If you're seeking a remote camping experience that offers solitude, stunning landscapes, and a sense of timelessness, Dead Horse Gully National Park Campground near Tibooburra in NSW could be a solution, especially when you have it all to yourself for seven days.
Nestled within the rugged beauty of Sturt National Park, this campground is surrounded by the stark, captivating scenery of the Australian outback. The red granite boulders, golden spinifex grasses, and endless blue skies create a magical setting that feels like stepping into another world. Watching the sun rise and set over the rocky outcrops is an experience, with colors shifting dramatically across the landscape. There is Granite's Nature Trail which is meant to be 4 kilometer walk but it did not feel that long at all so we walked to the top of a ridge behind the camp area for a view from the higher vantage point. There is also the Golden Gully Mining site to explore which is not an actual mining site but a lot of old mining equipment has been assembled in the area.
The campground itself is well-maintained, offering basic facilities like two separate areas with brand new composting toilets and shelters covering brand new dual da-christe gas barbeques and picnic tables, but don’t expect luxury it’s all about the connection to nature here. Having the place entirely to yourself amplifies this experience. The silence is profound, broken only by the wind or the calls of animals and birds. At night, the lack of light pollution reveals a dazzling canopy of stars and moving satellites, perfect for stargazing. Beware that the road in is a bit rough and access to some areas of this campground during wet weather will be limited plus there are limited options for anyone with longer rigs, possibly 3 or maybe 4 big rigs in total if dry weather.
Wildlife encounters are regular. Goats, kangaroos, lizards and emus wander nearby, and the area is home to a variety of bird species. The sense of isolation is refreshing but never intimidating, as the sheer beauty of the landscape keeps you company.
A week in such solitude allows for relaxation, self-reflection, or quality time with family of friends if traveling with others. It’s a chance to disconnect from the world and immerse yourself in the outback Ensure to arrive prepared with plenty of water, food, and supplies, as Tibooburra is the nearest town, and services are limited especially when almost everything is closed over holidays. We initially spent four nights here without seeing another human then headed further up the Silver City Highway to stay at Olive Downs campground as National Parks had removed the road closed alerts from their website.
Unfortunately on arrival both ends of Jump Up Loop Road still had road closed signs so we returned to Dead Horse Gully for two more nights.
Whether you're an avid camper or someone looking for a truly unique escape, Dead Horse Gully National Park Campground is a must visit. And if you’re lucky enough to experience it with no one else there for seven days, you’ll leave very refreshed.
Visitors wishing to stay need to book with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
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Frequent aircraft pass directly over head
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Toilets, enclosed bins area and gas BBQ shelter
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da christie gas BBQ's
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| Golden Gully mining site |
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| Tibooburra Sign north of Tibooburra |
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| Shingle Back Lizard above dropped in for a drink of water from our draw bar water tap |
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Also water tanks at shelters
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Older but larger covered shelter
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| Emu visiting |
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| View from ridge behind Dead Horse Gully Campground over Tibooburra |
