Wells and Sturt’s tree walking track

Sturt National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Retrace the footsteps of a famous explorer in the stunning and remote outback landscape of NSW’s far north-west. You'll rediscover history, see majestic red river gums and cross a dry lakebed, near Cameron Corner.

Distance
7km loop
Time suggested
3 - 4hrs
Grade
Grade 3
Trip Intention Form

It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.

Entry fees
Park entry fees apply
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
Please note
  • Wells walk is a 4km loop, and the optional return walk across Lake Pinaroo about 3km.
  • Check the weather before you set out. Roads within Sturt National Park may close in wet weather.
  • The landscape around Lake Pinaroo changes with the seasons. On the rare occasions that Lake Pinaroo is full, you can’t access Sturt's tree walk.
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch and don’t forget your camera.
  • This park is remote. Please ensure you are thoroughly prepared and bring appropriate clothing and equipment.

Allow about 3hrs for this fascinating 7km walk in Sturt National Park, taking in the loop of Wells walk and the return leg of Sturt’s tree walk across Lake Pinaroo’s dry surface. 

From the east end of Fort Grey campground set out along Wells walk. Before long before you'll glimpse the remnants of this area’s farming past, including the ruins of Old Fort Grey homestead, well worth a stop. As you explore this landscape of red sand dunes and woodland, keep an eye out for kangaroos in the brush, and grey falcons and black breasted buzzards overhead.

Closer to the shores of Lake Pinaroo you'll find river red gums, and on the lakebed itself just past an old well, the start of Sturt’s tree walk. If the lake is dry, you can follow this optional route to retrace the path of explorer Captain Charles Sturt on his quest for the inland sea he believed lay at Australia’s heart. After taking in Sturt's tree, a blazed coolabah, it's time to turn back and complete the loop of Wells walk. 

Lake Pinaroo fills very infrequently, but when it does you can’t do Sturt’s tree walk. During these rare floods, it's still well worth a trip to see the abundance and variety of birds flocking to this internationally recognised wetland.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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/things-to-do/walking-tracks/wells-and-sturts-tree-walking-track/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Wells and Sturt’s tree walking track.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

7km loop

Time

3 - 4hrs

Quality of markings

Sign posted

Experience required

Some bushwalking experience recommended

Gradient

Gentle hills

Steps

Occasional steps

Quality of path

Formed track

Getting there and parking

Wells and Sturt's tree walking track starts at Fort Grey campground, which is located in the western part of Sturt National Park.

Parking

Parking is available at Fort Grey campground

Best times to visit

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

Autumn

A great time of year to visit when daytime temperatures are pleasant and night times not too chilly.

Spring

Depending on the rainfall the park's wildflowers, including the distinctive red Sturt Desert Pea will be on show throughout the park.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

22°C and 36°C

Highest recorded

47.6°C

Winter temperature

Average

5°C and 17°C

Lowest recorded

-2.8°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

February

Driest month

August and September

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

178.2mm

Facilities

Toilets

Toilets are located at Fort Grey campground.

  • Non-flush toilets

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

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.

Visitor centre

Learn more

Wells and Sturt’s tree walking track is in Sturt National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

A vast and varied precious landscape

Rocky hills in Sturt National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Tibooburra means 'heaps of rocks' in the local Aboriginal language, and you can't miss the rocks - ancient granite tors that surround Tibooburra and line the road on the way to the park. This contrasts with the red sand of the desert on the western side of the park and with the 'Jump Ups' that rise from the plains in the central part of the park. Wherever you go in Sturt National Park, you're sure to be inspired by the dramatic changes in scenery and amazed by the true scale of the vast, arid expanse of outback.

  • Jump-Up Loop Road drive A fantastic self-guided car tour of the outback country of Sturt National Park, Jump-Up Loop Road drive offers scenic desert views, historic heritage and excellent birdwatching.
  • The Granites walking track Explore the geological history of Sturt National Park along The Granites walking track. See wildflowers, kangaroos and lizards as you walk over the ancient boulders.

A feral predator-free area

A golden bandicoot. Photo: Judy Dunlop © DPE

Locally extinct mammals are being reintroduced to Sturt National Park as part of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) feral predator-free areas project, in partnership with Wild Deserts. Over 10 years this project will reintroduce the greater bilby, crest-tailed mulgara, western barred bandicoot, greater stick-nest rat, golden bandicoot, burrowing bettong and western quoll.

Reintroducing these species, some of which have been absent for over 100 years, will play an important role in restoring the desert ecosystem in Sturt National Park. The project, funded by the NSW government, is a collaboration between NPWS and Wild Deserts (University of New South Wales and Ecological Horizons).

  • Talpero lookout Visit Talpero lookout for expansive desert views and see ‘the big bandicoot’ sculpture. It’s located 2 hours from Tibooburra, near Fort Grey campground in Sturt National Park.
  • Wells and Sturt’s tree walking track Retrace the footsteps of a famous explorer in the stunning and remote outback landscape of NSW’s far north-west. You'll rediscover history, see majestic red river gums and cross a dry lakebed, near Cameron Corner.

Ancient connections

Sturt's Tree walk, Sturt National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Sturt National Park is the traditional land of the Wangkumara People, whose Country extended from what is now southwest Queensland and northeast South Australia down through Tibooburra to Milparinka. The Wangkumara People travelled widely throughout this large and arid land to make the most of waterholes, permanent soaks, useful plants and animals. Today there is much evidence of the Wangkumara People's connection with this land - throughout the park you might notice middens and stone relics; reminders of the role this landscape played as the giver and sustainer of life.

  • Jump-Up walking track Discover the landscape of Sturt National Park along the Jump-Up walking track; you’re likely to see Aboriginal sites, wildflowers and kangaroos along the way.
  • Talpero lookout Visit Talpero lookout for expansive desert views and see ‘the big bandicoot’ sculpture. It’s located 2 hours from Tibooburra, near Fort Grey campground in Sturt National Park.

A waterbird oasis

Lake Pinaroo, Sturt National Park. Photo: OEH

Lake Pinaroo is around 80 km north west of Tibooburra and 24km south east of Cameron Corner. It’s an ephemeral lake, meaning it floods for short periods of time and then may not hold water for several years, depending on rainfall. In 1996, it was listed as an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention because of its retention of water for long periods, and the rarity of wetlands in arid NSW. Lake Pinaroo plays a crucial role in the survival of many plants and animal species, and supports large numbers of waterbirds and waders, including international migratory species and threatened species. When full, Lake Pinaroo is a stunning contrast to the dry landscapes of Sturt National Park, and you can see waterbirds like the freckled and blue-billed ducks, as well as brolgas, grey falcons and budgerigars.

Heritage values of the homestead

Outdoor Pastoral Museum, Sturt National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Historic Mount Wood Homestead is located on the oldest sheep station in northwest NSW, taken up around 1881. Listed on the State Heritage Register, it’s one of the most complete examples of a self-reliant sheep station in the region, spanning 368,385 acres. It was a hub for washing sheep wool on the long journey by camel train or cart to Wilcannia, prior to shipping. Today, the woolscour is a rare example of a complete set of wool washing equipment, and the only 19th century station-based scour in NSW to survive intact. Surviving the harsh outback, you can still see the original stone hut built in 1890, a stone homestead (1897), and an art deco-styled homestead (1935). There’s also a woolshed, shearers’ quarters, woolscour, blacksmith shop, stables, windmills and outstations. The  buildings provide a fascinating window into pastoral life and changing technology over almost 100 years.

  • Wells and Sturt’s tree walking track Retrace the footsteps of a famous explorer in the stunning and remote outback landscape of NSW’s far north-west. You'll rediscover history, see majestic red river gums and cross a dry lakebed, near Cameron Corner.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • Wedge-tailed eagle. Photo: Kelly Nowak

    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.

  • Emu, Paroo Darling National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    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.

  • Red kangaroo, Sturt National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    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.

  • A greater bilby marsupial amongst the red sandy ground of far western NSW. Photo credit: Brad Leue/AWC &copy: Brad Leue

    Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)

    The greater bilby was once widespread across arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. Today, this threatened native mammal is listed as extinct in the wild in NSW, but reintroduction efforts are seeing bilbies bounce back.

Plants

  • Sturt's desert pea. Photo: Jaime Plaza

    Sturt's desert pea (Swainsona formosa)

    One of Australia’s most famous desert wildflowers, Sturt’s desert pea is found across inland arid regions of Australia, including far west NSW. One of the most easily-recognised Australian native plants, Sturt’s desert pea thrives in red sandy soil, or loam, and has vibrant red leaf-shaped flowers with a black centre, known as a ‘boss’.

  • Saltbush. Photo: Jaime Plaza

    Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia)

    A hardy Australian native plant, the saltbush is a small spreading shrub that can withstand dry salty soils such as those found in the desert plains of western NSW. It is grey-white in colour and has small spear-shaped succulent leaves. It flowers from December to April.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)