Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area is in far west NSW, 40mins from Broken Hill and 1hr 30mins from Wilcannia. With vast open plains and great birdwatching, it's an ideal place to take a day trip or camp under the stars.

Read more about Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area

Located about 65km from Broken Hill, Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area offers scenic views, birdwatching and a unique opportunity to experience the exquisite beauty of Outback NSW.

Look out between the Barrier and Scopes Ranges and you'll find seemingly endless views, characteristic of Outback NSW. With its rolling hills, vast plains and wide-open sky, you'll have the opportunity to capture some stunning photographs.

Panoramic views aren't the park's only special feature though, it's also rich in native wildlife. When filled with water the ephemeral Eckerboon Lake is home to large numbers of threatened and endangered birds, including iconic species such as black swans and pelicans. As you make your way through the park, you're likely to see flocks of emus, and keep your eyes peeled at dawn and dusk for flights of pink cockatoos and parrot species nesting in shrublands. There are also vast areas of nelia shrublands, a unique and threatened ecosystem found nowhere else in such abundance within an NPWS reserve.

To complete your Outback NSW experience, history buffs can visit the remains of old houses, woolsheds and stockyards, and camping enthusiasts can enjoy an overnight stay at Eckerboon Lake campground and picnic area.

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/visit-a-park/parks/langidoon-metford-state-conservation-area/local-alerts

Contact

  • in the Outback NSW region

  • Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

  • More
See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area.

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Getting there and parking

From Wilcannia

  • Travel west along the Barrier Highway for 130km.
  • The entrance to the reserve is on your right, approximately 12.5km past Little Topar rest area and service station.

From Broken Hill:

  • Travel east along the Barrier Highway for 65km
  • The entrance to the reserve is on your left, approximately 12.5km before the Little Topar rest area and service station.

Parking

  • Eckerboon Lake campground and picnic area See on map

Road quality

Road access within Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Areas is entirely via unsealed roads. Please check the weather forecast and local alerts for road, campground and reserve closures when planning your visit.

Parking

Parking is available at Eckerboon Lake campground and picnic area. To get there:

  • Travel 17km up the Tourist Drive
  • Turn right at the Eckerboon Lake campground and picnic area turnoff.

By public transport

This park is not accessible by public transport.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Langidoon-Metford. Here are some of the highlights:

Autumn

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

Spring

Wildflowers in full display decorate the surrounding bushland. Temperatures are warmer throughout the day, but nights are cooler.

Summer

Days are hot with the heat of the sun splashed across the outback landscape. Nights are typically cooler.

Winter

Days are cool and the nights are cold, with plants and wildflowers preparing to bloom in early spring.

Facilities

Toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

However you discover NSW national parks and reserves, we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Our park and reserve systems contrast greatly so you need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

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.

Camping safety

Whether you're pitching your tent on the coast or up on the mountains, there are many things to consider when camping in NSW national parks. Find out how to stay safe when camping.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

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.

Permitted

Camping


Prohibited

Drones

Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.

This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.

Commercial filming and photography

Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.

Gathering firewood

Horses

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.

Nearby towns

Broken Hill (65 km)

About 10 km from Broken Hill, in the middle of the Living Desert Reserve, is Sundown Hill, the site of the Living Desert Sculptures. Follow the easy walking trail that takes you past these beautiful sandstone sculptures, even more striking in this desert setting.

www.visitnsw.com

Wilcannia (130 km)

The small historic town of Wilcannia is located on the famous Darling River in the NSW outback. The nearby remote Mutawintji National Park offers a uniquely Australian experience, with its historic Aboriginal sites and captivating rugged desert terrain.

www.visitnsw.com

Learn more

Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

    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.

    • Echidna. Photo: Ken Stepnell

      Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

      One of only 2 egg-laying mammals in the world, the short-beaked echidna is one of the most widespread of Australian native animals. Covered in spines, or quills, they’re equipped with a keen sense of smell and a tube-like snout which they use to break apart termite mounds in search of ants.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    Plants

    • Mulga. Photo: Jaime Plaza

      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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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’.

    Environments in this park

    What we're doing

    Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. Visit the OEH website for detailed park and fire management documents.