Cooinda Park Rest Area Free Camping Wyalong NSW

Cooinda Park Rest Area, Wyalong, NSW: we’ve stayed more than once. See the water, dump point, dog park, wetlands and rig advice. Cooinda Rest Area (also called Cooinda Reserve) is a free camp at Wyalong, New South Wales with toilets, drinking water, a dump point, a covered BBQ area and a dog park. We have camped here more than once and it is one of our favourite free camps for an easy overnight stop in the Bland Shire.

Quick Answer: Is Cooinda Park Rest Area (Cooinda Park) A Good Free Camp?

Yes. Cooinda Park suits travellers who want free camping with real facilities and something to see. It takes tent campers, RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Throw in being pet friendly and it’s even better.

The wetlands and history displays make it much more than a roadside stop. The main things to watch are low branches and soft ground after rain (both covered below).

Cooinda Park Rest Area Toilets And Dump Point

Our Latest Stay At Cooinda Park Rest Area (Cooinda Park)

On our way up to Carinda for the David Bowie Let’s Dance Festival, we camped a night at Cooinda Park Rest Area. It was not our first visit. We have stayed here before and it is such a good free camping spot in Wyalong that we decided it deserved its own blog post.

Wyalong is only about 90 minutes from home and we often stay at Cooinda Reserve when heading north from home. We can leave work late in the day and still make it to a decent campsite before dark.

This time we arrived at around 4.30pm. We set up camp down towards the back but over towards the highway side as there was nobody in that area – we like to be on our own as much as possible. We tow a 17 foot offroad caravan and had no problem getting into our chosen camping spot. There were all sorts of offroad, onroad and motorhomes scattered throughout the camping area. Cooinda Park was reasonably busy that night but there was still room for more campers. At a guess I’d say there were about 20 caravans/motorhomes in for the night. There’s a bit of road noise as you are close to the highway but it slows down a lot after about 10pm. We’d had a bit of rain in the week before however the road in to camp was still solid. Some of the grassier areas might have been a bit softer but we didn’t notice anyone having any issues.

Boofhead Dave Having A Beer At The Free Camp In Wyalong NSW

What Cooinda Reserve Offers

Bland Shire Council describes Cooinda Reserve as the perfect location to stop and relax, with amenities, a covered BBQ area and a place to let the dogs have a run. The NSW Government visitor listing also notes that the reserve is ideal for free 24-hour camping, with covered barbecues, picnic spaces, toilets, a dump point and water.

The huge Poppet Head and Neeld’s Hut are reminders of the historic past of West Wyalong and Wyalong. Interpretative panels around the reserve tell the story of the area, and you can also see a replica Malleefowl nest, metal junk art and displays on the history of eucalyptus oil in West Wyalong.

Cooinda Park Offleash Dog Area

Facilities At Cooinda Rest Area (Cooinda Park)

• Toilets
• Potable (drinking) water at the BBQ facility
• Covered BBQ area
• Picnic tables
• Rubbish bins
• Dump point
• Dog park and open space for pets
• Interpretative history panels and outdoor art

Tar Heater Used For Bitumen Roads In The Bland Shire NSW

Wetlands And The Green Corridor Walk

Across the road is a beautiful wetlands area, which is a wonderful attraction for many birds. Bring binoculars if you enjoy birdwatching.

If you feel like a long walk, Cooinda Park Rest Area (Cooinda Park) is on the Green Corridor Walking and Cycling Track. According to Bland Shire Council, the 5 km track begins at The Wetlands, passes through Cooinda Reserve and the RSL Memorial Walk, and continues through West Wyalong to McCann Park. Along the way there is outdoor art and history panels, so it works well as a walk, jog or bike ride.

Parts of the track follow a water course and can be seasonal, so avoid using it when the ground is wet.

Digger Bucket In Front Of Poppet Head At Cooinda Park Wyalong

Access For Caravans, Campers And Big Rigs

Cooinda Park is accessible to motorbikes, RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Large vehicles should use caution as there are a few low branches. If you enter near the main road, there is a big enough gap to get through.

Caution: the ground can be soft when wet. After rain, stay on firm ground, walk the area first if you are unsure, and be ready to move on to another camp if conditions look poor.

Cooinda Park Rest Area Free Camping Wyalong NSW

Cooinda Park Rest Area Camping Details

Before You Go

Camping rules, stay limits and site conditions can change. Check the signs on arrival and confirm current details with Bland Shire Council on (02) 6979 0272 before you travel. Please take your rubbish with you if the bins are full, keep pets under control and leave the area clean for the next travellers.

Cooinda Park Dump Point Wyalong NSW

FAQs Frequently Asked Questions About Cooinda Park Rest Area Free Camping Wyalong NSW