Welford National Park - QLD

Welford is a land of contrasts—wide coolibah-lined waters and grey alluvial channels of the Barcoo River slice a brown and green swathe through Mitchell grass plains and arid mulga woodlands. Golden-green spinifex and white-barked ghost gums grow atop a vivid backdrop of red sand dunes. Majestic river red gums line the Barcoo River, the southern boundary of the 124,000ha park. Varied habitats create vital refuges for wildlife, including mulga parrots and the vulnerable yellow-footed rock-wallaby.First Nations people of the area have a long and ongoing connection to the land and waterways of the Barcoo River—the park contains places of significant cultural heritage. A former grazing property, the unique pisé (rammed earth) homestead built in 1882, is a feature in the park. The homestead is not open to the public.Welford National Park offers three self-guided 4WD scenic drives, on which you can explore dunes, rocky outcrops, scrub, plains, channels and billabongs. For your best chance to see Welford’s wildlife, drive slowly and go in either the early morning or late afternoon. For details of the drive options see website link provided. Desert Drive, River Drive, Mulga Drive.A short 1.2km hike (Grade 3) to starts at Sawyers Creek Viewpoint.Camping within the park is only available at Little Boomerang Waterhole Campground. Booking and fees apply.Like any place in the Outback, the best time to visit Welford is during winter (May - August). In summer the park is usually closed to the wet season flooding the area and temperatures being in the mid to high 40 degree C.