Wiliyan-ngurru National Park Outback Queensland

Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Things to do

    A dirt walking track leading through grassy terrain with scattered trees under a clear blue sky. A green wooden sign labelled 'Little Nowranie Cave

    Enjoy the short walk to the caves.

    Photo credit: Gary Featonby © Queensland Government.

    A water monitor lizard resting on rock near Nowranie Waterhole. The lizard's textured skin and sharp eye are clearly visible.

    Look for water monitors around Nowranie Waterhole.

    Photo credit: Tamara Vallance © Queensland Government

    A wooden picnic table with two wooden benches situated on sandy ground near Nowranie Waterhole, surrounded by trees.

    Relax beside Nowranie Waterhole.

    Photo credit: Jason Vaughan © Queensland Government.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    Camping is not permitted at Wiliyan-ngurru National Park.

    Other accommodation

    The township of Camooweal has a caravan park and a hotel. Holiday accommodation in Mount Isa includes a selection of tourist parks, hotels, and motels. For more information see the tourism information links.

    Walking

    Enjoy two short walks in Wiliyan-ngurru National Park to view and learn about the sinkholes of the caves. Remember to watch your step around the sinkhole entrances and follow the Parks and forests walk with care guidelines.

    Little Nowranie Cave

    Grade 2
    Distance: 70m return
    Time: allow about 10min walking time
    Details: Beginning at the southern end of the Nowranie Caves car park, take a short stroll to the entrance of Little Nowranie Cave. Access inside the cave is not allowed. Take care on the loose rocks around the edges of the sinkhole.

    Great Nowranie Cave

    Grade 2
    Distance: 220m return
    Time: allow about 30min walking time
    Details: Beginning at the eastern end of the Nowranie Caves car park, follow the walking track through a landscape of open eucalypt woodland and spinifex to Great Nowranie Cave. Learn about this fascinating landscape along the way. Access inside the cave is not allowed. Stay behind the safety rails of the viewing area, the entrance to the sinkhole is unstable and has steep cliff edges.

    Picnic and day use areas

    An outdoor information display shelter with a metal roof at Nowranie day-use are. Information shelter is situated in a open grassy area with a tree-lined creek in the background.

    Learn about the landscape.

    Photo credit: Grant Ison © Queensland Government

    Enjoy a picnic next to a permanent waterhole of Nowranie Creek at Nowranie Waterhole day-use area, picnic tables are provided.

    Learn about the importance of the waterhole and surrounding landscape to the Indjalandji-Dhidhanu people.

    Viewing wildlife

    Most animals in the national park rest during the day to avoid the heat, making dawn and dusk the best times to look for wildlife. Ridge-tailed monitors can be seen amongst the rocky outcrops where they feed on insects and small lizards.

    The seasonal waterhole attracts waterbirds including spoonbills, cormorants, herons and ducks. Look for water monitors basking on logs beside the water. A variety of woodland bird species can also be spotted.

    Other animals are nocturnal. Within the protection of the caves, ghost bats and other insect-eating bats roost, emerging after dark. Owls also roost in these caves, feeding on small nocturnal mammals like long-haired rats.

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