LOCAL NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT
Peery Lake
Paroo-Darling National Park
If you’re looking for a peaceful spot to unwind on your outback adventure, cook up a barbecue and stretch your feet at Peery Lake picnic area. You’ll have a view of Peery Lake, and maybe a surprise visit from local kangaroos and emus enjoying a feed.
When Peery Lake is full, it transforms into a spectacular inland playground for water birds, and you can take a canoe out for a paddle. Even when it’s dry, the lake bed is home to freshwater plants and animals. Hear the calls of pink cockatoos, mulga parrots and red-backed kingfishers, and you might even spot the elusive grey falcon if you’re lucky.
May to November is the best time to visit, especially when winter rains bring a wonderful show of wildflowers in spring.
Peery Lake is a significant place to the Barkandki Aboriginal Traditional Owners, and you'll find Aboriginal sites are scattered all around the lake's edge and surrounding cliffs.
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From White Cliffs:
Take White Cliffs Mandalay Road (SR6) for 33km
Turn left at the T-junction on to Wilcannia Wanaaring Road (SR5), and follow for 20km.
A short 2km unsealed road to the right off the Wilcannia Wanaaring Road takes you to the picnic area.
From Wilcannia:
Take the Wilcannia Wanaaring Road (SR5) north for approximately 108km
Turn right at the signs for Peery Lake day use area and drive 2km to the Peery Lake carpark
Road quality
Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available at the Peery Lake picnic area carpark
From the carpark its 50m walk to the shelters, gas BBQ and 30m to the toilet
There is parking for 7 vehicles and 2 larger vehicles (buses/caravans)
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It's a haven for waterbirds, so the best time of year to visit is when Peery Lake is full. Spring is a good time to see emu chicks and at other times you may see kangeroos, eagles and falcons.
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Summer temperature
Average: 23°C and 36°C
Highest recorded : 48.6°C
Winter temperature
Average : 5°C and 19°C
Lowest recorded : -3.3°C
Peery Lake is in an isolated part of the region and you should have provisions for yourself and passengers for at least a full-day.
Your vehicle should be in good condition and fuel up before departure from the last town.
Limited mobile phone access.
There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet.
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted.
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Mutawintji National Park
Mutawintji National Park is one of the most moving and culturally significant areas of NSW and should be put towards the top of any visitor wish list. The wonderful sandstone ridges and gorges fills the senses with wonderment and it is one of those places where you can feel the cultural significance of the area and the land; and why it so significant to the Indigenous culture.
Dominated by the Bynguano Ranges, whose vibrant red colour dramatically captures changes in the light, this outback park is home to the famous hand stencil art of local Aboriginal communities as well as many other important cultural and historic sites.
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Mutawintji National Park is about 2 hrs drive (75km off the Barrier Highway) north-east of Broken Hill. (Dry weather road).
Access from Wilcannia is via White Cliffs (75km sealed).
The route to Mutawintji National Park via White Cliffs (155 km – about 2.5 hours unsealed) makes for a wonderful adventure to visit these two icons of Outback NSW.
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Mutawintji National Park is best visited during autumn, winter and spring when daytime weather is pleasant. Summer in the outback can be very hot.
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Summer temperature
Average 30°C and 35°C
Highest recorded 48.6°C
Winter temperature
Average 17°C and 31°C
Lowest recorded -3.3°C
Wettest month - January
Driest month - September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day - 140.2mm
Limited mobile phone access.
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted.
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