Sturt National Park Bikepacking

We decided after looking at a map of Sturt National Park that there would be a good bike packing trip from Tibooburra to Olive Downs Campground and back – a round trip of around 110 Kilometers. We were a bit worried about the weather prediction of 35 degrees maximum – but decided it would be OK if we rode early. We arranged to leave our ute parked in front of the local police station at Tibooburra while we were away. 

Tibooburra Police Station

Turn off to Jump Up Loop

We rode the first 20kms on the Silver City Highway. It was all dirt road, and not a car in sight – so it was very safe! The scenery was a vast gibber plain with rolling hills and lots of kangaroo and emu sightings. We turned off the highway onto the Jump Up Loop Road. 

The ‘jumps ups’ are flat mesas which rise 150 metres above the plains. Olive Downs Campground was very pleasant – and we had it all to ourselves.

Riding towards the "Jump Ups"

Sleeping under the starts (with some fly protection)

The next day we rode back down the highway towards Tibooburra to complete the loop. The highway was a lot busier  – we saw one car! There was a strong headwind all the way back – so it was pretty slow going.  Because we were taking a bit longer than expected the local policeman and his wife drove out to see how we were doing – which was very kind of them.  When we got back to the police station she gave us some iceblocks, they tasted great after a hot ride!

Gibber Roads

Olive Downs Shearer Quarters

Long Road back to Tibooburra