Wilson River Reserve
Location:
Noccundra – 142 kms west of Thargomindah along the Adventure Way
Accommodation:
Bush Camping
Facilities:
Public Shower and Toilet Block adjacent to the Noccundra Hotel
Noccundra Hotel – Fully Licensed Bar, Dining Room
Airstrip Coordinates:
Noccundra (YNCD) QLD Unlicensed
27 deg 48 min south, 142 deg 35 min east
Permission: Not Required; Fees: Nil; Var 8 E; Elevation 300ft; WAC 3342; Operator: Don Glasson – Noccundra Hotel
Runways: 04/22 Red Gravel 1500m. 13/31 Red Gravel 800m
Lighting: Emergency Flares; Windsock
Spec Proc: W side Wilson River. Taxi to back door of Hotel
A large waterhole exists within the Wilson River adjacent to the Noccundra Hotel and is referred to as the Noccundra Waterhole. This waterhole is a popular campsite for locals and visitors alike.
Wilson River is a tributary of Cooper's Creek. The River passes through the land belonging to Nockatunga Station, which was originally settled by the Drynan brothers in 1868. There is a complex relationship between stock movement, the artificial provision of water, and the development of the transport routes and settlement patterns in Outback regions. Historical and modern routes through the arid pastoral districts of Australia were dependent on the availability of water. The extensive system of travelling stock routes in western Queensland was made feasible by the discovery of water. Consequently, the Wilson River played a very large part in the settlement of the area. During the time of early exploration and settlement, the Wilson River Aboriginal Tribe, known as the Nockaburrawarry, lived in the area.
The Grey Range forms a watershed between the Wilson and the Bulloo Rivers. A large Waterhole exists within the Wilson River adjacent to the Noccundra Hotel and is referred to as the Noccundra Waterhole. South-west of Noccundra Waterhole, the course of the Wilson River spreads out, on its way across the plains. Today the Wilson River is a well-known fishing spot where Golden Perch (Yellow Belly), freshwater Catfish, and Spangled and Silver Perch can be caught. Yabbies are plentiful during the winter months of May to August.