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?
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 .
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
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 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.
Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.
As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.
Slip, slop, slap.
And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.
Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.
1. Underwater worlds
Get a chance to swim with the locals.
There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.
Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.
Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.
2. Farm-to-table dining
Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)
Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.
The award-winning Potager Restaurant , part of The Hinterland Collection, is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.
Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House . This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.
3. Water wellness
Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)
You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.
4. Restorative seaside stays
Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.
The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.
While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.
5. Tasty drops
Join a Farm to Bottle tour. (Image: Salsingh Photography)
The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.
6. Rail trail adventures
Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.
Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes.
7. Linger longer
Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.
Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.
Stay for longer and indulge in plat at Tweed Holiday Parks.
