National park · Australia
Toorale National Park
Go only if you are already driving the Darling River country out of Bourke: it is 70 km (43 mi) of mostly unsealed road to a homestead precinct and a 41 km (25 mi) 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.Go only if you are already driving the Darling River country out of Bourke: it is 43 mi (70 km) of mostly unsealed road to a homestead precinct and a 25 mi (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.
- 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
915 km² (353 sq mi)353 sq mi (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 (353 sq mi)353 sq mi (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 (353 sq mi)353 sq mi (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 (25 mi) Darling River Drive loop, which crosses floodplain and river red gum country most outback travellers never see.The 25 mi (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
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- Jan40 °C (104 °F)-plus days; unsealed roads can close after storms104 °F (40 °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
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbirds on the Darling floodplain after rainApr–Oct · Numbers depend on flows; the floodplain fills only in wet years. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Kangaroos and emus on the open station countryAll year · Most active in the first and last hours of daylight. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflowers on the plainsAug–Oct · Best after a wet winter. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mosquitoes and flies near the riverNov–Mar · Bring repellent and cover up at dusk. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
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 Bourke
West on the Bourke–Milparinka Road for 32 km (20 mi), left onto Toorale Road, then 38 km (24 mi) southwest to the park entrance; the last stretch is unsealed.West on the Bourke–Milparinka Road for 20 mi (32 km), left onto Toorale Road, then 24 mi (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
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| 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.Open daily 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; tours by arrangement. |
| Darling River floodplain | River 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 country | Open plain and former stock routes with no visitor facilities. | Tracks only; do not drive off marked routes. |
Sketch map
- 1Bourke · Town≈-30.090, 145.937Nearest fuel, food and phone signal.Map ↗
- 2Park entrance (Toorale Road) · Gate≈-30.265, 145.401Approximate; reached from the Bourke–Milparinka Road.Map ↗
- 3Toorale Homestead precinct (Yarramarra) · Headquarters≈-30.279, 145.381Open daily 8:00–17:00.Open daily 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.Map ↗
- 4Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru) · Sleep≈-30.288, 145.564On the Weir Trail; booking required.Map ↗
- 5Darling River Drive loop · Trail≈-30.300, 145.480Approximate midpoint of the 41 km (25 mi) loop.Approximate midpoint of the 25 mi (41 km) loop.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 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 from the park entrance to the homestead and campground, 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 this park; NSW parks charge only where listed (check). |
| Darling River campground | AUD 6 (≈ US$4) | booking | Booking fee per stay; pay online before you leave Bourke (check). |
| Kurnu-Baakandji homestead tour | Free | person | Price and schedule set by the tour operator; ask at the Bourke office (check). |
| NSW fishing licence (if fishing the Darling) | Free | person | Required 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
Camping at Darling River campground permit or guide
Fishing in the Darling River permit or guide
Park rules
- 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 (43 mi) east; the sensible base for a day trip.Motels, pubs and caravan parks about 43 mi (70 km) east; the sensible base for a day trip.
Safety
Remote unsealed roads high
No phone signal high
Heat high
Fuel and supplies medium
Wildlife and livestock on the road 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 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.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks — Toorale National Park
- officialNSW National Parks — Toorale Homestead precinct (Yarramarra)
- officialNSW National Parks — Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru)
- officialNSW National Parks — Darling River Drive
- secondaryWikivoyage: Toorale National Park, revision 4651410 (CC BY-SA 4.0)