National park · Australia
Currawinya National Park
Go only if you are already driving Outback Queensland with a 4WD: camp two nights at the Woolshed or Caiwarro, drive the sand track to Lake Numulla early, and skip it in summer (40°C days) and after rain, when the unsealed Hungerford Road turns to mud.Go only if you are already driving Outback Queensland with a 4WD: camp two nights at the Woolshed or Caiwarro, drive the sand track to Lake Numulla early, and skip it in summer (104°F days) and after rain, when the unsealed Hungerford Road turns to mud.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,510 km²583 sq mi
approximate
Established
1991
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
- 1,510 km²583 sq mi
- Roughly 1,500 km² of mulga, river frontage and two lake beds; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Apr–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Currawinya is a remote park in far south-west Queensland, on the Paroo River between Eulo and Hungerford. It is dry mulga and red-soil country with two big freshwater lakes, Lake Numulla and Lake Wyara, that fill from local rain and draw thousands of waterbirds, including pelicans. The park also holds the old Caiwarro station ruins, a preserved shearing woolshed, granite outcrops at the Granites, and a fenced enclosure run by the Save the Bilby Fund. There is no public transport, no fuel, no drinking water and no mobile signal; you need your own vehicle, and a 4WD for the lake and Granites tracks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandLake Numulla and Lake Wyara are listed as wetlands of international importance (check the listing year).
Size and age
1,510 km²583 sq mi · national park since 1991
Roughly 1,500 km² of mulga, river frontage and two lake beds; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Two large freshwater lakes in dry country, with pelicans and other waterbirds when they hold water.
- A shearing woolshed you can walk through, plus the rubble and chimneys of old Caiwarro station on the Paroo River.
- The Granites: big granite outcrops you can scramble over, with a picnic area at the end of the track.
- One of the few places where you can see how the bilby fence works, with panels and a fence sample at the Woolshed.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- Jan40°C days; storms can close roads104°F days; storms can close roads
- FebHot; wet-season rain
- MarCooling; rain still possible
- AprMild days, cold nights
- MayDry and clear
- JunCold nights, below 0°C possibleCold nights, below 32°F possible
- JulPeak walking weather; frosty mornings
- AugDry; good birding on the lakes
- SepWarming; still dry
- OctHot afternoons; last comfortable month
- NovHot; first storms
- DecVery hot; road closures likely
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelicans and waterbirds on Lake NumullaAll year · Numbers depend on water; the lakes can be dry. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Kangaroos and emusAll year · Often on the roads, especially at dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Turtles in the Paroo River and lakesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mulga snake and other snakesOct–Mar · Active in the warm months; leave them alone. | 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 Eulo
Unsealed Hungerford Road south to the park boundary; the closest fuel and shop.
About 1 h
From Hungerford
Unsealed Hungerford Road north into the park; the pub sometimes has fuel, so call ahead.
About 45 min
From Thargomindah
Do not use the Old Thargomindah Road: it is closed at the park boundary. Drive via Hungerford instead.
3–4 h
From Brisbane
Long drive west via Cunnamulla and Eulo, or fly to Cunnamulla or Thargomindah and hire a 4WD.
10–12 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Paroo River and Caiwarro | Old station ruins, chimneys, a waterhole and a camping area. | Open; 2WD can reach the camping area in dry weather. |
| Woolshed area | Preserved shearing shed, bilby fence display, toilets and camping. | Open; short walks from the car park. |
| Lake Numulla and Lake Wyara | Big freshwater lakes, birdlife, picnic tables and a walk. | 4WD sand track only; swimming allowed in Lake Numulla. |
| The Granites | Granite outcrops and a picnic area in the south of the park. | Graded road, then about 2 km of sand that can defeat a 2WD.Graded road, then about 1.2 mi of sand that can defeat a 2WD. |
| Bilby enclosure | A 25 km x 25 km predator-proof fence run by the Save the Bilby Fund.A 16 mi x 16 mi predator-proof fence run by the Save the Bilby Fund. | Not open to visitors and not signposted; see the fence sample at the Woolshed. |
Sketch map
- 1Eulo · Town≈-28.167, 145.050Approximate; closest fuel and shop.Map ↗
- 2Hungerford · Town≈-28.983, 144.400Approximate; southern entry point.Map ↗
- 3Woolshed camping area · Sleep≈-28.750, 144.500Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Caiwarro station ruins · Village≈-28.850, 144.550Approximate; on the Paroo River.Map ↗
- 5The Granites · Viewpoint≈-28.900, 144.450Approximate; south of the Hungerford Road.Map ↗
- 6Lake Numulla · Beach≈-28.950, 144.350Approximate; 4WD sand track.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (vehicle, per day) | Free | vehicle | Queensland national parks are free to enter; camping is the paid item (check current Queensland Parks rules). |
| Camping at the Woolshed or Caiwarro | AUD 7–14 | person per night | 2026 estimate; book online before you leave phone range. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Camping permit permit or guide
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Bilby fence
- Do not drive to the fence; it is not signposted and visitors are asked to stay away. See the sample at the Woolshed.
- Water
- Bring all drinking water. The Paroo River and Lake Numulla are fresh water but should not be relied on for drinking.
- Fires
- Check current fire restrictions before lighting anything; total bans are common in outback Queensland (check).check
- Roads
- The Old Thargomindah Road is closed at the park boundary; do not follow maps that route you that way.
- Litter and wildlife
- Take all rubbish out; do not feed or approach animals.
Where to stay
In the park
Woolshed camping area
Basic sites with toilets; book online before you arrive.
In the park
Caiwarro camping area
Sites by the Paroo River with toilets; 2WD-accessible in dry weather.
Near the park
Eulo
Pub accommodation and the closest fuel and supplies.
Near the park
Hungerford
Small pub with rooms; fuel only sometimes, so call ahead.
Safety
Breakdown on remote sand roads high
No mobile reception high
Summer heat high
Getting disoriented off-track medium
Snakes medium
Accessibility
- The Woolshed, Caiwarro and the Granites picnic area are reached by vehicle with only short walks.
- Lake Numulla needs a 4WD on sand; the track is not suitable for limited mobility or low-clearance vehicles.
Visiting lightly
- Book and pay for camping online so park management can track visitor numbers.
- Take out everything you bring in; there are no bins in the park.
- Keep to the lakes' marked walks so nesting and feeding birds are not disturbed.
- Support the bilby work by buying from the Eulo general store rather than looking for the fence.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Currawinya National Park?
Entry is free: Queensland national parks have no gate or entry ticket. You pay only for camping, roughly A$7–14 per person per night in 2026, booked online before you drive in.
What are the best hikes in Currawinya National Park?
There are no long trails. The walks are short: the lakes near Lake Numulla, the scramble over the Granites, and the walk around the Woolshed and Caiwarro ruins. Plan on driving between them rather than hiking.
When is the best time to visit Currawinya National Park?
April to September. Days are around 25°C, nights are cold (below 0°C in winter), and the roads are usually dry. December to February brings 40°C days and rain that can close the unsealed roads.
Do I need a 4WD for Currawinya?
For the lake and Granites tracks, yes. The sand-formed roads to Lake Numulla and the last 2 km to the Granites picnic area are the problem sections. A 2WD can reach the Woolshed and Caiwarro in dry weather.
Is there fuel, water or phone signal in the park?
No. There is no fuel, no drinking water and no mobile reception on any network. Eulo is the closest fuel; the Hungerford pub sometimes has fuel, so call ahead.
Can I see the bilbies?
No. The bilby enclosure is closed to visitors and not signposted. You can see a fence sample and explanatory panels at the Woolshed.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go