Currawinya National Park

Currawinya National Park is in southwestern Outback Queensland.

Understand

Landscape

Red soils, little grass cover, mulga, river gums, lakes, wetlands, rocky outcrops.

The Granites in Currawinya

Flora and fauna

• There is a large amount of birdlife in the park around the waterways. Thousands of pelicans can be seen at Lake Numulla.
• Kangaroos and Emus are abundant, and are often seen on the roads.
• Turtles in or near the rivers.

Climate

Hot during the daytime in summer (up to 40°C). Mild from April to October (around 25°C), which is the best time to visit. Cold overnight, dropping to under 10°C even in summer, and below 0°C in winter.

Get in

Entry points to the park are on the Hungerford Road, at Hungerford in the south, and at Eulo in the north. The road is unsealed. There is no public transport available within the park, or near to the park. Some maps, for example Google Maps, show an entrance frp, Thargomindah via the Old Thargomindah Road. This road is closed at the park boundary, and to get to Thargomindah you must go (nearly) through Hungerford.

Fees and permits

Day entry to the park is free. Permits are required for overnight camping and cost around $4.50 per person per night.

Get around

You must have a car to see the park. A 4wd is recommended, and is required to get to Lake Numulla and the Granites because of formed sand roads. There is no fuel available within the park. Eulo is the closest. Hungerford pub sometimes has fuel available, but call ahead.

There are toilets located at Caiwarro, and at the Woolshed.

See

• Caiwarro Station Ruins. The old Caiwarro station is not well preserved. All that is left there is rubble and a few chimneys. The station is adjacent to the Paroo River waterhole. 

The Woolshed in Currawinya National Park

• The Granites (off Hungerford Road in the south of the park.). These are large granite outcrops quite nice to look at or to climb over. The road out to the granites is well graded, but the last 2 km or so to the picnic area is sand formed, and may be tricky to traverse in a 2wd vehicle. 
• Lakes. Lake Numulla is accessible by 4wd road. Turn off towards the Granites off Hungerford Road, and then turn almost immediate left. The road is not steep or difficult, but it is sand formed in places. The lakes have walks, picnic tables, and aquatic activities are permitted on Lake Numulla. Quite striking to see such large lakes in such dry country. free. 
• Bilby Fence. The Bilby fence is a 25km x 25km fence set up by the Save the Bilby fund. You can visit the group at the National Parks Centre in Charleville. You are requested not to go to the actual fence and the location is not signposted in the park. You can see a sample of the fence and some explanatory panels at the Woolshed. 
• Woolshed. The Woolshed is a real shearing shed, fantastically preserved. You can explore the whole place, and hear the echos of the mechanical shears. free. 

Do

• Walk. There are bushwalks at the lakes and elsewhere 
• Swim. At Lake Numulla (4wd only) or in the Paroo River at Caiwarro. 

Buy

There is nothing to buy in the park. You can buy a fluffy bilby at the general store in Eulo to help save the bilby.

Eat

There is no food available within the park. Thrre are picnic areas at Caiwarro, the woolshed, and the ranger's station.

Drink

There is no water, or any other drinks, available within the park. Bring your own from Hungerford or Eulo. The Paroo river and Lake Numulla are fresh water, but should not be counted on for drinking water.

Sleep

Camping

Camping is available at the Woolshed and at Caiwarro.

Stay safe

• Always best to let someone know where you are going. The Hungerford Road seems fairly well traversed, but a breakdown on the other roads may see you stranded overnight, so be prepared.
• You need to carry sufficient supplies of water, food and fuel for the journey, and some in reserve.
• There are snakes in the park, including the Mulga Snake, leave them alone.
• Take care walking far from the road. The country, with its red soils and Mulga shrubs has a certain sameness which is disorienting, and the lack of any grass cover means that a track cannot be followed or marked effectively - the tracks appear to go everywhere.
• There is no mobile phone reception for any mobile networks in the park.

Go next

Hungerford, Eulo, Thargomindah and Yowah are within reasonable driving distance of the park.