Waterholes, birdlife, stunning sunrises and sunsets.
Bright red dirt, grasshoppers, expansive horizon and wide open spaces.
Welcome to the Mulga lands and Currawinya National Park.
Located in south west Queensland this park is part of the Mulga lands.
The traditional owners of the land are the Budjiti People who still have close ties with the land. The Park's website puts their wishes in beautiful words, asking you to "walk softly, respecting the land’s rich natural and cultural heritage"
To learn about the environment, wildlife and flora you will encounter in the park before you head there (like I did = yes a NURD) there is a wealth of information available online.
Here are some links to resources I used.
Down load the park map before you go - as when in the park there is no cellular signal and your GPS device/map will not provide you with sufficient useful information, which this PDF map does provide:
Greeting the sun
Crawling out of a warm comfy bed to greet the dawn is difficult at 1st, but is always worth it, and most particularly here in Currawinya National Park.
Favourite Camping spots
There are several waterhole camp sites to choose from, my favourite of these was Corni Paroo Waterhole. I also stopped in the middle of the park at a random spot I named 'The Oasis' for one night and enjoyed that immensely as well.
While I think random camping is not encouraged, I will say in my defense that I left only foot prints, tyre treads and my happy thoughts floating in the air (is that even possible?).
Wildlife
Not as much visible wildlife as I had hoped to see.
Not as many large birds, and yet the park was full of bird calls.
An owl hooting through the night above my camp spot at Ourimperee Waterhole.
Camouflage
Swinging in my hammock I noticed this delightful creature out of the corner of my eye, his camouflage was so excellent that I only noticed him when he moved.
On the wing
Alerted by a deep barking call of this Pelican I rushed to grab my camera and was thrilled to have captured the moment it took flight.
Spider
Exploring near my 'oasis' campsite I almost stumbled into this magnificent creatures web.
Fully 10cm long and with a body as wide as one of my fingers this was a very large spider!
Look at the magnificence of the web which was at least a meter wide and tall.
The lakes & waterholes
The park has two large lakes near its centre, only separated by a kilometer or so
Lake Numalla - freshwater
Lake Myala - saltwater
Dispersed throughout the park are numerous waterholes and springs, separated by stretches of sparse vegetation growing stubbornly out of the red soil.
Video compilation of my journey through the park
This little video compilation will enable you the hear the bird calls and experience the park in a little more depth than mere photos can provide.
History of the former 'stations'
The park has assimilated several former stations into its boarders and if you enjoy exploring ruins & old machinery you will like Caiwarro Station ruins. The park has signboards explaining the history of the Cairwarro station which is very interesting reading.
Worth the detour?
Do you enjoy tranquility?
Do you enjoy vast open spaces?
Do you like a big sky, stunning sunrises and sunsets?
Do you like the sounds of birdcalls filling the air?
If you check yes to these, I think you will enjoy the park.
I think the following quote sums up what I feel about this part of the country:
"Those of us living and working out here treasure the harsh, rugged beauty and solitude of the Mulga Lands and know that you will too. Enjoy relaxing by a waterhole after a long drive; explore unique landscapes while discovering plants and animals not seen on the coast; meander through heritage sites and wonder about the harsh reality of life in the inland. Clear your mind of the everyday, and feel connected to the land in a way you’d never expect."
Tony Mayo, Senior Ranger, on behalf of the Park Rangers living and working in the Mulga Lands
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