Mungo National Park
Visit World Heritage Mungo National Park, home of the famous Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, and explore a place rich in Aboriginal history. Enjoy a walk or picnic, or camp near Lake Mungo.
Read more about Mungo National Park
Wander the sands of time in ancient Mungo National Park at the heart of NSW's Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. This extraordinary place is of great significance to the Ngyiampaa, Mutthi Mutthi and Southern Paakantyi people.
Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, found resting just meters apart, were buried more than 42,000 years ago on Lake Mungo’s shores. The planet’s oldest ritual burials, Mungo Lady was cremated, Mungo Man adorned with ochre. They represent the early emergence of human spiritual beliefs and provide a glimpse into the care provided to kin through Australia’s deep history. Along with 20,000-year-old fossil human footprints, they tell an incredible story of First Australians’ long history, and led to the establishment of Mungo National Park.
Take a guided tour to the incredible Walls of China, where erosion has sculpted sand and clay into fragile yet imposing formations; or explore on wheels with a cycling or drive tour through the stunning landscape.
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/mungo-national-park/local-alerts
Map
Map
Map legend
Contact
- in the Murray-Riverina region
Mungo National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. Fees are payable through self-registration envelopes outside Mungo Visitor Centre. Different fees apply for commercial tour operators and vehicles with 8 seats or more.
Buy annual pass -
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Buronga office
03 5021 8900
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. - 4 Melaleuca Street, Buronga NSW 2739
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Email: npws.lowerdarling@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Buronga office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Mungo National Park.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Many roads to Mungo National Park are unsealed and road conditions vary. Before you set out, check the latest road conditions with local councils:
From Broken Hill:
- Follow the signs to Menindee and then to Pooncarie
- Travel through Pooncarie and continue 20km south. There, you'll see Top Hut Road with a sign indicating Mungo National Park.
- Follow this road to its end and turn right at the T-junction
From Mildura:
- Cross the bridge to Buronga and follow the Silver City Highway towards Broken Hill
- As you leave Buronga you'll see Arumpo Road with a sign indicating Mungo National Park, follow this road to its end
From Balranald:
- Follow the signs to Ivanhoe (Ivanhoe Road) for 53km
- Turn left 3km after Box Creek Bridge (signposted) and follow this road until you reach the park
From Wentworth:
- Cross the bridge and turn left, following the signs to Pooncarie
- About 20km before Pooncarie you'll see Top Hut Road with a sign indicating Mungo National Park
- Follow this road to its end and turn right at the T-junction
Parking Show more
- Mungo Shearers' Quarters See on map
- Mungo Visitor Centre See on map
- Mungo Woolshed See on map
- Round Tank picnic area See on map
- Walls of China viewing platform See on map
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
Facilities
Amenities
Toilets Show more
- Belah campground
- Main campground
- Mungo lookout
- Mungo self-guided drive tour
- Mungo Shearers' Quarters
- Mungo Visitor Centre
- Walls of China viewing platform
Picnic tables Show more
- Belah campground
- Main campground
- Mungo lookout
- Mungo self-guided drive tour
- Mungo Shearers' Quarters
- Mungo Visitor Centre
- Rosewood picnic area
- Round Tank picnic area
- Vigars Well picnic area
- Walls of China viewing platform
Barbecue facilities
Drinking water
Showers
Electric power
Maps and downloads
Fees and passes
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. Fees are payable through self-registration envelopes outside Mungo Visitor Centre. Different fees apply for commercial tour operators and vehicles with 8 seats or more.
- All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)
- Multi Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko) $65 (1 year) / $115 (2 years)
- Country Parks Pass - For all parks in Country NSW (except Kosciuszko) $45 (1 year) / $75 (2 years)
- Single Country Park Pass - For entry to a single park in country NSW (except Kosciuszko). $22 (1 year) / $40 (2 years)
Annual passes and entry fees (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/passes-and-fees)
Prohibited
Fruit fly
Mungo lies in the fruit fly exclusion zone so you can only bring in food bought in Broken Hill, Menindee, Hillston, Griffith, Narrandera, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Mildura, Waikerie, Renmark or other places within those boundaries.
Drones
Flying drones in Mungo National Park is not permitted unless you've received written agreement from the Park Office before your visit. Please note that a consent to fly a drone in this park is only permitted in exceptional circumstances with endorsement from the traditional owners. Read more about the Drones in Parks policy and the process to apply for consent.
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
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Mungo Visitor Centre
4 Melaleuca Street, Buronga NSW 2739 - Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 03 5021 8900
Nearby towns
Pooncarie (95 km)
Mungo National Park, 88 km from Pooncarie, is part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area, where the remains of Mungo Woman and Mungo Man were discovered. Mungo's lunar landscape and Walls of China hills are among the most striking natural formations in NSW.
Mildura (116 km)
Mildura is set amid a diverse landscape on the Victorian side of the Murray River. The region is renowned for its long tradition of producing and serving fine food and wine at iconic restaurants, farmers markets, gourmet eateries and cellar doors.
Balranald (155 km)
Conveniently located on Sturt Highway as it crosses Murrumbidgee River between Sydney and Adelaide, Balranald is the perfect pit stop on a road trip through outback NSW. This small country town, with its rich pioneering past, is a gateway to Yanga National Park and the World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park.
Learn more
Mungo National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
World Heritage wonders
Mungo National Park is part of the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area. The region abounds in ancient cultural and archaeological treasures, the scale of which is almost impossible to grasp without a visit. Findings include human skeletal material, tools, middens and animal bones, along with relatively undisturbed landforms spanning several thousand years.
- 5-day Desert Sky outback tours to Mungo Immerse yourself in big blue skies and endless landscapes on a 5-day adventure with Desert Sky Tours. Leaving from Adelaide, enjoy camaraderie on the open road and explore fascinating outback sights by 4WD.
- Corner Country 4WD tours by Spirit Safaris Experience the beauty of remote outback landscapes on this sweeping 4WD tour by Spirit Safaris. You’ll explore national parks and other highlights of Corner Country and Channel Country.
- Guided 4WD outback adventures in Corner Country Explore the fascinating outback region known as Corner Country with the friendly guides of Outback Spirit on a 14-day 4WD adventure taking in scenic wonders from Adelaide to Alice Springs.
- Mungo day tours with Discover Mildura Join the knowledgeable guides of Discover Mildura to take a big leap back in time as you explore stunning landscapes in Mungo National Park. Learn about Aboriginal civilisation and hear fascinating stories of geology in World Heritage surrounds.
- Mungo Guided Tours day trip Enjoy an action-packed day out in World Heritage surrounds with the friendly guides of Mungo Guided Tours. Explore fascinating Outback history and discover the stunning and austere geology of Mungo National Park.
Outback animals
With its thriving kangaroo and emu populations, Mungo's the perfect place for an up-close glimpse of Australia's coat of arms. You're sure to be amazed by the sight and sound of pink cockatoos in their hundreds, or the vision of harmonious bird species taking turns drinking from ground tanks. There's a good chance you'll see a mallee ring-neck parrot - look for its striking green/gold colouring.
- 5-day Desert Sky outback tours to Mungo Immerse yourself in big blue skies and endless landscapes on a 5-day adventure with Desert Sky Tours. Leaving from Adelaide, enjoy camaraderie on the open road and explore fascinating outback sights by 4WD.
- Mungo lunette guided tour Take a guided tour of Mungo lunette (Walls of China) with an NPWS Aboriginal guide. It's one of the most spectacular outback landscapes in NSW and a must-do when visiting Mungo National Park.
- Rosewood picnic area Enjoy lunch and some birdwatching at this picnic spot. It’s well-positioned near walking tracks, and is a great place to contemplate Mungo’s scenery and Aboriginal history.
- Round Tank picnic area Round Tank picnic area offers a picnic spot on Mungo Self-guided Drive tour, with excellent birdwatching opportunities in outback NSW in Mungo National Park.
Incomparable history
Walk in the footsteps of the Ngyiampaa, Mutthi Mutthi and Southern Paakantyi Aboriginal people who have lived here for millennia. Come and share this ancient place and stand at the history-making sites where the world's oldest human cremation was unearthed and 20,000 year old human footprints and trackways have been found. Join an Aboriginal ranger on a Discovery Tour and learn about Mungo's exceptional heritage and continuing importance.
- 5-day Desert Sky outback tours to Mungo Immerse yourself in big blue skies and endless landscapes on a 5-day adventure with Desert Sky Tours. Leaving from Adelaide, enjoy camaraderie on the open road and explore fascinating outback sights by 4WD.
- Corner Country 4WD tours by Spirit Safaris Experience the beauty of remote outback landscapes on this sweeping 4WD tour by Spirit Safaris. You’ll explore national parks and other highlights of Corner Country and Channel Country.
- Guided 4WD outback adventures in Corner Country Explore the fascinating outback region known as Corner Country with the friendly guides of Outback Spirit on a 14-day 4WD adventure taking in scenic wonders from Adelaide to Alice Springs.
- Lake Mungo and Culpra Milli immersion Students make meaningful connections with remote Aboriginal Australia in this Stage 5 Red Earth Aboriginal Studies excursion. They travel to Mungo National Park for a 6 or 7-day immersion experience.
- Mungo day tours with Discover Mildura Join the knowledgeable guides of Discover Mildura to take a big leap back in time as you explore stunning landscapes in Mungo National Park. Learn about Aboriginal civilisation and hear fascinating stories of geology in World Heritage surrounds.
A landscape like no other
Gaze in awe at scenery moulded by the elements and discover how climatic changes since the last ice age have shaped the land's geography. The park's lunette is perhaps its most astonishing feature. Comprising four layers of sand and silt deposited over tens of thousands of years, this majestic sight almost defies description. Walk the ancient dry lakebed of Lake Mungo and photograph the spectacular etched dunes of the Walls of China. At night, sit back and be amazed at star-filled skies unlike anything you've seen before.
- 5-day Desert Sky outback tours to Mungo Immerse yourself in big blue skies and endless landscapes on a 5-day adventure with Desert Sky Tours. Leaving from Adelaide, enjoy camaraderie on the open road and explore fascinating outback sights by 4WD.
- Corner Country 4WD tours by Spirit Safaris Experience the beauty of remote outback landscapes on this sweeping 4WD tour by Spirit Safaris. You’ll explore national parks and other highlights of Corner Country and Channel Country.
- Lake Mungo and Culpra Milli immersion Students make meaningful connections with remote Aboriginal Australia in this Stage 5 Red Earth Aboriginal Studies excursion. They travel to Mungo National Park for a 6 or 7-day immersion experience.
- Mungo day tours with Discover Mildura Join the knowledgeable guides of Discover Mildura to take a big leap back in time as you explore stunning landscapes in Mungo National Park. Learn about Aboriginal civilisation and hear fascinating stories of geology in World Heritage surrounds.
- Mungo Guided Tours day trip Enjoy an action-packed day out in World Heritage surrounds with the friendly guides of Mungo Guided Tours. Explore fascinating Outback history and discover the stunning and austere geology of Mungo National Park.
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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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)
School excursions (3)
- Lake Mungo and Culpra Milli immersion , Stage 5 (Years 9-10), Aboriginal Studies
- Mungo lunette guided walk, Stage 3 (Years 5-6), History
- Mungo lunette guided walk, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), History
What we're doing
Mungo National Park 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. Here is just some of the work we’re doing to conserve these values:
Managing weeds, pest animals and other threats
Pests and weeds have a significant impact to ecosystems within Mungo National Park. Reduction of threats, such as foxes abatement, as well as ongoing risk assessments for new and emerging weeds, is an important part of the work NPWS does to protect the biodiversity values of this park.
Historic heritage in our parks and reserves
Raising public awareness of Mungo National Park’s rich historic heritage is a key priority. NPWS supports the planning and delivery of Aboriginal cultural heritage programs, along with the dynamic visitor education projects and interpretive and educational events that are ongoing in this park.
Developing visitor facilities and experiences
The countless assets of Mungo National Park are to be experienced and enjoyed, as well as protected. NPWS is committed to delivering a range of public activities within Mungo to ensure its rich cultural heritage is maximised, understood, celebrated and shared. Events planning and implementation is ongoing in this park.
Conserving Aboriginal culture
NPWS works closely with the Willandra Lakes First People’s Consultative Group on the management of Mungo National Park. Ngyiampaa, Mutthi Mutthi and Paakantyi / Barkindji Aboriginal people have lived on these lands for millennia. This ancient connection to Country is marked by the world’s oldest ritual burial sites and 20,000-year-old human footprints. The culturally significant Walls of China (Mungo lunette) are protected with visits by guided tours only.
Managing fire
NSW is one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world as a result of our climate, weather systems, vegetation and the rugged terrain. NPWS is committed to maintaining natural and cultural heritage values and minimising the likelihood and impact of bushfires via a strategic program of fire research, fire planning, hazard reduction, highly trained rapid response firefighting crews and community alerts.
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Contact
- in the Murray-Riverina region
Mungo National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. Fees are payable through self-registration envelopes outside Mungo Visitor Centre. Different fees apply for commercial tour operators and vehicles with 8 seats or more.
Buy annual pass -
-
Buronga office
03 5021 8900
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. - 4 Melaleuca Street, Buronga NSW 2739
-
Email: npws.lowerdarling@environment.nsw.gov.au
-
Buronga office
In this park:
Things to do (22)
- 4WD touring (2)
- Aboriginal culture (14)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (7)
- Cultural heritage (2)
- Cycling (3)
- Geotourism (3)
- Historic heritage (8)
- Other experiences (1)
- Photography (1)
- Picnics and barbecues (5)
- Road trips and car/bus tours (3)
- Sailing, boating and cruises (1)
- Sightseeing (11)
- Visitor centres (1)
- Walking (5)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (1)