ITINERARY
Day 1: Canberra to Lake Cargelligo
Embark on an unforgettable desert adventure! At 8:00 AM, we’ll pick you up from Canberra and begin our journey to Western New South Wales. Today’s drive takes us on a scenic 5-hour route to Lake Cargelligo. Along the way, we’ll stop to spot wildlife and enjoy a relaxing lunch at the West Wyalong wetlands.
We’ll arrive at Lake Cargelligo in the afternoon, a haven for desert and waterbirds. We’ll explore the eastern shores of the lake, where you may spot Pink Cockatoos, Sea Eagles, Avocets, Chats, and many more.
As the sun sets, we’ll enjoy a delicious BBQ by the river before settling in for the night at a cozy local hotel in Lake Cargelligo.
Day 2: Lake Cargelligo to Round hill Nature Reserve
Today, we’ll rise early and head to Nombinnie and Round Hill Nature Reserves, where we’ll enjoy breakfast surrounded by spinifex. These reserves protect the largest remaining strand of mallee in New South Wales, and it’s in expansive areas like this where many of the region’s rare plants and animals find refuge. We’ll spend the day exploring these reserves in search of elusive wildlife, including Malleefowl, Red Kangaroos, Mallee birds, and, during summer, a variety of reptiles such as Sand Monitors and snakes.
In the afternoon, we’ll check into the remote Mount Hope Pub and settle into our rooms. After a hearty pub dinner, you’ll have the option to venture out and explore the reserves at night, seeking out owls, nightjars, snakes, frogs, geckoes, kangaroos, kultarrs, and much more.
Day 3: Round Hill Nature Reserve to Canberra
After breakfast, we’ll continue exploring the reserve in search of any wildlife we may have missed. By mid-morning, we’ll begin our journey back to Canberra, stopping for a delicious lunch at a charming country bakery along the way. We’ll return to Canberra in the afternoon, wrapping up our unforgettable adventure.