National park · Australia

Yanga National ParkYanga National Park (NSW)

Entry is free; drive the Sturt Hwy to the Yanga Homestead turnoff 8 km southeast of Balranald and walk the 1 km Yanga Lake circuit before 10:00, or skip it if you only have a highway day — the homestead audio tour costs A$15 and the park is at its best April–October.Entry is free; drive the Sturt Hwy to the Yanga Homestead turnoff 8 km southeast of Balranald and walk the 1 km Yanga Lake circuit before 10:00 AM, or skip it if you only have a highway day — the homestead audio tour costs A$15 and the park is at its best April–October.Entry is free; drive the Sturt Hwy to the Yanga Homestead turnoff 5 mi southeast of Balranald and walk the 0.6 mi Yanga Lake circuit before 10:00, or skip it if you only have a highway day — the homestead audio tour costs A$15 and the park is at its best April–October.Entry is free; drive the Sturt Hwy to the Yanga Homestead turnoff 5 mi southeast of Balranald and walk the 0.6 mi Yanga Lake circuit before 10:00 AM, or skip it if you only have a highway day — the homestead audio tour costs A$15 and the park is at its best April–October.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

437 km²169 sq mi

approximate

Established

2005

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: 437 km²169 sq mi; Roughly 437 km² of river red gum forest, lakes and former pastoral land around Balranald (check).
Established: 2005
Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Permits: For some areas

Yanga National Park wraps around Balranald in the Lower Darling of outback New South Wales: river red gum forest, the Murrumbidgee floodplain and Yanga Lake, plus the buildings of a pastoral station that ran here from 1870. NSW National Parks bought the property in 2005 and opened it as a park, so the homestead, station store, refrigeration shed and the old woolshed are the sights, and the lake circuit is the walk. Entry is free, camping is A$6 a night, and the park is a natural half-day stop on the Sturt Highway between Mildura and Hay, or a pairing with Mungo National Park to the north.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 2005.

Size and age

437 km²169 sq mi · national park since 2005

Roughly 437 km² of river red gum forest, lakes and former pastoral land around Balranald (check).

Why go

A working pastoral story: the 1870 homestead, station store and the 1922 refrigeration shed that made ice for local dairies.
Yanga Lake is a Murrumbidgee floodplain wetland — when it holds water, the birdlife is the reason to come.
Free entry and two cheap campgrounds make it an easy overnight on the Lower Darling run.
The woolshed section sits on the Murrumbidgee with a river viewing platform, well away from the homestead crowds.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanAvoid
FebAvoid
MarCaution
AprBest
MayBest
JunGo
JulGo
AugGo
SepBest
OctBest
NovCaution
DecCaution

Jan40°C-plus days; walking is unpleasant by mid-morning104°F-plus days; walking is unpleasant by mid-morning
FebHot and dry; little shade on the lake track
MarCooling; still hot in the middle of the day
AprMild days, stable weather, birds returning
MayClear and cool; good camping nights
JunCold mornings, frost; quiet
JulColdest month; clear skies, no crowds
AugWarming; wildflowers start on the plains
SepMild and dry; best birdwatching window
OctWarm but not yet hot; long evenings
NovHeat building; snakes active
DecHot; go early or late only

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Yanga National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Waterbirds on Yanga Lake (ducks, herons, cormorants, pelicans)Apr–Oct · Numbers depend on water levels; the lake can be dry in drought years.	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no
Migratory waders passing through the floodplainMar–Apr, Sep–Nov	no	no	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no
Kangaroos and emus on the plains at dawn and duskAll year	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Snakes (brown snakes) near water and long grassOct–Mar · Wear boots and long trousers on the lake track.	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes

Arrive & move

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

How to get there

From Balranald

Sturt Hwy (A20) southeast about 8 km, then the Yanga Homestead Dr turnoff.Sturt Hwy (A20) southeast about 5 mi, then the Yanga Homestead Dr turnoff.

10 min

From Mildura

Sturt Hwy east through Balranald, then the homestead turnoff.

2.5–3 h

From Griffith

Sturt Hwy west via Hay and Balranald.

3–3.5 h

From Mungo National Park

Back through Balranald, then the Mungo road north; pair the two parks in one loop.

2.5–3 h

Zones and sectors

Zones of Yanga National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Homestead and Yanga Lake	1870 homestead, station store, refrigeration shed, lake viewing deck and the 1 km circuit.1870 homestead, station store, refrigeration shed, lake viewing deck and the 0.6 mi circuit.	Open daily; audio sets at the homestead.
Woolshed and Murrumbidgee	The old woolshed on Windomal Rd with a river viewing platform.	Open; unsealed access road.
Mamanga campground area	14 sites in river red gum country, with long-drop toilets and picnic tables.	Booked campers.
Woolpress Bend	Three remote sites on the Murrumbidgee, off-road caravans possible.	Booked campers; check road condition after rain.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions from Balranald to the homestead, woolshed and campgrounds, for orientation only.

1Balranald · Town≈-34.641, 143.562Map ↗
2Yanga Homestead · Headquarters≈-34.715, 143.609Map ↗
3Yanga Lake viewing deck · Viewpoint≈-34.716, 143.609Map ↗
4Yanga Woolshed · Village≈-34.661, 143.524Map ↗
5Mamanga Campground · Sleep≈-34.665, 143.514Map ↗
6Woolpress Bend Campground · Sleep≈-34.336, 143.894Map ↗

See & do

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

Top experiences

TrailsEasy30–45 minYanga Lake circuit1 km loop from the homestead area with lake views and birdwatching; the clay surface turns slick after rain.

CultureEasy1–1.5 hYanga Homestead self-guided tourStables, station store and gardening sheds; the refrigeration shed next door dates from 1922.Booking: Audio set at the homestead, A$15

Boat tripsModerate2–3 hYanga Lake paddleBring your own kayak or canoe; there is no hire on site. Only paddle when the lake holds water (check).

ViewpointsEasy45 minWoolshed and river platformOnce the largest woolshed in the Lower Darling; a short walk to the Murrumbidgee platform.

WildlifeEasy30 minYanga Lake viewing deckWooden deck over the water; best in the first hours after sunrise.

Practical

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

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check

Fees for Yanga National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry	Free	vehicle	No entry fee for NSW national parks such as Yanga; some parks in the state charge a vehicle fee, so confirm before a long detour (check).
Yanga Homestead self-guided audio set	AUD 15	audio set	2026 estimate; pay at the homestead, one set can be shared.
Mamanga Campground	AUD 6	night	Flat fee per night; book online with NSW National Parks.
Woolpress Bend Campground	AUD 6	night	Flat fee per night; only 3 sites.

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

Park entry no permit

No pass needed; drive in and park at the homestead or woolshed car parks.

Camping permit or guide

Book and pay online through NSW National Parks before arrival; sites are not staffed.

Drone use permit or guide

Permission from NSW National Parks is required; assume no flying without written approval (check).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Stay on marked tracks: The lake circuit and homestead paths are the walking routes; do not cut across floodplain clay, which is fragile and slippery.
Fires: Only in provided fireplaces at campgrounds, and only outside total fire ban days; check the NSW RFS ban status before lighting anything.
Dogs and pets: Not allowed in the park, including in vehicles on park roads.
Drones: Require permission from NSW National Parks; do not fly over the homestead, campgrounds or waterbird habitat (check).check
Heritage buildings: Do not enter closed sheds or climb on machinery; the homestead group is a heritage site.

Where to stay

In the park

Mamanga Campground

14 tent and caravan sites, long-drop toilets, picnic tables and barbecues; A$6 a night.

In the park

Woolpress Bend Campground

3 riverside sites on the Murrumbidgee; remote, unsealed access.

Near the park

Balranald motels and caravan parks

The practical base 10–15 min from the homestead turnoff, with fuel and shops.

Safety

Summer heat high

Walk before 10:00 or after 17:00 from November to March; carry 2–3 L of water per person and check the forecast.

Slippery clay after rain medium

The lake circuit and unsealed roads become greasy; check road status and wear grip soles.

Long drives with no phone signal medium

Fuel at Balranald, tell someone your route, and carry water and a spare tyre on the unsealed sections.

Snakes near water medium

Wear boots, watch where you step, and never handle a snake.

Accessibility

The homestead precinct, viewing deck and lake circuit start are on flat ground with short walks from the car park.
The 1 km lake circuit is unsealed clay and can be soft or slippery; wheelchair users should check conditions after rain.The 0.6 mi lake circuit is unsealed clay and can be soft or slippery; wheelchair users should check conditions after rain.
The woolshed and Woolpress Bend access roads are unsealed and not suitable for low-clearance vehicles.

Visiting lightly

Do not feed or approach wildlife; keep food sealed in camp.
Carry out all rubbish — there are no bins at the campgrounds.
Stay off closed floodplain tracks so river red gum seedlings and wetland plants recover.
Use the online booking system so campground numbers stay within the park's limits.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Yanga National Park?

Nothing. Yanga has no entry fee — you drive in and park. The only paid extras are the A$15 homestead audio set and A$6 a night for camping at Mamanga or Woolpress Bend. Some other NSW parks charge a vehicle fee, so check before a long detour.

What are the best hikes in Yanga National Park?

The 1 km Yanga Lake circuit from the homestead area is the main walk: flat, family-friendly and good for birdwatching, but slippery clay after rain. The other walking is short — around the homestead buildings, the refrigeration shed and the woolshed river platform. There are no long or hard trails.

When is the best time to visit Yanga National Park?

April to October. April, May, September and October give mild days, stable weather and the best birdwatching; June to August are cold but clear and quiet. Avoid December to February, when 40°C days make the lake track unpleasant by mid-morning.

Can I camp in Yanga National Park?

Yes, at Mamanga Campground (14 sites, long-drop toilets, tables and barbecues) or Woolpress Bend (3 riverside sites). Both cost A$6 a night and must be booked online with NSW National Parks. They fill on long weekends, especially Easter.

Do I need a park pass for Yanga?

No. NSW national parks such as Yanga do not use a single annual vehicle pass the way US or Canadian parks do; entry here is free and camping is paid per night. If you are touring several parks, check each park's own fee page.

Is Yanga worth visiting if I am only passing through on the Sturt Highway?

Yes for a 1.5–2 hour stop: the homestead turnoff is about 8 km southeast of Balranald, and the audio tour plus the lake circuit fit easily. Skip it if you are pushing to Mildura or Griffith in one day — the woolshed and Woolpress Bend add unsealed driving.

Deep dive

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

Sources

officialNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service — Yanga National Park
officialNSW National Parks — Yanga Homestead
officialNSW National Parks — Yanga Lake walking track
officialNSW National Parks — Mamanga Campground
officialNSW National Parks — Woolpress Bend Campground
secondaryWikivoyage: Yanga National Park, revision 5010586 (CC BY-SA 4.0)