Kinchega National Park

Kinchega National Park is a nature reserve in Far West New South Wales spanning over 40,000 hectares of land dominated by red gum forest. The Darling River and Menindee lake system run through the park, offering open water, shallow shores, and varied habitats for visitors to explore.

The park was established in 1967 and contains historic pastoral structures including the Kinchega Woolshed and Old Homestead buildings. These structures mark the region's past use for sheep and cattle farming before it became a protected reserve.

The Paarkantji people, original inhabitants of this region, left behind tools and artifacts along the Darling River that visitors can learn about today. These discoveries tell stories of long human connection to this landscape.

The park is open year-round but can be extremely hot and dry during summer, so visitors should bring plenty of water and sun protection. Spring and autumn are more comfortable seasons for exploring, when water levels tend to be higher and temperatures more moderate.

The Menindee lake system shifts in appearance based on water levels, with exposed lake beds showing different colors across seasons. Visitors may witness the lakes transform from full water bodies to shallow colored pools and eventually dry flats.

Location: Unincorporated Area

Operator: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

GPS coordinates: -32.49905,142.33103

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:23