Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) owns, manages, or influences more land for conservation than any other non-government conservation organisation in Australia. Our sanctuaries and partnership sites are located in iconic regions including the Kimberley, Central Australia, Cape York, Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, Kangaroo Island, and the southwestern forests.
At certain times of the year, AWC welcomes visitors to some of our locations to experience the benefits of effective conservation first-hand.
Please see below for information about the sanctuaries open to public visitors this year and how to book your place. Note: Bookings are essential at each sanctuary and places fill fast.
Wayne Lawler/AWC
Queensland
Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary
Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the heart of the Mulga Lands Bioregion and is an important refuge for the wildlife of the area. It is a renowned hotspot for inland Australia’s threatened birdlife, making it one of the country’s most rewarding birdwatching destinations. Bush camping is available on site, and there are a couple of marked walks nearby including the nearby lagoon. A number of bird monitoring programs are in place at Bowra and all visitors are encouraged to assist.
The campground is open to visitors from 1 May until mid-October 2024. Bookings are essential.
Wayne Lawler/AWC
Western Australia
Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary
Located on the botanically rich boundary of the central wheatbelt and Murchison regions, Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary covers more than 130,000 hectares of spectacular semi-arid woodland including salmon gum and gimlet straddling the west side of Lake Moore. AWC offers a selection of self-guided drives and walks at Mt Gibson. For the nature-loving traveller, this is a unique opportunity to experience one of Australia’s beautiful landscapes while also helping protect Australia’s endangered wildlife.
Mt Gibson Quartz Ride Campsite is open from 1 May until 30 September 2024. Bookings are essential.
Joey Clarke/AWC
Northern Territory
Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary
Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary is located in central Australia. Covering almost 262,000 hectares, and located near the intersection of three central Australian bioregions, Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Australia’s largest non-government protected areas. The scenery at Newhaven is spectacular: dramatic quartzite mountains overlook extensive parallel sand dunes and shimmering salt lakes and clay pans. Newhaven is a hotspot for the wildlife of central Australia and is home to threatened species including the Black-footed Rock-wallaby, the Brush-tailed Mulgara and an important population of the Great Desert Skink.
Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary is open from 30 March to 30 September 2024. Bookings are essential.
© Wayne Lawler/AWC
Western Australia
Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary
Only an hour out of Perth in the stunning Avon Valley, Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary offers a number of spectacular walking trails through Jarrah, Wandoo and Powderbark forest combined with heathland and riparian habitat. Self-guided walks are available during our open season which is usually May to October. With spectacular woodland, wildflowers, creeks and waterfalls, there are trails suited to a range of ages and abilities.
Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary is open for self-guided walks from 1 May to 31 October 2024. Bookings are essential.
Wayne Lawler/AWC
South Australia
Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary
Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary is a vast desert wilderness, stretching from the north shore of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre to the southern boundary of the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert Regional Reserve. Spanning over 140 kilometres from east to west, Kalamurina features vast, spectacular dunefields, a network of freshwater and saline lakes, riparian and floodplain habitats and small gibber plains. It provides refuge for a diversity of desert wildlife including the Crest-tailed Mulgara (Ampurta), the Dusky Hopping Mouse, and the Eyrean Grasswren.
Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary is open for low-level camping from 1 May to 30 September 2024 (weather permitting). Bookings are essential.
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Wayne Lawler/AWC
Luke Playford/AWC
Wayne Lawler/AWC
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