explore.

YOU MIGHT BE ATTRACTED TO WILCANNIA for its remote location.  Or because it's surrounded by millions and millions of years of accessible natural history. 

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Or tens of thousands of years of human occupation by ancestors of the BARKINDJI people along the ancient Darling-Baaka River. 

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You may know of Wilcannia's vivid history from 1867 and through the twentieth century.

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And you may want to get off the beaten track.

 

Whether its ecology, art, landscape, outback adventure, aboriginal culture and advocacy, or just looking for a plain dinkum outback town, there's plenty to discover so come hang out a while.

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Here are some starters:

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RIVER WALK  A number of access points give great views of the river, its ecology and the life it supports.  Walking trails start straight outside the Queens Head, or with a short drive.

Easy to moderate difficulty. Allow 1-4 hours.

 

 

BIG SUNSET  Drive about 15 minutes past Lake Woytchugga (pron. "wa choo ca") towards Broken Hill to Netallie Hill, the closest and highest viewpoint near Wilcannia.  Enjoy an elevated look at big sky, big horizon, and big big sunset.

Easy. Allow 1-2 hours.

 

 

HERITAGE WALK  The Queens Head (1877) forms part of Wilcannia's main heritage precinct, amongst the late 1800s sandstone Courthouse and Police buildings, (former) Courthouse Hotel and Rich & Co. bond store.  Explore the remaining township history on an easy walk through the quiet township streets.

Easy. Allow 1-2 hours.

 

 

FLORA EXPLORER  Favourite flora sites depend on the season, but a trusty all-season favourite is the leopard wood forest on Wanaaring Road past the airport.  These citrus family trees, endemic to the region and not overly common, have a distinctive trunk, habit, community behaviour, and provide a sweet sap sought after by the local mob.

Easy drive and walk.  Allow 90 minutes.

 

 

BARKINDJI NOW  The pride and resilience of the local indigenous people, the Barkindji (from Baaka - the river) is explained on about 15 large colourful signs by the river. Take in the stories as you wander among the signs, and think of the old people that lived for many thousands of years right where you stand.

Easy. Allow 1 hour.

 

 

MUTAWINTJI N.P.  Far and away the most significant, accessible and sacred cultural experience is a visit to Mutawintji ("moort wintgee"). Numerous Wilcannia Barkindji families are counted among traditional owners of this special place, which can be relied upon to hold the only permanent water for hundreds of kilometres around.  A visit to the Park and an organised tour of the restricted Heritage Area will leave a deep and lasting impression of local mob's long connection to country. You will see amazing things. Like 8,000 year-old rock carvings, the signing of country by many children's hands, and a 250 million year-old Trilobite fossil.  The Park is about 160km from Wilcannia via Waterbag Road. It's a very big day out, and extremely worth it.

Talk to us about making this happen for your stay.

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We are developing a knowledge base on this website to help you delve DEEPER into the region.