Going Loopy

Gorge Loop Road In Sturt National Park Is An Essential 4x4 Destination.

- Kev Smith

THERE AREN’T too many nationals parks where you can spend days exploring, camping and understanding the hardships our early explorers endured. Tucked right up in the north-west of New South Wales is Sturt National Park. Within its 350,000 hectares lies floodplains, desert, jump-up country, gorges, an abundance of history and much more for those willing to explore. The park has significant Aboriginal sites that date back 20,000 years, as well as pastoralism for well over 100 years.

Tibooburra, 340km north of Broken Hill, is a great place to prepare for the trip. In town you can get basic supplies including fuel, groceries and advice for exploring the Sturt. In fact, many people only call in at Tibooburra for an overnight stay when heading farther west.

One of our favourite drives starts 24km east of Tibooburra, where you can explore shearing sheds with quarters, a fascinating pastoral museum, and then drive the Gorge Loop Road. Signposted as Mount Wood Station, this is a step back in time; there are boilers, wool scourers, a water-drawing whim, engines, steam gear and heaps more. Locals and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has done a great job of preserving the history and equipment. Just across the creek via a suspension bridge is Mount Wood Station, which is open to the public and still holds the smells and sights of days gone by.