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Bulla Park Rest Area, Noona NSW

A Solitary Stop in the Vast Outback Landscape

Bulla Park Rest Area is a quintessential outback free camp located on the long and lonely stretch of the Barrier Highway between Cobar and Wilcannia in New South Wales. For travellers making the iconic journey to Broken Hill, this rest area offers a vital opportunity to pull over, rest, and experience the profound quiet and scale of the Australian bush. It is a large, open, and relatively basic site, appealing to self-sufficient campers who value space, solitude, and the chance to disconnect. Set well back from the highway, the site minimises traffic noise, allowing for a peaceful night’s sleep under an expansive sky teeming with stars.

The rest area features a large, unsealed surface of dirt and gravel, which is generally firm and accessible for all types of vehicles, from large motorhomes and caravans to smaller campervans. While there are some trees dotted around the perimeter that may offer a little shade, the area is mostly open, so awnings are recommended in the hotter months. The facilities are limited to the essentials for a short stay: toilets and rubbish bins. As there is no potable water, visitors must arrive with all the water they need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Being pet-friendly with plenty of room to roam, it’s an excellent spot for travellers with dogs. For those undertaking the classic outback road trip, Bulla Park Rest Area is not just a place to stop; it’s an immersive experience of the remote NSW landscape.

Bulla Park Rest Area – NSW Map

Name: Bulla Park Rest Area
Address: Barrier Hwy, Noona NSW 2835
GPS Coordinates: -31.5588, 144.6265

Site Details

Site Suitable For: Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs, Camper Trailers, Tents.
Road Access: Sealed highway (Barrier Highway).
Site Surface: Dirt and gravel.
Camping Permitted: Yes.
Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
Number of Sites Available: Very large open area, 25+ unpowered sites.
Pet Friendly: Yes.
Fishing: Not available at this location.
Short Walks: Plenty of space for walking around the bushland setting.

Facilities

Picnic Tables: Yes.
Potable Water: No. This is a critical point; bring all your own water.
Mobile Phone Coverage: Very limited to non-existent. A satellite phone or personal locator beacon is recommended for remote travel.
TV Reception: Unlikely.
Onsite Public Toilets: No.
Rubbish Bins: Yes.
Open Fires: Generally prohibited. Check local fire bans.
Generator Use: Permitted, with respect for other campers.

Essentials to Bring

A substantial supply of drinking water.
All food, cooking supplies, and emergency provisions.
A full tank of fuel.
Insect repellent and a fly net, especially in warmer months.

Local Amenities (in nearby Cobar, approx. 120 km east)

Pubs

Great Western Hotel: An iconic pub with a long iron-lacework verandah.
Empire Hotel Restaurant: Offers hearty meals.
Cobar Bowling & Golf Club: A large club with full bar and dining.

Places to Eat

Cobar RSL Club: A popular choice for bistro meals.
Various cafes and takeaway shops on the main street of Cobar.
IGA Supermarket for all grocery needs.

Local Attractions

Great Cobar Heritage Centre & Museum.
Fort Bourke Lookout over the open-cut mine.
Cobar Miners Heritage Park.

Caravan Parks

Cobar Caravan Park.

Next Free Camps

Meadow Glen Rest Area: Approximately 65 km east.
Rest areas west towards Wilcannia.

Services

Nearest Dump Point: Cobar Caravan Park (a fee may apply).
Nearest Petrol Station: Multiple service stations in Cobar.
Drinking Water Resupply: Check at the Cobar Visitor Information Centre.
Public Toilets: On-site.

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Far West NSW

Summer (Dec-Feb): Extremely hot and dry, daytime temperatures often exceed 40°C. Travel with extreme caution.
Autumn (Mar-May): Warm days and cooler nights make this the prime season for travel.
Winter (Jun-Aug): Mild and sunny days with very cold nights and frosts.
Spring (Sep-Nov): Pleasant and warm, a great time to see wildflowers after rain.