Whittabrinnah heritage walk

Where

Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park in Outback NSW

Accessibility

Hard

Distance

0.5km loop

Time suggested

30min

Grade

Grade 3

Entry fees

Park entry fees apply

What to
bring

Drinking water, sturdy shoes, suitable clothing, hat, sunscreen

Please note

• The roads from Tibooburra or Bourke and the roads within this park are unsealed gravel roads that may be closed in poor weather. Check the weather before you set out.
• Please be mindful of wildlife. Stick to tracks to avoid trampling vegetation and look out for reptiles sunbathing in the middle of the road.
• The best times to visit are autumn for the cooler weather or springtime after rain, when the park comes alive with wildflowers like spotted fuchsia bush, Sturts pigface and variable daisy. Note that if you visit within 1 to 3 months after good rainfall, roads may only be open to 4WD vehicles, and some roads in the northern part of the park may not be open at all.

The Whittabrinnah Hotel precinct is the first area you’ll reach after entering the park. Pull off Caryapundy lookout loop drive into the hotel precinct carpark and set off on this 500m easy walk.

As you weave your way around the old Whittabrinnah Hotel ruins, you’ll step back into another time. Imagine ordering a cool drink at the pub counter during its mid 19th-century hey day. All that remains now are the cast iron building structures, old glass bottles and porcelain container shards, which bring the past clearly back into the present. Along the walk you’ll pass by an old burial plot, a good place to pause and take it all in.

You’ll also cross an ephemeral creek on this short walk. Enjoy the satisfying feel of the clay soil cracking beneath your feet and breathe in the scent of eucalyptus. Can you spot budgies and cockatiels flitting through the coolabahs or at rest in the waterbush shrubs?

This is a ideal walk for all ages, including people with a lower level of fitness. It’s great for history buffs. Try to time your visit for the spring or autumn months when the weather is cooler.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info