National park · Australia
Sturt National Park
Go only as part of a Corner Country loop: enter free, drive the 104 km (65 mi) Gorge Loop Road in 2–3 h from Tibooburra, walk the short gorge trails at dawn, and skip it entirely in Dec–Feb heat.Go only as part of a Corner Country loop: enter free, drive the 65 mi (104 km) Gorge Loop Road in 2–3 h from Tibooburra, walk the short gorge trails at dawn, and skip it entirely in Dec–Feb heat.
- 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
3,400 km² (1,313 sq mi)1,313 sq mi (3,400 km²)
approximate
Established
1972
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
- 3,400 km² (1,313 sq mi)1,313 sq mi (3,400 km²)
- About 340,000 ha (3,400 km²); the park runs roughly 140 km from end to end (check).
- Established
- 1972
- Best months
- Apr–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Sturt National Park is 340,000 ha of arid floodplain, red dunes and low rocky ranges in the far north-west corner of New South Wales, where the state meets Queensland and South Australia. It is a driving park, not a walking one: the sealed Silver City Highway reaches Tibooburra, then gravel roads fan out to gorges, historic station buildings and the dingo fence. Entry is free. The reason to come is the emptiness, the birdlife around the wetlands near Fort Grey, and the Corner Country route itself — not a checklist of sights.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandLake Pinnaroo wetland near Fort Grey is Ramsar-listed (check).
Size and age
3,400 km² (1,313 sq mi)1,313 sq mi (3,400 km²) · national park since 1972
About 340,000 ha (3,400 km²); the park runs roughly 140 km from end to end (check).
Why go
- Free entry and almost no other people: on a weekday outside school holidays you may see no one on the gravel roads.
- The Gorge Loop Road packs the park's best scenery, a historic homestead and good kangaroo and emu sightings into a half day.
- Corner Country birdlife: 197 species recorded, with waterbirds on the wetlands after rain.
- Cameron Corner, the three-state survey marker, is a short drive from the park's northern edge.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- Jan40 °C (104 °F)+ days; homestead accommodation closed104 °F (40 °C)+ days; homestead accommodation closed
- FebHot; storms can close dirt roads
- MarStill hot; mornings only
- AprMild days, cool nights
- MayClear, dry, comfortable
- JunCool days, near-freezing nights
- JulCold nights, best walking weather
- AugWarming; wildflowers start
- SepWarm, windy, dusty
- OctHot by late month
- NovHeat building; flies
- DecExtreme heat; accommodation closed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red, western grey and eastern grey kangaroosAll year · Most visible in the first and last hours of daylight. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| EmusAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Waterbirds on Lake Pinnaroo and floodplain wetlandsMar–Sep · Numbers depend on recent rain. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Reptiles (central bearded dragon, shingleback)Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov · Active on warm days; watch where you step. | no | no | yes | yes | 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 Broken Hill
Silver City Highway (B79) north; sealed to Tibooburra, then gravel park roads.
4 h
From Tibooburra
Park roads start at the town edge; the visitor centre is on Briscoe Street.
5–20 min
From Cameron Corner
Gravel roads south from the corner into the park's northern section.
1–1.5 h
From Sydney
Fly or drive to Broken Hill, then the highway north; no scheduled flights to Tibooburra.
2 days by road
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Tibooburra and the visitor centre | Town services, Courthouse Museum, Outdoor Pastoral Museum and the park's main access roads. | Open; centre may be unstaffed. |
| Gorge Loop Road and Mount Wood | The main scenic drive, gorge country, historic homestead and shearers quarters, campground. | Open; gravel, 2WD possible in dry weather. |
| Olive Downs | Northern section with a walking loop and a campground known for kangaroos. | Open; gravel. |
| Fort Grey and Lake Pinnaroo | Remote western section, wetland and ruins, the quietest camping. | Open; 4WD recommended after rain. |
Sketch map
- 1Tibooburra · Town≈-29.430, 142.011Map ↗
- 2Sturt Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈-29.430, 142.01151 Briscoe Street; may be unstaffed.Map ↗
- 3Dead Horse Gully campground · Sleep≈-29.417, 142.001Map ↗
- 4Mount Wood Homestead · Sleep≈-29.481, 142.234Map ↗
- 5Olive Downs campground · Sleep≈-29.059, 141.863Map ↗
- 6Fort Grey campground · Sleep≈-29.088, 141.213Map ↗
- 7Cameron Corner · Ranger station≈-28.999, 141.000Approximate; three-state border marker.Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 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.
Approximate positions for orientation only; park roads are unsealed and not always shown accurately on maps.
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 this park; NSW parks passes do not apply here (check). |
| Camping per night (Dead Horse Gully, Mount Wood, Olive Downs, Fort Grey) | AUD 0–15 (≈ US$0–10) | adult per night | 2026 estimate; book and pay online before arrival, no cash at the sites (check). |
| Mount Wood Homestead or Shearers Quarters | AUD 100–250 (≈ US$70–170) | night | 2026 estimate; whole-building or per-room rates vary, closed 1 Dec–28 Feb (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
Homestead and shearers quarters permit or guide
Park rules
- Water
- Carry at least 5 L per person per day in summer and 3 L at other times; there is no reliable drinking water in the park.
- Driving at night
- Avoid it. Stock, kangaroos and unsealed edges make night driving here more dangerous than in most outback parks; if you must, stop at Tibooburra.
- Mobile coverage
- None inside the park; Telstra only in Tibooburra. Carry a personal locator beacon or satellite messenger.
- Fires
- Check total fire bans before lighting anything; use designated fireplaces only and never leave a fire unattended.
- Dogs and pets
- Not permitted in the park; the dingo fence and wildlife make this a hard rule.
Where to stay
Near the park
Dead Horse Gully campground
Granite boulder sites close to Tibooburra; unmarked sites, treat water before drinking.
In the park
Mount Wood campground and shearers quarters
Camping plus historic accommodation on the Gorge Loop Road; quarters sleep up to 32 in eight rooms.
In the park
Olive Downs campground
Northern camping with kangaroos around the sites.
In the park
Fort Grey campground
Remote western camping next to ruins; excellent stargazing on clear nights.
Near the park
Tibooburra
Motel, pub and caravan-park beds, 5–20 min from the park roads; the only option when homestead accommodation is closed.
Safety
Heat exhaustion and dehydration high
Breakdown or getting bogged on remote gravel high
Snake bite medium
Dust storms and wildfire medium
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
- The Gorge Loop Road and Mount Wood buildings involve short walks from a car park on gravel.
- Trails are unsealed, uneven and often sandy; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- The Tibooburra visitor centre and Courthouse Museum are step-free (check).
Visiting lightly
- Stay on existing tracks; off-road driving damages soil crusts that take decades to recover.
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins in the park.
- Keep distance from wildlife and never feed kangaroos or emus.
- Use the online booking system so visitor numbers at each campground stay within capacity.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sturt National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee and no vehicle pass for this park. You pay only for camping, which is booked online and is roughly A$0–15 per adult per night in 2026, and for the historic homestead or shearers quarters if you stay in them.
What are the best hikes in Sturt National Park?
There are few marked walks. The best short options are the Olive Downs walking loop in the north and the tracks around Mount Wood Homestead on the Gorge Loop Road. Most visitors treat the 104 km Gorge Loop Road drive as the main activity and walk short sections from the car.
When is the best time to visit Sturt National Park?
April to August. Days are mild, nights can drop to single digits, and the gravel roads are usually dry. December to February is extreme heat and the homestead accommodation is closed; September and October are workable but hot and dusty.
Do I need a 4WD?
Not for the Gorge Loop Road or the main campgrounds in dry weather — a 2WD can manage the gravel. You do need high clearance and preferably 4WD for the Fort Grey and Cameron Corner tracks, and any road after rain.
Is there fuel, water or phone signal in the park?
No. Fuel and supplies are in Tibooburra; carry all your own water and treat any tank water before drinking. There is no mobile coverage in the park, and Telstra coverage only in Tibooburra.
Can I drive to Sturt National Park at night?
No. Night driving here is more dangerous than in most outback parks because of stock, kangaroos and unsealed road edges. If you arrive late, stop in Tibooburra and continue at sunrise.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go