Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru)

Overview

If you're exploring Toorale or Gundabooka national parks, Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru), near Bourke, is a basic bush camp with limited facilities. Set up your tent, campervan or…

If you're exploring Toorale or Gundabooka national parks, Darling River campground (Yapara Paaka Thuru), near Bourke, is a basic bush camp with limited facilities. Set up your tent, campervan or trailer in a peaceful spot beside the river, and see what makes this place so special to the Kurnu-Baakandji People.

The campground is ideally located for exploring the iconic Darling River drive, or Mount Talowla lookout with its sweeping views of the park. Discover the fascinating history of nearby Toorale Homestead, once the world's largest sheep station. Or, try your hand at fishing for yellow belly in the Darling River, beside the river red gums and coolibah trees.

It's a good idea to visit during the cooler months, between April and September. After the rains, the landscape comes to life with wildflowers, and the floodplains become a birdwatcher's paradise. Bring your binoculars to spot wedge-tailed eagles soaring above or spoonbills and Major Mitchell's cockatoos by the water. The Darling River is also a favourite watering hole for kangaroos, emus and goannas.

After a day of outback adventures, enjoy dinner against a magical sunset and starry night, as the kangaroos, emus and goannas come down to the river watering hole.