Woomargama National Park, NSW: Location, walks & camping

The heavily-forested Woomargama National Park, near Albury in New South Wales, is best used for nature on Danny’s Loop walk and remote camping at the Samual Bollard campground.

Australia has hundreds of national parks. They’re not all as attraction-packed as the big-hitters such as rock art hotspot Kakadu and the kangaroo-heavy Grampians, either.

In fact, most Australians haven’t even heard of the majority of their national parks. Many fail to cross the radar – they’re simply too obscure and undervisited.

The Woomargama National Park is a classic example. Its selling point is that it’s largest protected area of forest west of the Great Dividing Range. That’s all very noble, but in practice it means Woomargama is lacking in the sort of tentpeg attractions that will pull visitors in.

Where is Woomargama National Park?

Woomargama National Park is in New South Wales, close to the Murray River. By road, it’s about 60km north-east of Albury, the biggest of New South Wales’ Murray River towns.

Albury is home to the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and Murray River kayaking tours.

Realistically, overseas tourists are only likely to pass by there if driving the scenic route from Sydney or Canberra to Melbourne across the Australian Alps. But if you are heading in that direction, then you’re probably going to need to stretch the legs at some point, and Woomargama National Park is a decent bet for an hour or so’s nature-loving stroll. It’s a good bet if driving from Sydney to Albury or Albury to Canberra too.

Danny’s Loop Walk in Woomargama National Park

The Tunnel Road picnic area is the best place to park up. Of the walking trails here, the medium grade Danny’s Loop Walk fits the bill for a short stop. The 3.1km loop passes through broad-leaved peppermint, brittlegum, grass and herb forest. On the way, you’ll be able to see wattles, daphne heath, guinea flowers, fringe myrtle, Dusty Miller and native indigo.

Danny's Loop Walk in the Woomargama National Park — Danny’s Loop Walk in the Woomargama National Park near Albury offers basic signposting about what you might see on the way.

The native bushland is a haven for threatened animals, including regent honeyeaters, swift parrots, powerful owls, brown toadlets and eastern pygmy possums. Expect to hear the odd kookaburra laughing and crimson rosella flitting past.

The best lookout in Woomargama National Park

The best lookout within Woomargama National Park is Norths Lookout, but you’ll need a four wheel drive vehicle to get there.

1,000 metres above sea level, the view takes in the Snowy Mountains and Murray Valley.

Samual Bollard campground – Woomargama camping

Camping in national parks is a big thing in Oz – especially camping in Western Australia. But there are also two campgrounds within the Woomargama National Park. The Samual Bollard campground and Tin Mines campground are both pretty basic, designed for unpowered remote camping. Pitching a tent is free, but subject to a $6 booking fee.