Iningai Nature Reserve, named after the Iningai Traditional Owners who lived along the Thomson River from Stonehenge to Muttaburra, is part of the Longreach Town Common. This reserve features diverse landscapes, including floodplains and waterholes, and is situated within the Mitchell Grass Downs region—one of the world’s largest natural grassland ecosystems.
The reserve offers three walking loops: Coolibah, Wilga, and Gidgee, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Each loop presents unique sights, from Coolibah-fringed waterholes to cracking-clay floodplains and low open gidgee woodlands. The area hosts a rich variety of wildlife adapted to the arid climate, including 13 mammals, 10 fish, 2 crustaceans, 130 bird species, 11 frogs, 22 reptiles, and 166 plant species. Many of these, like the Stripe-faced Dunnart, find shelter in the clay soil cracks.
Whether you’re a birdwatcher, a bushwalker, or exploring with the kids, Iningai Nature Reserve provides a tranquil escape where nature takes center stage, offering an opportunity to reconnect with the land and experience the beauty of the outback firsthand.