Thornley campgrounds

Murray Valley National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Book a camping stay in the Thornley area of Murray Valley National Park. You can choose to camp on the high banks of the Murray at Hennessy campground or down on the water at Thornley Beach.

Choose from 2 campgrounds when you arrive:

  • Hennessy campground
  • Thornley Beach campground

There are no camping fees but a $6 booking fee applies. Bookings are required. Book online or call 1300 072 757.

Permitted

  • Campfires are permitted between April and September.
  • Collection of deadfall timber is permitted for small campfires only.

Prohibited

  • You can’t remove firewood from the park. Chainsaws are not permitted.
  • Pets and domestics animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted in Murray Valley National Park. If you want to camp with your dog, find a campground in Murray Valley Regional Park.

Vehicle access and road quality

Lower River Road and roads within the Thornley area are unsealed. 4WD vehicles recommended when wet. Campervans/RVs are permitted in Hennessy campground but will not fit down the trail into Thornley Beach.

How to get there

Thornley campgrounds are around 20km west of the Tocumwal township. To get there:

  • Follow Tuppal Road for 6km and turn right onto Lower River Road.
  • Follow Lower River Road for 11km, turn left onto Bullatale Road and follow this into the Thornley area.
  • Once you have arrived choose from one of the 2 campgrounds.

There are no rubbish collection points. Please take all rubbish when you leave.

Nearby

  • Sunset on the Murray River, Murray Valley National Park. Photo: John Spencer/OEH

    Woperana campgrounds

    Spend the night among majestic river red gums at 1 of 3 campgrounds in the Woperana area of Murray Valley National Park. With campsites right on the Murray River, it's an ideal place to pitch your tent or bring your camper trailer.

These maps give a basic overview of park attractions and facilities, and may not be detailed enough for some activities. We recommend that you buy a topographic map before you go exploring.

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/thornley-campgrounds/local-alerts

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All the practical information you need to know about Thornley campgrounds.

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Learn more

Thornley campgrounds is in Murray Valley National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Aboriginal heritage

Two friends fishing at the river, Murray Valley National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

The river red gum forests of the Murray Valley are the traditional Country for Aboriginal people. The landscape and all that it contains; rivers, forests, birds and animals are part of cultural beliefs and feature in Dreaming stories. The park provided a wealth of resources, including plants that were used as medicines and in tool making. The river was a rich food source; in some seasons the water was so clear and the fish plentiful. When you're exploring the park, keep your eyes open for Aboriginal sites, especially middens, oven mounds and scarred trees, where bark has been removed from the tree to make canoes, coolamons and shields.

An abundance of treasures

Bird watching on the river, Murray Valley National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

The Ramsar-listed Murray Valley wetland is home to over 60 threatened native animal species and 40 threatened plant species. Lay down the paddle of your canoe and sit in the silence, enjoying the company of egrets and cormorants, and keep an eye out for the superb parrot, slender and bright green. You may also see night herons, black swans, yellow rosellas, ducks, falcons, cockatoos, tree creepers, pardalotes, kingfishers and owls - this is truly a bird-lover's paradise.

  • Moira Drive The scenic Moira drive takes you through the gorgeous river red gum forest around the mighty Murray River. Walk to the water bird observatory and stop for a picnic lunch.
  • Murray River canoe trails These 4 canoe trails in Murray Valley National Park and Victoria’s Barmah National Park offer something for every paddler. Canoe the flowing Murray River, secluded creeks or Barmah Lake.
  • Personalised birding tours around Deniliquin Keen birders will love these tailored outings by Australian Ornithological Services. They're a great way see rare and endemic birds, including plains wanderers, in the unique ecosystems near the outback town of Deniliquin.
  • Reed Beds Bird Hide boardwalk It’s an easy walk along the boardwalk to Reed Beds Bird Hide, with fun things to do along the way. Listen to see how many different bird calls you can hear on the way.

Forestry history

Woman observes red gum logging, Murray Valley National Park. Photo: Gavin Hansford

The magnificent river red gums have made this an important area for forestry and milling since the mid-nineteenth century. By the 1870's, construction of railway lines brought great demand for red gum sleepers; logging became a key feature of this area's industry. Wood-chopping events have long been a feature of local festivals and many people who live in Mathoura are third and fourth-generation timber workers.

River red gum country

View of the river, Murray Valley National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

This iconic landscape features the huge river red gums soaring from the banks of the Murray and wetlands that make up this part of the Riverina's important ecosystem. This new park, formed from a number of former state forests, is part of the largest continuous river red gum forest in the southern hemisphere and is an important and unique ecosystem.

  • Moira Drive The scenic Moira drive takes you through the gorgeous river red gum forest around the mighty Murray River. Walk to the water bird observatory and stop for a picnic lunch.
  • Personalised birding tours around Deniliquin Keen birders will love these tailored outings by Australian Ornithological Services. They're a great way see rare and endemic birds, including plains wanderers, in the unique ecosystems near the outback town of Deniliquin.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • Five pelicans stand at the beach shore in Bundjalung National Park as the sun rises. Photo: Nick Cubbin © DPE

    Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

    The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.

  • Eastern snake-necked turtle on a rock. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

    Eastern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis)

    Found across most of NSW, the eastern snake-necked turtle, also known as the eastern long-necked turtle, can be found in swamps, lakes and inland waterways. This freshwater turtle is carnivorous and lives most of its life submerged on the water’s edge, searching for worms and snails.

  • Closeup of a laughing kookaburra's head and body. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

    Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

    Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.

  • Brush tail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

    Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

    One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.

Plants

  • River red gum, Murrumbidgee Valley National Park. Photo: Paul Childs

    River red gum (Eucalpytus camaldulensis)

    Australian native plants, majestic river red gum trees are widespread across Australian inland river systems. The river red gum is a dominant tree species of the Murray-Darling basin which spans NSW, Queensland and Victoria. This iconic native eucalypt grows to a height of 30m and is thought to have a lifespan up to 500-1000 years.

Environments in this park

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