The rugged and untamed expanse of the NSW outback is poised to welcome a new addition — the newly designated Cuttaburra National Park. Spanning an impressive 37,422 hectares, this park will be a sanctuary for native flora and fauna including endangered species, shimmering waterholes, swamps, open floodplains, and striking landscapes that feel straight out of a country song. Australia’s newest national park is set to open in 2025 inviting nature lovers and adventure seekers to explore its one-of-a-kind ecological treasures and learn more about its cultural significance. Here’s an overview of what to expect at the Cuttaburra National Park in NSW.
Cuttaburra National Park
There are plenty of incredible national parks to explore near Sydney including Australia’s oldest national park, located just an hour’s drive from the city, and the wonderful Booderee National Park with white sand beaches and botanic gardens. But what is bound to draw people to Cuttaburra National Park is its sense of remoteness and its promise of fewer crowds away from the city.
It is named after Cuttaburra Creek which meanders through the park for 20 kilometres, along with the adjacent Yantabulla Swamp Cuttaburra Basin, and offers a fresh new way to experience the vast expanse of the outback. A diverse variety of landscapes can be found here including stony mulga hills, grassy open floodplains, woodlands, swamps, the Cuttaburra and Burrawantie creeks, and the Maranoa Waterhole.
What is the location of Cuttaburra National Park?
If you’re travelling from Sydney, you’ll need to be prepared for a long drive out, more specifically at least 11 hours but you’ll be rewarded with a wealth of activities and excellent views. Nestled deep in the NSW outback, on Paroo and Warrego River Country in the far north of NSW, the park is located 150 kilometres northwest of the historic outback town of Bourke.
What attractions can visitors expect there?
The Cuttaburra National Park will primarily act as a nature conservation area setting it apart from the typical offerings of NSW national parks while still offering recreational activities to those wanting to adventure in the wilderness. The park is a dense playground for biodiversity with 292 plant species and at least 158 native animal species, 12 of which are listed as threatened some of which include the brolga, stripe-faced dunnart, yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat, and the eastern fat-tailed gecko. Birdwatching opportunities abound here with 109 different species of birds and the chance to spot migratory shorebirds and waterbirds.
Other activities include exploring the local shrublands, sand dunes, floodplains, and more. Planned visitor opportunities will also include campgrounds, driving tours, and birdwatching.
When will it open?
The park has not yet opened and conservation work is currently the main focus. Visitors will most likely be welcome soon in 2025. You can keep up to date and read more about the Cuttaburra National Park here.