There are road trips, and then there are road trips that remind you just how incredible regional Australia really is.
Leaving the peaceful shores of Lake Keepit behind, we headed west towards one of New South Wales’ hidden gems – the Pilliga Artesian Bore Baths. Along the way we discovered giant radio telescopes, enjoyed lunch beside a beautiful natural lake, wandered through Aboriginal sculptures hidden in the bush, and soaked in naturally heated mineral water beneath spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
If you’re looking to escape the crowds, this journey should definitely be on your travel list.
Australia’s Window to the Universe.
Our first stop was the CSIRO Australia Telescope Compact Array, located just outside Narrabri.
It’s impossible to miss six enormous white satellite dishes rising above the landscape.
Each dish measures an incredible 22 metres in diameter and can be moved along a three-kilometre railway track to create different telescope configurations. Rather than looking at visible light, these telescopes detect radio waves from space, allowing astronomers to study distant galaxies, exploding stars, pulsars and even black holes.
Operated by CSIRO, this internationally recognised observatory has helped place Australia at the forefront of radio astronomy research.
Even if science isn’t usually your thing, it’s well worth stopping. Standing beneath these giant dishes gives you a real appreciation for the scale of our universe.
Lunch at Lake Yarrie
Before continuing west, we stopped at the peaceful Lake Yarrie, one of the region’s most fascinating natural attractions.
Unlike most Australian lakes, Lake Yarrie is almost perfectly saucer-shaped, measuring around three kilometres in diameter. It’s widely believed to have been formed thousands of years ago by the impact of a meteorite, giving it its distinctive circular shape. Whether you’re interested in geology or simply love unique places, it’s well worth a visit.
The lake is surrounded by shady gum trees and is a haven for birdlife, making it an ideal place to stop for lunch, stretch your legs or spend a few peaceful hours enjoying the scenery.
If you’re not in a hurry, you can easily stay a little longer. Powered and unpowered campsites are available, along with hot showers, toilets, picnic shelters and barbecues, making Lake Yarrie an excellent overnight stop for caravanners, campers and motorhome travellers exploring north-west New South Wales.
We only stopped for lunch this time, but after seeing just how peaceful it is, it’s definitely somewhere we’d happily return to for a few nights.
Welcome to the Pilliga Artesian Bore Baths
After a few more hours on the road, we finally reached one of New South Wales’ most unique camping destinations.
The Pilliga Artesian Bore Baths are wonderfully simple.
For just $7 per night, campers receive access to:
- Large camping area
- Two toilets
- Outdoor shower (with a privacy door)
- Campfires permitted
- The famous 37°C artesian bore bath
There are no powered sites, no shops and no luxuries.
Just peace and quiet.
The naturally heated artesian water remains around 37 degrees year-round, making it the perfect place to relax no matter what season you’re visiting.
Watching the sun rise through the steam or soaking beneath an incredible country sunset quickly becomes the highlight of your stay.
Sometimes the best experiences don’t need fancy facilities.
Come Prepared
The Pilliga Bore Baths are wonderfully remote, so preparation is essential.
Bring everything you’ll need including:
- Drinking water
- Food
- Fuel
- Ice
- Firewood if required
- Any supplies you’ll need during your stay
There are no nearby shops, supermarkets or service stations.
The nearest towns are Wee Waa approximately 55km away, Baradine, approximately 70 kilometres away, where you’ll find fuel, groceries and basic supplies.
Exploring Baradine & Sculptures in the Scrub
One day we headed into Baradine before visiting one of the area’s true highlights — Sculptures in the Scrub.
Located within the beautiful Pilliga Forest, this unique walking trail combines Aboriginal culture, contemporary sculpture and stunning bushland scenery.
The sculptures were created by Aboriginal artists representing the Gamilaraay, Yuwaalaraay and Wiradjuri peoples, telling stories of Country, Dreaming and the deep spiritual connection First Nations people have with this ancient landscape.
The easy walking track winds through sandstone cliffs, native bushland and spectacular lookouts overlooking the Pilliga Forest.
It’s peaceful, educational and one of the most unique attractions we’ve visited in regional NSW.
On our drive out to the sculptures ( more dirt roads) we were lucky enough to spot a a few emus wandering through the bush, reminding us that the Pilliga is still very much wild Australia.
Don’t Trust Your GPS!
Here’s one lesson we learnt the hard way.
When travelling from the bore baths to Baradine, our GPS directed us via Western Way.
Technically…
It gets you there.
But be prepared for around 30 kilometres of deep red sand, where it genuinely feels like you’re driving along the beach.
Thankfully our Ranger handled it with ease, but if you’re towing a caravan or don’t enjoy sand driving, we’d recommend avoiding this route.
On the way back we travelled via Cypress Way.
Although still an unsealed road, it was far firmer, smoother and made for a much more enjoyable drive.
If you have the choice, take Cypress Way.
Final Thoughts
The drive from Lake Keepit to the Pilliga Artesian Bore Baths turned out to be one of our favourite regional NSW adventures.
From standing beneath giant radio telescopes and enjoying lunch beside Lake Yarrie, to soaking in naturally heated artesian waters, discovering Aboriginal art hidden in the bush and navigating unexpected sandy tracks, every stop offered something memorable.
If you love quiet camping, beautiful country sunsets, unique attractions and genuine outback hospitality, the Pilliga deserves a spot on your bucket list.
Sometimes all you need is a campfire, a warm bore bath, endless stars and nowhere else you need to be.
Travel Tips
- 💰 Camping: $7 per night
- ♨️ Bore Bath temperature: 37°C year-round
- 🚿 Two toilets and an outdoor shower
- 🔥 Campfires permitted
- 🛒 Bring all food, drinking water and supplies
- ⛽ Fuel available in Baradine (around 70 km away)
- 🚙 Avoid Western Way if towing or uncomfortable driving through deep sand
- ✅ Use Cypress Way for an easier drive
- 🦘 Watch for kangaroos and emus, especially at dawn and dusk
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