Cuttaburra National Park is NSW’s newest national park, set to open its gates to visitors in 2025.
Next year, there will be a new national park that adventure lovers can visit. This September, 37,422 hectares of land in outback NSW was designated an official national park. The new park, Cuttaburra National Park, earned the title thanks to its unique ecology and cultural significance.
Cuttaburra is teeming with flora and fauna, containing some of Australia’s most important wetlands home to thousands of species of waterbirds. The park is also a haven for threatened species such as the brolga, eastern fat-tailed gecko, black-breasted buzzard and little eagle.
Cuttaburra National Park is full of fauna, like this shingleback lizard. (Image: Kirsten Skinner)
In addition, the park has many Aboriginal cultural sites, including stone arrangements, scar trees and wells. Cuttaburra will be managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in collaboration with Aboriginal and local people to protect these important places.
The landscape encompassed by the park is rich and diverse, characterised by red earth cut through with tree-lined river floodplains, swamps and waterholes. Cuttaburra National Park doesn’t officially open its gates until next year, but here’s what we know about it so far.
Cuttaburra National Park is abundant with flora, including endangered trees. (Image: Joshua J Smith Photography)
Where is Cuttaburra National Park?
Cuttaburra National Park lies on Paroo and Warrego River Country in the far north of NSW. The park is remote, located deep inland in NSW’s outback, about 150 kilometres north-west of Bourke and accessed along the iconic 4WD Dowling Track.
The new National Park is full of waterways and wetlands. (Image: Joshua J Smith Photography)
What can you do in Cuttaburra National Park?
Right now, the park is geared towards plant, wildlife and cultural conservation. It remains to be seen what infrastructure will exist for tourists when Cuttaburra National Park officially opens in 2025, so stay tuned to find out.
Right now, you can pass through Cuttaburra National Park on the Dowling Track, a historic outback 4WD trail that connects Bourke to Quilpie in Queensland. The neighbouring Brindingabba National Park just 25 kilometres away contains a campground and a 4WD touring route for nature lovers keen to experience the landscape.
Cuttaburra National Park will open its gates to visitors in 2025. (Image: Joshua J Smith Photography)
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.
When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.
Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.
From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.
The Tweed
In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.
Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .
Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)
The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.
Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.
End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.
Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.
Blue Mountains
The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.
For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.
Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.
Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)
Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.
Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.
Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.
End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)
Southern Highlands
Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.
Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.
When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.
Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)
Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.
Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.
Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.
Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.
Penrith
Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.
For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.
Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)
Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.
