About Wiliyan-ngurru

Park features

Set within the semi‑arid Barkly Tableland sub‑bioregion, Wiliyan‑ngurru National Park showcases a diverse outback landscape of open eucalypt woodlands, spinifex and turpentine wattle shrublands, and sweeping Mitchell grass plains. The seasonally flowing Nowranie Creek weaves through the heart of the national park, attracting a variety of birdlife throughout the year—from waterbirds to woodland species.

Across the national park, unusual dolomite formations create a dramatic and distinctive landscape. Over millions of years, water has seeped through 500‑million‑year‑old layers of soluble dolomite, carving out extensive cave systems linked by vertical shafts reaching depths of up to 75 metres.

Visitors are reminded to take extreme care near the edges of sinkholes. For your safety, public entry into the caves is not permitted. A designated viewing area at Great Nowranie Cave provides a safe vantage point to appreciate these remarkable geological features.

Wiliyan‑ngurru National Park holds great cultural importance for the Indjalandji‑Dhidhanu people. The waterholes, sinkholes and caves are central to their Dreamtime stories and ongoing connection to Country.

• Read more about the nature, culture and history of Wiliyan-ngurru National Park.

Looking after the park

Parks and forests protect Queensland's wonderful natural diversity and scenery. Everything in the national park is protected including plants, animals, geological features and cultural sites. Please appreciate, respect and help care for Wiliyan-ngurru’s outstanding natural and cultural values by leaving things as you find them, and encouraging others to do the same by following these guidelines.

• Leave everything as you find it. Avoid disturbing animals, plants, geological features and cultural artefacts.
• Keep food away from wildlife. Accidental or intentional feeding upsets the balance of nature and can make animals sick and/or aggressive. Never leave food or food scraps around Nowranie Waterhole day-use area.
• Manage your waste. Take your rubbish with you when you leave—bins are not provided. Never bury rubbish as animals will dig it up.
• Toilets are not provided. Bury toilet waste (and paper) at least 15cm deep and 100m away from roads, walking tracks and watercourses.
• Stop the spread of weeds, insect pests and pathogens. New introductions can spread and displace resident species and alter the local ecology. Soil from your vehicle and boots can contain weed seeds, ants (and their eggs) and foreign plant pathogens. Before you arrive clean all vehicles (especially the tyres and undercarriage), equipment and walking gear. If available, use a washdown facility provided in a local town. Follow the come clean, go clean guidelines. Learn more about pest plants and animals and pathogens.
• Domestic animals are not permitted in the national park. Please observe the before you visit guidelines for dogs and pets.
• Use a fuel stove to boil your billy—camp fires are not allowed in the national park.
• Never drive on rain-affected roads, you may become bogged. Even if you make it through, your vehicle will damage the road surface and make it dangerous for other road users.

See caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Wiliyan-ngurru National Park (formerly Camooweal Caves National Park, gazetted in January 1988 under the National Park and Wildlife Act 1975) was gazetted as a national park in 2021 under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. The 13,800 hectares national park is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) to conserve the cultural and natural values, and geological features of the area.

Tourism information links

‘Outback at Isa’ Visitor Information Centre
www.outbackatisa.com.au
19 Marian Street, Mount Isa QLD 4825
Ph: 07 4749 1555
Email: info@outbackisa.com.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.