The Paroo-Darling National Park spans two distinct regions in the outback

Outback

The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".-Overview:The outback is home to a...

 area of north-western New South Wales

New South Wales

New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...

. This region covers the arid catchments of the Paroo River (Peery and Poloko Lakes) and the Paroo-Darling confluence to the south.

History

Aboriginal heritage has been protected here and evidence of a lifestyle spanning back many thousands of years in the hearth sites, stone tool scatters and scarred trees that had supplied bark.

Paroo-Darling National Park was formed after the purchase of seven properties between 2000 and 2003 by the New South Wales Government, with assistance from the National Reserve System Program. The northern section of the park, near White Cliffs, comprises the former stations, Arrowbar, Peery and Mandalay. The park now covers 178,053 ha.

Environment

The park is set in a landscape of grey cracking clays and red sand hills along the Darling River floodplains.
Peery and Poloko Lakes and their associated wetlands form part of the Paroo overflow which is important for wildlife. Peery Lake covers 5,026 hectares when in flood and is the largest of the Paroo Overflow lakes. This lake is a water bird haven and when full it will hold water for several years. When dry, Peery Lake is the only location in NSW where Great Artesian Basin

Great Artesian Basin

The Great Artesian Basin provides the only reliable source of freshwater through much of inland Australia. The basin is the largest and deepest artesian basin in the world, stretching over a total of , with temperatures measured ranging from 30°C to 100°C...

 mound springs are visible in a lakebed. Most of the park lies within the Paroo Floodplain and Currawinya Important Bird Area

Paroo Floodplain and Currawinya Important Bird Area

The Paroo Floodplain and Currawinya Important Bird Area is a 7874 km2 site comprising the floodplain and the associated wetlands of the Paroo River in north-western New South Wales and south-western Queensland, Australia...

, identified as such by BirdLife International

BirdLife International

BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...

 because of its importance, when conditions are suitable, for large numbers of waterbirds.

Access

This park can be accessed via dry weather roads, from the villages of either White Cliffs

White Cliffs, New South Wales

White Cliffs is a small town in outback New South Wales in Australia, in Central Darling Shire. White Cliffs is around 255 km northeast of Broken Hill, 93 km north of Wilcannia. At the 2006 census, White Cliffs had a population of 119....

 (20 km) or Wilcannia

Wilcannia, New South Wales

Wilcannia is a small town located within the Central Darling Shire in north western New South Wales, Australia. This was the third largest inland port in the country during the great river boat era of the mid-19th century. At the 2006 census, Wilcannia had a population of 596.- Geography...

. The Visitor Centre at White Cliffs is able to provide further up-to-date information on the Paroo-Darling National Park.

Camping is permitted at the Coach and Horses campground at the old Wilga Station which is approximately 50 km east of Wilcannia.