Currawinya National Park

Currawinya National Park is a protected area in south-west Queensland, Australia, notable for its semi-arid plains and two inland saline lakes that are important waterbird habitats. The park conserves a mix of sandhill country, mulga woodland and wetland systems.

The park’s main attractions are the two large lakes, Lake Numalla and Lake Wyara, which attract waterbirds including pelicans, ducks and migratory waders when they hold water. The surrounding mosaic of sand dunes and gibber plains supports native shrubs and grassland; wildlife spotting and birdwatching are the primary reasons people visit.

The area was protected to conserve its unique wetland-lake system and surrounding semi-arid environments; the lakes and floodplain have long been important for wildlife rather than intensive agriculture. Management focuses on conserving habitat values and seasonal waterbird populations.

Geographically the park sits in south-west Queensland in inland eastern Australia, on semi-arid plains of the state. It occupies low-lying country with scattered sandhills and dry woodlands surrounding the two permanent-to-ephemeral lakes.

• Best time for birdwatching: The lakes are ephemeral and fill after seasonal rains, producing the best concentrations of waterbirds and waders.

What to See #

• Lake Numalla and Lake Wyara: Two shallow terminal lakes, Lake Numalla and Lake Wyara, lie within the park and are seasonally variable saline wetlands that support large concentrations of waterbirds when filled.