Merton motor trail

Willandra National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Whether you’re driving or cycling, the Merton motor trail at Willandra National Park is the perfect way to experience the park’s various wildlife habitats and historic past.

Where
Willandra National Park in Murray-Riverina
Distance
20km loop
Time suggested
3hrs
Grade
Easy
Entry fees
Park entry fees apply
Please note
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird watch
  • There is limited mobile reception in this park

Merton motor trail is a 20km loop that passes through the various spectacular landscapes and wildlife habitats of the park. Whether you’re driving or cycling, stop along the way to explore remnants of the area’s historic past, both Aboriginal and pastoral. Why not take a picnic lunch and make a day of it?

It’s believed that Aboriginal people first came to this area over 45,000 years ago. On the scalds near Halls Lake, years of erosion have uncovered evidence of their daily lives. Keep your eyes open for the remains of oven hearths, stone flakes and broken pieces of grinding dishes.

The trail also passes Merton Outstation. Wander these untouched ruins and consider what life might have been like on this and other isolated outstations of Big Willandra. At Willandra Creek, park and walk 200m upstream to the old sheep bridge across which livestock was once herded between paddocks.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map


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Map legend

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/things-to-do/cycling-trails/merton-motor-trail/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Merton motor trail.

Getting there and parking

Merton motor trail begins in the Willandra Homestead precinct of Willandra National Park. To get there:

  • Begin at the Homestead precinct, drive south for 1km, then turn west along the Willandra Creek trail.
  • Where the trail divides, take the southwest route. This trail leads to Halls Lakes before looping back to join the Willandra Creek trail near Merton Outstation.

Road quality

Check the weather before you set out as the road to Willandra National Park can become boggy when it rains.

Parking

Parking is available at Willandra Homestead

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Willandra National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

Like spring, this season is also a time of mild weather.

Spring

Spring brings mild weather and fantastic birdwatching opportunities, as well as being the best time for wildflower displays. Drive, cycle or walk the scenic Merton trail or follow the Nilla Yannagalang Billana walking trail to make the most of what's on offer at this time of year.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

17°C and 32°C

Highest recorded

46°C

Winter temperature

Average

7°C and 16°C

Lowest recorded

-4.4°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

October

Driest month

February

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

119.6mm

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Cycling safety

Hundreds of cyclists head to our national parks for fun and adventure. If you're riding your bike through a national park, read these mountain biking and cycling safety tips.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Outback safety

Safety is of high priority in outback areas. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 50°C in some places. Food, water and fuel supplies can be scarce. Before you head off, check for road closures and use our contacts to stay safe in the outback.

Prohibited

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Learn more

Merton motor trail is in Willandra National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    A closer look at Aboriginal culture

    Merton trail, Willandra National Park. Photo: David Egan

    Evidence of Aboriginal people's lives on this land can best be seen on the scalds near Halls Lake, near the Merton trail, where erosion has exposed a number of objects. Take a look at (but please don't touch) the remains of oven hearths, broken pieces of grinding dishes and stone flakes. Nilla Yannagalang Billana, the only formal walking track in the park, means 'walking along together' in Wiradjuri.

    • Merton motor trail Whether you’re driving or cycling, the Merton motor trail at Willandra National Park is the perfect way to experience the park’s various wildlife habitats and historic past.

    Plain to see

    Dry creek, Willandra National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Windmill, cane, spear and white top - the names of Australian native grasses really have evolved to become far more fun than their original Latin terms. These grasses now make up most of the ground cover on the park's plains. Saltbush and cottonbush dominated - and still does - but Europeans quickly recognised the nutritional value of these plants and a century of grazing has changed the environment. A hike through the wetlands, woodlands and grasslands of the park, rich with birds and animals, is a reminder of how nature continues to adapt.

    • Nilla Yannagalang Billana The Nilla Yannagalang Billana is an easy walking track that follows Willandra Creek and passes sites of great historical and cultural significance.

    The ringer looks around

    Shearers Quarters, Willandra National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Big Willandra Station once stretched from Hillston to Mossgiel and covered an area eight times that of what is now Willandra National Park. Some buildings from the huge merino stud are in ruins, while others have been restored. In its time, Big Willandra saw it all: illegal squatting, leasehold, freehold, homesteading, the establishment of the Western Lands Commission, resumptions and soldier settler occupation. Today, you can enjoy cheap heritage accommodation, ideal for a weekend family or group getaway.

    • Merton motor trail Whether you’re driving or cycling, the Merton motor trail at Willandra National Park is the perfect way to experience the park’s various wildlife habitats and historic past.
    • Nilla Yannagalang Billana The Nilla Yannagalang Billana is an easy walking track that follows Willandra Creek and passes sites of great historical and cultural significance.
    • Willandra Homestead Visit Willandra Homestead, the lovingly restored pastoral station of Big Willandra. Step back in time, enjoy a barbecue and watch waterbirds on Willandra Creek.
    • Willandra shearing precinct Explore the rustic and distinctive woolshed and shearers’ quarters of the Willandra Shearing precinct to experience the fascinating working history of Big Willandra.

    What bird is that?

    Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Willandra National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Could there really be 195 species of birdlife within an area of less than 20,000ha? The diversity of Willandra's natural environment — from woodland and wetland to grassland and open plain — provides a variety of habitats. The result is an eclectic mix that includes emu, swan, seagull, night heron, raptor and duck. Set yourself the challenge to see how many different birds you can spot during your visit.

    • Nilla Yannagalang Billana The Nilla Yannagalang Billana is an easy walking track that follows Willandra Creek and passes sites of great historical and cultural significance.

    Education resources (1)