Lake Pinaroo - NSW

When full, the lake is attractive to visitors as it provides a contrast to the arid landscapes in the rest of the national park. It also provides opportunities to see many species of waterbirds and large flocks of unique desert birds such as budgerigars. It has been listed as a Ramsar site since 1996.

If it's dry when you visit however, you will be lucky to see some very special historical relics as this area was visited by explorer Charles Sturt who set up a base camp and a stockade beside the lake in 1844 for his exploration of the Simpson desert looking for an inland sea. During his time here the lake was dry and on his journey he carved several letters, his name and the date of 1845 into a Coolabah tree. The letters S and an arrow were an indication of Sturt's travel. It’s only when the lake is in drought that this tree can be accessed by a 3km walk across the lake bed. The tree died finally died in the 1956 flood and in 1990 NPWS have put up steel posts supporting several tree limbs to stop them from falling and potentially losing this significant part of Australia's history. It’s only when you stand under this tree and see the watermark way above your head that you realise just how much water this lake can hold.

Lake Pinaroo walking trail includes signposted areas highlighting Aboriginal Cooking Heaths and at the centre of the lake, there are remains of The Well. This bore was sunk for the Fort Grey homestead when the area was in severe drought. All that remains now are rusty shells of boilers, tanks and plates. It was once a wood-fired boiler that was able to pump water to the surface for the inhabitants and their stock in the area using a walking beam for the lift of the water.

Flood waters from 1974 ruined the Fort Grey homestead. Visitors can explore the ruin site, which is located to the west of the Fort Grey campground.