Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, just West of Cunnamulla, is a former pastoral property that is owned and managed by Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC). Volunteers from Birds Queensland assist with the Bowra Campgrounds as Camp Hosts. You can volunteer for this role by emailing Mark.Mclaren@australianwildlife.org and information regarding this role will be emailed to you.
Bowra has a long reputation as a reliable birding site with a bird list of over two hundred species, although some of those are very infrequent visitors. Bourke’s Parrot and Hall’s Babbler are resident species. A bird list is available at the property.
Bowra Sanctuary is open to bird-watching visitors from May to mid-October most years.
Directions: The Sanctuary is about sixteen kilometres from Cunnamulla. Head west from town across the Warrego River and after about two hundred metres turn right at the sign (Humeburn Rd, Golf Course, Bowra etc.). Head north about nine kilometres to the Bowra gate on the left. (Sign on the fence saying Bowra Sanctuary). The house and campground are six kilometres along the dirt road. Follow the signs and stop at the Check In & Out Shack (a current map can be provided after you book in). On your left as you approach the check-in shack is a rocky pad; please park up on the pad near the hose and await your Camp Hosts for your property Induction. If it is wet then inquire if the roads are passable.
Visiting Bowra: For more detailed information go to Bowra Visitor Program on the AWC web site.
Accommodation: Only camping is offered at Bowra. Part of the camping area has facilities for a few caravans or camper trailers to access 240v power. This power is quite limited and not suitable for air conditioning, heating, cooking or other power-hungry uses. For other accommodation needs, Cunnamulla is probably the best option – it has almost everything you could need (food, refreshments, vehicle repairs etc) and is only 15 minutes away
Bookings are essential whether for day visits or overnight stays. They can be made only from the AWC booking web site and require payment at time of booking. Book here.
Maps and other information on getting about the property and suggested places to look for birds are supplied to all visitors.
4WD vehicles are recommended. All roads on the property are dirt – they can be dusty in dry conditions and muddy and usually impassable when wet. Even a small amount of rainfall may close the sanctuary tracks. Vehicles over four tonnes and some 2WD vehicles are not suitable for the tracks. In case of vehicle break-down you do require your own recovery plan for your vehicle.
A Bird Call is held each evening and all are asked to contribute. The data collected at bird call is added to the ten years of records of bird populations there.
Bowra now has a reliable UHF radio service. A UHF radio would be helpful if you can bring one. Channel 13.
Key Contacts
- Location: 887 Humeburn Road, Cunnamulla QLD
- Camp Hosts: phone 0455 527 698.
- Sanctuary Manager: 0447 466 180
- Web site: www.australianwildlife.org
- Email: bowra@australianwildlife.org
Hours of Operation
Camping
- Check in / arrivals: between 2pm and 5pm
- Check out / departures: by 10am
Day Visitors
- Check in: between 7am and 9 am
- Depart: by 5pm
