Sturt National Park

Explore the walks at Fort Grey, Olive Downs, Dead Horse Gully and to the Mt Wood summit — most are easy to moderate and allow for a short loop walk of 1 to 3 hours. The four 2WD-accessible campsites are equipped with free gas barbecues and toilets. But bring your own drinking water and please respect the 'no wood-fire' policy.

The best time to visit is between April and October. The temperature sizzles to well above 40° C in summer, but winter nights can drop to below zero!

Access: 335 km north of Broken Hill along the partly paved Silver City highway and 400 km west of Bourke (unpaved). Check the conditions after rain as roads may be closed.

source of information: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks

Link to Arid Zone Birding

http://www.suite101.com/content/arid-zone-bird-watching-in-australia-a333195

Tibooburra Area Discovery Program for EASTER 2011

·    Olive Downs sticky-beak tour

Meet Discovery Rangers at historic Olive Downs Homestead complex. Hear stories of the social days of this former sheep station. Wander around the old buildings and sheds and imagine what it would have been like to live here before there were cars. Join Discovery Rangers in a delightful Devonshire tea in keeping with Olive Downs connection to the Country Women’s Association.

Bring: A hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes and a vehicle.     

Time: 10:00 am to 12 noon (EST). Morning tea served at 11am

Dates: Monday 11 April, 2011 & Monday 18 April 2011

Meeting Place: Olive Downs Homestead

Grade: Easy

Cost: Adults $ 8.00              Children (5-16 yrs) $ 4.00                Families (of 4) $ 20.00

·    Mount Wood back road tag-along tour*

Join Discovery Rangers in a vehicle tag-along tour and travel from Tibooburra to historic Mount Wood Station on an old road, not usually open to the public. View the expanses of this vast landscape and watch it change as we cross creeks and approach the Mount Wood Hills. If Mount Wood Homestead is not booked, we will call in for a look-see. Travel on to the Mount Wood Shearer’s Quarters for a cuppa and bickies. Participants are welcome to continue on their own to the Outdoor Pastoral Museum and back to Tibooburra via the main road.

Bring: A hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes and a sense of adventure. Participating vehicles need to be high clearance and preferably 4WD.     

Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 noon (EST)

Dates: Wednesday 13 April 2011 & Tuesday 19 April 2011

Meeting Place: NPWS Tibooburra Office, Briscoe Street

Grade: Medium

Cost: Adults $ 8.00              Children (5-16 yrs) $ 4.00                Families (of 4) $ 20.00

*Note: This tour is subject to suitable road conditions. If roads to these places are closed an alternate activity in Tibooburra will be offered.

·    Depot Glen & Mount Poole tag-along tour*

Join Discovery Rangers in a vehicle tag-along tour from Tibooburra to Depot Glen and Mount Poole. Learn about Explorer Captain Charles Sturt and the trials of their party in their search for an inland sea. Visit the site of one of their camps – The Depot – which was the final resting place for second in command, James Poole. Travel on to Mount Poole – by car then a short but steep walk – to see the stone cairn built by the party to “give the men occupation” whilst they were stranded at Preservation Creek. Discovery Rangers will leave you to explore further in your own time.

Bring: A hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, water/drinks, trail snacks, a packed lunch an interest in history and a sense of adventure. Participating vehicles need to be high clearance. 

Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (EST)

Dates: Friday 15 April 2011 & Wednesday 20 April 2011

Meeting Place: NPWS Tibooburra Office, Briscoe Street

Grade: Medium. Walk to Mount Poole has steep sections

Cost: Adults $ 8.00              Children (5-16 yrs) $ 4.00                Families (of 4) $ 20.00

*Note: This tour is subject to suitable road conditions. If roads to these places are closed an alternate activity in Tibooburra will be offered.

·    Waterbug survey at South Myers tank

Meet Discovery Rangers at South Myers tank on the Jump Up Loop Road. Using long handled nets, help to scoop up bugs and insects hiding in the water. With the help of an Ecologist, identify your finds. Marvel at the vast and usually dry landscape around you and wonder how these bugs got here.

Bring: A hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes (that may get wet), water, snacks and curiosity. As the activity is at water, kids need to bring their parents or guardian along to keep an eye on them and have fun participating too.

Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am (EST)

Dates: Saturday 16 April 2011 & Friday 22 April 2011 

Meeting Place: NPWS Tibooburra Office, Briscoe Street

Grade: Easy

Cost: Adults $ 4.00              Children (5-16 yrs) $ 2.00                Families (of 4) $ 10.00