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Ancient wonders and moon-like lands: discover Mungo National Park at sunset

Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
Mungo National Park is at its most magical at sunset, and this tour will help you make the most of it.

Down in the south-west (ish) corner of New South Wales, Mungo National Park is one of the oldest places in the world – outside of Africa – to have been occupied by modern humans since ancient times. That alone is enough reason to go. But when the sun starts to dip, the landscape changes from striking to positively otherworldly. It’s something that Outback Geo Adventures is trying to help more people discover on its Mungo National Park sunset tours.

What is a Mungo sunset like?

Man watching the sunset at the Walls of China in Mungo National Park, Mungo
No other landscape on Earth is more like the moon than Mungo National Park. (Image: DNSW)

If you’ve ever wanted to travel to Luke Skywalker’s home planet in Star Wars, this is the place for you. If that thought has never crossed your mind, this is still the place for you.

Although Mungo remains surprisingly under the radar, this is where the archaeological discoveries of Mungo Lady in 1968 and Mungo Man in 1974 changed history books. These remains were from the oldest known examples of ritual burials in the world, dating back over 40,000 years.

Today, parts of the national park remain of the highest significance to the local Traditional Custodians, with the burial site remaining closed to the public – although a viewing platform allows dramatic, moon-like views over the area. The Paakantji (also known as Barkandji), Mutthi Mutthi and Ngyiampaa People share their knowledge through initiatives like the Mungo Stories mobile app . 

Moon rising over the Walls of China in World Heritage Mungo National Park
The Walls of China become more striking as the sun sets. (Image: DNSW)

Mungo lays claim to its own Walls of China: an impressive sand dune formation, or lunette, with unique ridges creating eye-catching patterns. Due to their own significance, only guided tours can walk around them.

The history of Mungo National Park reaches back even further. Here, fossilised human footprints dating back to the Ice Age were the oldest collection ever found.

About Mungo National Park sunset tours

Outback Geo Adventures mungo sunset tours van driving on the road
Tour at sunset with Outback Geo Adventures. (Image: DNSW)

The tour company has been operating in Mungo National Park and the World Heritage-listed Willandra Lakes for years, utilising its experience to craft all-inclusive tours. It’s especially handy if camping isn’t for you – unless you plan to camp in Mungo, or nab one of the very few basic cabins – the closest accommodation is about two hours away in Balranald. Outback Geo Adventures will pick you up from there for an eight-hour sunset tour , keeping guests fed and hydrated.

Stop on the way at the historical Homebush Pub , built 134 years ago and remains a mainstay of the local community. When the tour reaches Mungo’s Visitor Centre, there’ll be an afternoon cuppa before the main event: a guided walk to the Walls of China, culminating in a picnic at the top, watching as the sunset plays with the colours of the landscape.

The Mungo National Park sunset tour costs $190 per person (two people minimum), $490 for a family of two adults and two children, or $95 per child.

Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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Your first look at Australia’s brand-new luxury camp

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
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    The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

    Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

    Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

    Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon.
    Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

    Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

    Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

    Aerial view of Wilderluxe.
    Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

    Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

    On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

    A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe.
    Sleep beneath the stars.

    Style and character

    When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

    Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

    The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe.
    Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

    ‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

    Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

    Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

    While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

    The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake.
    Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

    No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

    Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

    Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

    Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

    A person kayaking through serene waters.
    Paddle into peace.

    The details

    A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

    The interiors of the glamping tent.
    Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

    Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.