Coolabah Woodlands and River Country on the Edge of Outback NSW

Overview

Culgoa National Park protects a broad stretch of river country in far north-west New South Wales, about 40km west of Goodooga and roughly 800km north-west of Sydney. Set along the Culgoa River, the park covers floodplains, inland woodlands and open grasslands that feel distinctly outback, with big skies, flat country and long runs of river red gums tracing the watercourse.

This is a place shaped by river flows rather than mountains or coast. The park was created to conserve vegetation communities that have been widely cleared or altered in surrounding agricultural areas, giving it a real importance beyond its quiet, remote setting.

Highlights

The defining feature here is the combination of the Culgoa River and its broad floodplain. River red gum country, grassy flats, billabongs and patches of brigalow-gidgee woodland give the landscape a strong sense of contrast, especially when the light shifts across the open plain.

Culgoa is also known for its coolabah woodland, with more coolabah than any other national park in New South Wales. That gives the park much of its character, alongside the dry inland colours, scattered shade trees and the sense of space that comes with being so far out in the state’s north-west.

Best Time to Visit

The cooler months are generally the most comfortable time to be here for walking. After wetter periods, the floodplain can look especially fresh, with wildflowers adding colour across the grasslands and woodland edges.

Plants and Animals

Culgoa National Park protects inland riverine woodlands, open grasslands and floodplain habitats that support a notable range of native species, including several that are threatened in New South Wales. The plant life includes coolabah, river red gum and brigalow-gidgee communities, along with the uncommon capparis loranthifolia.

Birdlife is a big part of the park’s appeal. Species recorded here include Australian bustard, grey falcon, painted honeyeater, pink cockatoo and brolga. Native mammals such as koala, striped-faced dunnart and little pied bat also form part of the park’s wildlife values.

Culture and Heritage

Culgoa National Park lies within Morowari Country and contains a significant number of Aboriginal sites, including open camp sites and scarred trees. The landscape remains important to local Aboriginal communities.

The park also carries pastoral history from the three stations that once occupied this country, with heritage features including homesteads, shearing sheds, tanks, bores and fences.