Overview
Get to know regional New South Wales on a 7-day outback tour with Ardent Quest. You’ll experience vast landscapes, ancient culture and life on the land between Melbourne and Gundabooka National Park.
- When
- Contact Ardent Quest for tour dates.
- Where
- Gundabooka National Park in Outback NSW
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Grade
- Medium. Suitable for adults and children over 12 with a basic level of fitness. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Price
- Contact Ardent Quest for pricing information.
- Entry fees
- Price includes park entry fee
- Meeting point
- Pick-up from central Melbourne locations will be arranged when you make a booking
- Bookings
- Bookings required, Book online, email Ardent Quest or call 0409 057 063.
Slow down and connect with Australia’s outback on this all-inclusive small group tour. It’s an epic return drive from Melbourne to the remote Gundabooka National Park. You’ll experience authentic station stays, meaningful cultural encounters and extraordinary natural landscapes.
Stay on working outback properties and meet families who have thrived here for generations. Gain insight into sheep and crop production, water management, sustainability and the resilience required to live on the land.
Stand in the dramatic Valley of the Eagles beneath Mount Gundabooka, explore ancient Aboriginal rock art at Yappa (Mulgowan), and experience Baiame’s Ngunnhu (Brewarrina Fish Traps), one of the oldest human-made structures on Earth. Discover historic towns, striking silo art, paddock-to-plate dining and spectacular star-filled skies.
The tour price covers all transport, accommodation meals and park fees. You’ll be travelling in a comfortable 10-seat minibus.
Ardent Quest is a is a licensed commercial tour operator with a Parks Eco Pass.
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/guided-tours/7-day-melbourne-to-gundabooka-outback-tour/local-alerts
Operated by
Park info
- in Gundabooka National Park in the Outback NSW region
Gundabooka National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about 7-day Melbourne to Gundabooka outback tour.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Contact Ardent Quest for information about transfers and pick-up locations.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Not wheelchair-accessible
Learn more
7-day Melbourne to Gundabooka outback tour is in Gundabooka National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
An emphasis on conservation
A visit to Gundabooka National Park offers the wonderful opportunity to spot some of Australia's rarest birds and animals. Several threatened species - including the little pied bat, kultarr, pink cockatoo and painted honeyeater - have been recorded in the area. The park also includes 21 different plant communities, including threatened plant species like the curly bark wattle.
- 7-day Melbourne to Gundabooka outback tour Get to know regional New South Wales on a 7-day outback tour with Ardent Quest. You’ll experience vast landscapes, ancient culture and life on the land between Melbourne and Gundabooka National Park.
- Little Mountain walking track Ideal for outback birdwatching and walking with kids, Little Mountain walking track offers a gentle walk with scenic views of Gundabooka National Park, near Bourke.
An important place
Gunderbooka range is highly significant to the Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji people of western NSW. Before it became a national park, the area was home to the Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji people of western NSW. Ceremonial events were held within the range. On your visit, you'll see Aboriginal rock art, with motifs including dancers and animals.
- Yapa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal art site walking track Yapa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal art site walking track offers a unique Outback experience with Aboriginal rock art and birdwatching in Gundabooka National Park, near Bourke.
Pastoral history
Though noted by Charles Sturt in 1829, the Gunderbooka range wasn't used by pastoralists until the late 1800s. The range was included in neighbouring sheep stations which were then subdivided after World War I. Today, three of these smaller stations - Ben Lomond, Belah and Mulgowan - make up Gundabooka National Park. Check out the old homesteads, quarters, fences, tanks, shearing sheds and yards on your visit.
Rewarding walks
There are a number of opportunities to stretch your legs along one of the well-signed walks in Gundabooka National Park. Take the wonderful Mulareenya Creek Art Site track and see fascinating Aboriginal rock art. Walking the Little Mountain track is also well worth the effort with impressive views awaiting you at the summit.
- Bennetts Gorge picnic area Stop and relax at Bennetts Gorge picnic area when you visit Gundabooka National Park. Enjoy a barbecue or bring a picnic hamper before walking on to Mt Gunderbooka.
- Valley of the Eagles walk Valley of the Eagles walk starts at the popular Bennetts Gorge picnic area and explores the imposing Mount Gunderbooka in Gunabooka National Park.
The beautiful outback
Gundabooka National Park is located in northwest NSW, approximately 50km southwest of Bourke and 110km northwest of Cobar. The 63,903ha national park extends from the Darling river banks to the Gunderbooka range. Vast stretches of grassy woodlands, open plains and rust-coloured rock dominate the landscape.
- 7-day Melbourne to Gundabooka outback tour Get to know regional New South Wales on a 7-day outback tour with Ardent Quest. You’ll experience vast landscapes, ancient culture and life on the land between Melbourne and Gundabooka National Park.
- Little Mountain walking track Ideal for outback birdwatching and walking with kids, Little Mountain walking track offers a gentle walk with scenic views of Gundabooka National Park, near Bourke.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)
The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.
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Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)
With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.
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Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus)
The red kangaroo is one of the most iconic Australian animals and the largest marsupial in the world. Large males have reddish fur and can reach a height of 2m, while females are considerably smaller and have blue-grey fur. Red kangaroos are herbivores and mainly eat grass.
Plants
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Mulga (Acacia aneura)
Mulga are hardy Australian native plants found throughout inland Australia. With an unusually long tap root, the mulga is able to withstand long periods of drought.
Environments in this park
Operated by
Park info
- in Gundabooka National Park in the Outback NSW region
Gundabooka National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
What's nearby:
Things to do (23)
- Aboriginal culture (6)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (8)
- Cultural heritage (2)
- Fishing (1)
- Historic heritage (2)
- Picnics and barbecues (8)
- Road trips and car/bus tours (3)
- Sightseeing (7)
- Walking (10)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (3)