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

Kassia Byrnes 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.

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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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The secret Sydney suite life: a luxury under-the-radar stay right on the harbour

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.

    Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).

    All-inclusive VIP benefits

    Who Is Elijah Amenities at Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay

    Pier One Sydney Harbour

    Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Step into a piece of history with all the modern comforts. (Credit: Dave Wheeler)

    The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.

    If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.

    Pier One Suites

    Pier One Sydney Harbour admiral suite
    Enjoy incredible views from your suite.

    Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.

    United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.

    But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.

    Dining at Pier One

    Pier Bar Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.

    Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.

    PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.

    Around town

    luna park, sydney opera house and sydney harbour bridge
    Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.

    You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.

    Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.

    Ready to make that Pier One stay a reality? Book the ultimate Sydney staycation at pieronesydneyharbour.com.au