An Epic But Bumpy Mungo National Park 2WD Trip

Visiting the Mungo National Park in outback New South Wales (NSW) is an otherworldly experience. That’s due to a few reasons. First and foremost, the captivating scenery has to be seen to be believed. Mungo National Park and its main attraction; the Walls of China, are a mesmerising sight to behold. It’s the places natural beauty that initially draws visitors in. But once you learn more about the historical and archaeological findings here, the incredible landmark takes on a whole new level. Although typically explored in a 4×4, our guide will detail a Mungo National Park 2WD trip. But be warned, it’s not for the fainthearted.

Amazingly, there is evidence that Mungo National Park is one of the oldest places in the world (outside of Africa) to be occupied by the human species. It’s estimated that the Indigenous people of Australia lived here between 50-60,000 years ago. There’s also incredible archaeological findings of bones and artifacts belonging to the now-extinct megafauna. These gigantic animals that once existed alongside the Aborigines. It was a time when there was actually water in the lakes! An ecosystem and environment that has significantly changed since then.

This guide doesn’t aim to thoroughly explain the history and archaeological findings of the area. Just by visiting, you’ll learn a lot about those things. So if you don’t have a 4×4 vehicle, buckle up because it’s going to be a bumpy ride. This Mungo National Park 2WD itinerary, set within the Willandra Lakes World Heritage area, will take you along the 70km Mungo Loop Track. This self guided drive will detail the main attractions, walks and highlights of the area.

Mungo National Park 2WD: Self Guided Day Trip

Admittedly, visiting the Mungo National Park will be much more comfortable in a 4WD. That’s because all of the sandy roads in the national park are corrugated. For an explanation of how soft surfaced roads become corrugated, read Practical Motoring’s musings. Anyway, whatever scientific explanation there is for the corrugation of roads, just know that in a 2WD, it’s a VERY bumpy and slow drive.

Additionally, it’s not uncommon for the Mungo National Park to be inaccessible due to road closure as a result of wet weather. Literally as I write this article, the park’s closed because of this. Even when the park reopens, a 4WD is a much better option. You’re less likely to damage your vehicle, get stuck or need assistance. However, on a dry track, it’s totally doable to complete the Mungo Loop Track in a 2WD.

SIDE NOTE: Personally, without much experience driving on corrugated roads, we had to take it slow. Whilst all the 4×4 vehicles zoomed by, we were able to slowly but safely explore the area. If you choose to do the same, you can only follow this Mungo National Park 2WD guide in dry conditions when the roads are safe. Don’t be surprised if you are the only ones out there in a 2WD!

Either way, in a 2WD or 4WD, this guide will detail the self guided drive set out by NSW National Parks. Their website has an excellent interactive map of the Mungo Track which we suggest you check out. But be warned that you won’t have any phone reception when you’re there. For additional directions and maps on how to actually get to Mungo National Park, check out our Google Map directions.

There were some other walks on offer but they were either too long or didn’t look as interesting. This included the Zanci Pastoral Loop, Foreshore Walk and the Grassland Walk. For more information on these short walks, Visit Mungo has a nice summary of them.

All walks are graded by NSW National Parks using the Australian Walking Track Grading System. Where a grading is not provided, the difficulty is personally rated by TravelMade Me Do It

If you’re looking for other things to do in this part of the world, check out or Perry Sandhills guide and the Top 5 Things to do in Wentworth.

1. Mungo Lookout

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 200m
• Time: 5 minutes
• Accumulated elevation gain: None
• Difficulty: Very Easy
• Trailhead: Mungo Lookout Car Park

Before arriving at Mungo National Park, you’ll be treated to the unique atmosphere of a place, in the middle of nowhere! Barren and arid soil, shrubbery and trees surround you. The orange dust so synonymous with the outback occupies the lands with a brown tinge. It makes you aware that although you’re in bloody woop woop, you’re still a long way from the vivid red soil of central outback Australia.

So after a tediously bumpy drive, you’ll be relieved to arrive at the Mungo National Park. Most people will head straight to the Mungo Visitor Centre, which is generally the start of the 70km Mungo Track self drive loop. Before heading there, quickly stop at the Mungo Lookout. It technically falls just outside the Mungo Track. From the lookout, you will have a nice preview of what is to come. Views of the desert landscape residing over the now dried Lake Mungo and the most famous lunette of them all, the Walls of China, are just visible.

Without there being an extensive walking track here, you’ll soon be in the car heading to the Mungo Visitor Centre. Unfortunately, our trip coincided with the closure of the facility due to COVID-19. So we could only check it out from the outside, plus use the bathrooms. Usually, it’s recommended to pop in for some information brochures, maps and to get a lowdown of the area.

2. Mungo Woolshed

Even if the Mungo Visitor Centre is closed, be sure to park there as the Mungo Woolshed is situated next door. Built in 1869, you’ll have a much more recent history to learn about. The woolshed was creatively made of locally harvested cypress pine using a drop-log construction. Taking a step inside the sheep shearing quarters is like taking a step back in time. The woolshed doesn’t look like it has changed too much over the years. It’s only the safety signs and information plaques, teaching you about the pastoral history, that is evidence of interference of the original interior setup and design.

So you’ll have a truly authentic experience checking out the woolshed and reading more about it. In its heyday, the woolshed was a busy place. There could be upwards of 18 men shearing approximately 50,000 sheep. The once hectic and lively ambience is a stark contrast to the quiet and peaceful visit we had. Only Beck and I wondered the woolshed, merely imagining those more impressive scenes from another time. As the floorboards squeaked and screeched, our appetite for nature grew. We were quite excited to check out the lunettes and epic desert scenery coming up next.

3. Walls of China Viewing Platform

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 750m
• Time: 0.5 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: None
• Difficulty: Very Easy
• Trailhead: Walls of China Car Park

Once you’ve left the Visitor Centre Car Park, your Mungo Track self drive is in full swing. Expect to see kangaroos producing clouds of orange-brown dust as they bounce through the dried shrubbery. Soon enough, you’ll arrive at the main attraction; the Walls of China. There is a large car park here. This attraction will be the most crowded. After seeing only a handful of people during the trip so far, we were surprised at how many cars were here. There were probably 30 vehicles here, which doesn’t sound like a lot. But considering we were in the outback, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was relatively busy.

Walls of China Boardwalk

There is a slightly longer walk to get to the Walls of China viewing platform compared to the Mungo Lookout. But it’s still a very short walk. You’ll be mesmerised the entire time by the alien-looking landscape on display. There are mounds of red rock with rippled textures scattered throughout a yellow and brown coloured desert. The lunettes resemble a fascinating lunar like presence. Without seeing much of the Australian outback before, we were blown away.

The views from the Walls of China lookout are epic, but a bit far away to truly observe the interesting shapes and structures. Wandering the Walls of China without a tour guide is trespassing. It’s a big no-no. In the past, and still to this day, lunatics roam these fragile areas on bikes and other vehicles, leading to its destruction. Currently, guided tours of the Walls of China are the only legal way to get near them. In turn, this reduces foot traffic around the lunettes, which helps with conservation efforts.

Our Experience

Long story short, we explored Mungo National Park much earlier than we had anticipated due to a change of plans around COVID-19 travel restrictions. So it meant we hadn’t enough time to plan for a guided tour. When we arrived at the Walls of China lookout, we realised that only tour groups were allowed to explore the area in more detail. If we had our time over, we would have included a guided tour as part of our own self drive adventure. This would have allowed us to get closer to the Walls of China, meaning more epic photography.

You’ll still have a great time doing a Mungo National Park 2WD self exploration trip without a guided tour. Luckily, you’ll have a chance at seeing similarly stunning scenery at some of the other lookouts on this self drive itinerary.

4. Red Top Lookout & Boardwalk

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 500m
• Time: 0.5 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: None
• Difficulty: Grade 2
• Trailhead: Red Top Lookout Car Park

For those who haven’t organised a group tour, you’ll definitely want to check out the Red Top Lookout. This boardwalk takes you a lot closer to the lunettes and other lunar type landscape than the Walls of China boardwalk. For that reason alone, we actually preferred checking out the Red Top Lookout. You’ll find another generously sized car park here. Upon arrival, you’ll notice the rippled textured rocks are very close. Whilst still respecting the boundaries, you’ll have better photography opportunities here, even without an official guide.

As you wander the short boardwalk, your visual senses will be overloaded. The foreign and bizarre-looking desert is so unique. Give it some time to register and sink in. Other than the Pinnacles in the Ben Boyd National Park, Beck and I can’t recall another moment during our South Coast NSW / Victoria road trip when we were so lost for words.

5. Mallee Stop Walking Track

• Type: Loop
• Distance: 1km
• Time: 0.25 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: None
• Difficulty: Grade 3
• Trailhead: Mallee Stop Car Park

The Mallee Stop walking track is the only real bonafide walking trail that we decided to do. Most of the other walks have been short boardwalks designed for lookouts. At least the Mallee Stop Walking Track was a genuine trail through interesting terrain.

Parking is more limited here. But we’re sure you’ll be able to find a park close to the trail. A picnic area is positioned by the start of the trail. An orange dusty track will lead you through areas of shrubbery and trees. Small information boards describing wildlife are evenly distributed along the trail and are worth the read.

After the magnificence of the Walls of China and Red Top lookouts, don’t be surprised if you’re a little underwhelmed by this walk. Nevertheless, it’s worth visiting, for at the very least, it could be a perfect stop for lunch. Otherwise, close by is the next stop; Vigars Well Picnic Area, an alternate place to eat.

6. Vigars Well

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 1km
• Time: 0.5 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 3Minimal
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Vigars Well Picnic Area

It’s been approximately 15,000 years since the Willandra Lakes region held water. When you’re exploring this area, it’s truly hard to imagine that this now desert landscape was once submerged underwater by Lake Mungo. But when you arrive at Vigar Wells, you get a small insight into how this land was once saturated with water. Originally this area was a natural spring used by the Aborigines during times of drought. But since then, it was dug in the 1930s by Roy Vigar and turned into a well. It became a reliable source of water used to wash horses and bullocks.

The stop at Vigar Wells was actually one of our favourite parts of the itinerary. Not because of the well. But because the picnic area is a gateway to exploring some more of the iconic lunette walls. Once you arrive at the large car park, you’ll see a series of large sand dunes. Walking up them takes a bit of effort but you are rewarded with fantastic panoramic views of the wondrous landscape. Continuing on the sand dunes takes you deeper into the lunar-like terrain.

We aimlessly wandered the lunettes for half an hour or so. The size of the lunettes was larger than we had expected. Their textures and shapes incredible, plus their varied colours consisted of a palette of orange, green, yellow and brown. Self exploring this area conjured an otherworldly experience difficult to replicate elsewhere. Perhaps only in other desert landscapes will you have the chance to enjoy this sensation.

FYI there is a drop toilet at this location. Although you’re not far from the end of the self drive loop, where you’ll find bathrooms at the Mungo National Park Visitor Centre.

7. Zanci Homestead

The final stop of the Mungo National Park 2WD self drive is the Zanci Homestead. The site is made up of a few original buildings, some refurbished whilst others remain as ruins. Although the refurbished constructions accurately reflect what it used to look like, we generally prefer the ruins of any given place. It often gives a place an edgier, real and older ambience. In this case, perhaps the combination of refurbished buildings and original ruins provided an appropriate mix of both worlds.

Make sure to descend the stairs into the well maintained dugout. You’ll experience a drop in temperature. It’s surely a welcome reprieve on a hot day. Checking out this area takes around half an hour. But this really depends on how much time you spend at the Zanci Woolshed. Once part of the Mungo Woolshed, it was relocated and rebuilt on this site. Inside the woolshed are numerous information boards detailing the pastoral history of the Willandra Lakes region in great detail.

This part of the tour wasn’t a highlight. But, it’s still worth a visit. You will leave the Mungo National Park with a greater understanding of the pastoral history. Plus, a great insight into the construction of this time.

Mungo National Park 2WD Self Drive Recap

Even after one hell of a bumpy ride to and from the Mungo National Park, you’ll thoroughly enjoy your time here. As discussed, consider a 4WD for comfort. But do know that the trip is possible in a 2WD, if the roads are open! The epic scenery and panoramic desert landscape on offer are truly mesmerising. Plus, the history and archaeological findings of the area add even more layers of amazement to this already stunning place. Barren, desolate, but beautiful.

For more information on how to get there, where to stay and total costs, please read below.

Five Essentials For Mungo National Park

Keep in mind that during winter, even during the day, it can be really cold in the outback. So you’ll need some warm layers. But during summer, it can get stinking hot! Because we travelled in winter, some of our gear essentials for Mungo National Park are clothes you wouldn’t dream of wearing in summer.

For a more comprehensive packing list, please check out the Ultimate Packing Checklist. It’s a great general summary of everything you’d need for a trip. For even more information check out our 66 Travel Accessories That You Must Travel With. We go in-depth into what hiking and camping gear we use.

• Nikon D3400 Digital SLR Camera – you’ll want a camera to capture the magical lunettes and desert landscape.
• Beam Electronics Car Phone Holder – this will be really handy if you’re following directions on your phone.
• Ray-Ban Polarised Clubmaster Square Oversized Sunglasses – during summer, you’ll need a pair of these!
• The North Face Men’s TKA Glacier Snap Fleece jacket – you’ll be surprised how cold it gets during winter at the Mungo National Park.
• Patagonia Men’s Down Sweater Jacket – in winter, you’ll need some layers!

Trail Navigation

All of the short walks in the Mungo National Park are very easy to follow. So you won’t need any help with directions. However, there is no phone reception at Mungo National Park. So for the self-drive, you may want to download a general map of the area on Maps.me to use just in case. Otherwise, you can use Google Maps to at least get you to Mungo National Park. From there, the self-drive is very easy to follow.

We hope you enjoy your Mungo National Park 2WD adventure. Please comment below if you did a guided tour to tell us more.