Camp Creek: Discover Nature and Culture

Dthinna Dthinnawan National Park is a distinctive natural and cultural destination for a trip to Camp Creek. The landscape, threatened animal species and numerous Aboriginal sites highlight different aspects of the area. If you’re planning a trip around the park, be sure to factor in its special access requirement and the temporary closure of the horse-riding trails.

Landscape and Wildlife

The terrain is flat to gently undulating, with open woodland dotted with hills and billabongs. The landscape thus combines open woodland, occasional rises and waterholes. Threatened species recorded there include the black-striped wallaby, the zig-zag velvet gecko, the squatter pigeon and the delicate mouse. For several threatened bat species, however, the focus is on long-term protection. The park is one of the best areas for this; these bat species are native to the park.

Cultural Significance

The numerous Aboriginal sites bear witness to traditional culture and use of the area in earlier times. The area provided food and materials to the Gamilroi throughout the year. This year-round provision highlights another aspect alongside the sites: the use of the area also shaped the cultural connection to this place. The name Dthinna Dthinnawan means “place of the emu footprint” and adds a distinct cultural interpretation to the sites and history of use.

Activities, Access and Horse-Riding Trails

You can explore the park by mountain bike, on foot or on 4WD tours. The options differ mainly in how you get around: by bike, on foot or in a 4WD. The park is open to the public only if you stay at the historic Inverary Homestead. The homestead is in the central part of the park. So if you’re planning to include the national park in your trip, factor this overnight-stay requirement into your plans early.

Horse-riding options include short and long rides for endurance riders, recreational riders and trail-riding clubs. The park’s horse-riding trails are closed until further notice from 1 February to 31 December 2026. The notice cites safety and accessibility issues, as well as problems with the water supply. The closure applies to the horse-riding trails, not to the park as a whole. If you’re travelling during this period, check the closure status in advance. Keep the two restrictions distinct when planning: the overnight-stay requirement applies to access to the park, while the dated closure applies specifically to the horse-riding trails.

Finding Hotels and Visiting the Park

If you’re looking for hotels in Camp Creek, you can consider nature and culture when choosing your destination. If you plan to make the national park the focus of your stay, your accommodation plans must also take into account the requirement to stay at the historic Inverary Homestead.

Discover more destinations: Inverell.

Go to the main travel overview: Inverell Shire Council.