
- Dogs and other pets
- Not allowed in the park, including in vehicles on park trails.
- Driving
- All park roads are unsealed; they are fine for a 2WD in dry weather but can be soft or closed after heavy rain (check).
- Rubbish and wildlife
- Take all rubbish out; do not feed kangaroos, possums or birds.
Where to stay
In the park
Greenbah campground
Six sites in the centre of the park, a few hundred metres from the Burrabadine track; book ahead, A$6.
In the park
Wanda Wandong campground
Ten sites in the northeast, quieter and further from the lookout; book ahead, A$6.
Near the park
Dubbo or Parkes motels
The practical base if you do not want to camp; both towns are about an hour from the park gate.
Safety
Heat on the Burrabadine climb medium
Snakes on the track medium
Unsealed roads after rain medium
No phone signal and no facilities low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Caloma lookout is the accessible option: a 50 m walk from the car park on a fairly level surface.
- Burrabadine walking track is steep, rocky and graded 4; not suitable for wheelchairs, prams or limited mobility.
- Campgrounds have basic pit toilets and no showers; expect unsealed surfaces throughout.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the marked track; the park protects one of the last eucalypt remnants in the region and off-track walking damages regrowth.
- Take all rubbish home, including food scraps that attract foxes and cats.
- Keep to total fire bans; the central west has had serious fire seasons and the park's forest is slow to recover.
- Do not feed or approach wildlife; pests such as foxes, cats and goats are already a problem in the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Goobang National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee and no gate at Goobang. You only pay if you camp: A$6 per stay to book Greenbah or Wanda Wandong campground online. Fuel and food in Dubbo or Parkes are your main costs.
What are the best hikes in Goobang National Park?
Burrabadine walking track is the main one: 4 km return, graded 4, 1.5–2.5 hours, climbing west from near Greenbah campground to a rocky peak. Caloma lookout is a 50 m walk from the car park and the best short stop. Wanda Wandong has short unsigned trails through eucalypt forest.
When is the best time to visit Goobang National Park?
April, May, September and October. Days are mild and dry, the track is firm and the views are clear. Summer (December–February) is hot, often in the mid-30s °C, and snakes are active; winter nights drop to around 4 °C but days are fine for walking.
Do I need a 4WD to get into Goobang National Park?
No, in dry weather. You reach the park from the Newell Highway via Gundong Road and then the unsealed Nickos Trail, and all park roads are unsealed. A 2WD is usually fine when it is dry, but clay surfaces turn soft after rain, so check conditions first.
Can I camp anywhere in Goobang National Park?
No. Camping is only allowed at Greenbah (6 sites) and Wanda Wandong (10 sites), and you must book online before you arrive. There is no bush camping, no lodge and no shop in the park.
Is Goobang National Park worth a detour?
Only if you are already on the Newell Highway between Dubbo and Parkes. It is a half-day stop: Caloma lookout, the Burrabadine climb and a campground evening. For bigger scenery in the region, Coolah Tops and the Warrumbungles are the stronger parks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks — Goobang National Park
- officialNSW National Parks — Burrabadine walking track
- officialNSW National Parks — Caloma lookout
- officialNSW National Parks — Greenbah campground
- officialNSW National Parks — Wanda Wandong campground
- secondaryWikivoyage: Goobang National Park, revision 5039579 (CC BY-SA 4.0)