Location of Menindee
From
Barraroo, 59.5kms SW (67.4kms, 2hrs 37mins driving)

From
Broken Hill, 101.91kms SE (111kms, 1hr 30mins driving)

From
Pooncarie, 111.45kms N (124kms, 1hr 35mins driving)

From
Wilcannia, 129.33kms SW (154kms, 1hr 59mins driving)
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Description of Menindee
Menindee is a town steeped in Legend and History for Indigenous and European culture. The area was known to the Barkindji people as 'Minandichee', and it is believed this is how the name originated.
The explorer Major Thomas Mitchell followed the Bogan and Darling Rivers down to this area in 1835 and came across the naturally formed Lakes which he named 'Laidley's Chain of Ponds', the Barkindji people referred to these as 'Wontanella' meaning 'Many Waters'.
A decade later, explorer Charles Sturt travelled up the Darling from
Wentworth though Menindee en-route to the North West.
With the coming of the pastoralist and the opening up of the land meant a violent time of conflict with the Barkindji who were subsequently decimated by European disease, driven from their traditional lands and forced into government missions. This era saw two horrific massacres of the traditional owners; one via poisoning of Leasehold stipulated provision for the Barkindji people with arsenic by leaseholders and the straight-out slaughter of a tribe on the banks of Boolaboolka Lake.
In 1852, Tom Pain and his family arrived in Menindee and opened up the Menindee Hotel in 1953 and with this and the ability to supply provisions, the town established itself as Darling River Port in light of Captain Francis
Cadell, accredited with opening up the Darling, establishing a store next to the Hotel in 1856.
Australia's most famous explorers Burke and Wills passed through Menindee for their
Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria expedition. The expedition arrived at Menindee on October 14 1860, and made camp at Kinchenga Station after crossing the Darling River. A depot camp for the expedition was established at the Pamamaroo Creek (a sign and cairn mark the site of the camp). Upon their departure, Burke and Wills carved an arrow in the door post of the hotel to indicate the expedition's direction.
River boat trade continued to develop the area and plans for a weir to control the flow of the river and level of the lakes to ensure river traded were shelved in the 1890's and by the time the rail head reached the area in the 1920's the future of the river as a transport route were doomed.
The idea to control the flow of the river came to fruition in 1949 and completed in 1960 allowing for some retention of water in the naturally formed lakes to maintain some continuity for water supply and irrigation.
The Menindee Lakes originally comprised 9 natural ephemeral lakes covering an area of 453 km2 As a result of the weir, there are 4 major lakes Wetherell (including Lake Tandure), Pamamaroo (connected by a small lake called
Copi Hollow), Menindee, and Cawndilla.
For the traveller, there is great
fishing on the lakes, the magnificent
Kinchega National Park, bird watching on the lakes, Lake Pamamaroo and Main Weir,
Copi Hollow, Menindee War Memorials, The 1872 wreck of the paddle-steamer 'Providence', The self-guided heritage walk around Menindee.
"There was Harrison, who made his pile when Pardon won the cup...." so penned Banjo Paterson in the immortal poem 'The Man from Snowy River'. The 'Cup' actually refers to the Presidents Cup at Menindee and not the
Melbourne Cup as many people have assumed.
Text courtesy of
Outback NSW Tourism
Images of Menindee
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Weather & Climate for Menindee
Closest Weather Station
Menindee at 09:00 21 Nov EDT
Distance from Menindee 0.13km SW
| Temperature | Feels Like | Rel. Humidity | Dew Point | Pressure | Rainfall | Wind Direction | Wind Speed | Gusts |
| 23.5°C |
26.6°C |
82% |
20.3°C |
-hPa |
Tracemm |
SSW |
4km/h 2knots |
-km/h -knots |
Closest Climatic Station
Menindee Post Office
Distance from Menindee 0.13km SW
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Mean Max. °C |
34.3 | 33.8 | 30.7 | 25.6 |
20.7 | 17.3 | 17.0 | 19.2 |
22.8 | 26.5 | 29.9 | 32.9 |
| Mean Min. °C |
18.4 | 18.1 | 15.1 | 10.8 |
7.4 | 4.9 | 4.0 | 5.2 |
8.0 | 11.3 | 14.5 | 16.8 |
| Mean Rain mm |
23.2 | 20.9 | 17.4 | 16.3 |
23.2 | 21.5 | 18.2 | 18.3 |
18.7 | 23.0 | 20.0 | 22.0 |
What Others Say about Menindee
Treks passing Menindee
Darling River Run
Set within the heart of outback NSW, the Darling River Run is a fascinating trek that takes you back through time. This route follows the meandering Darling River, between the historic town of Bourke and the town of Wentworth, where the Darling greets the Murray River.
[Feature Story]
Recommended Reading for Menindee
NSW South Topo DVD
The ultimate 4WD, bushwalking, hunting & outdoor companion. NSW Topo includes a comprehensive selection of full color 3D maps and map data. Compatible with a PC, Pocket PC or WM Smartphone. Chances are you'll never need to buy another bush map of anywhere in Australia again.
NSW Topo DVD
The ultimate 4WD, bushwalking, hunting & outdoor companion. NSW Topo includes a comprehensive selection of full color 3D maps and map data. Compatible with a PC, Pocket PC or WM Smartphone. Chances are you'll never need to buy another bush map of anywhere in Australia again.
Natmap Digital Maps 2008
NATMAP Digital Maps 2008 is the next generation of Geoscience Australia's popular NATMAP Raster 1:250 000 scale topographic digital maps.
NATMAP Digital Maps 2008 are exact digital copies of Geoscience Australia's NATMAP topographic maps. They cover the whole of Australia at 1:250 000 scale, and are current to 2006.
SI5403 Menindee
This 1:250K topographic paper map covers an area about 150km from east to west and 110km from north to south (1.5 degrees longitude by 1 degree latitude). The map contains natural and constructed features including road and rail infrastructure, vegetation, hydrography, contours (interval 50m), localities and some administrative boundaries.
Australia Aus Tour DVD
A must have for the long distance explorer. Here, Memory-Map teams up with Hema to bring you their acclaimed 4WD and regional maps together with 13 interactive Map Guides.The Map-Guides provide great information on each region, bushwalking, campsites and 4x4 tracks with text and photos.
Sydney to Adelaide City Map
This map highlights major routes between the cities, as well as numerous alternate connecting highways. Major routes covered include the Mitchell, Barrier, Hume, Sturt, Mallee and Mid Western highways. As well as points of interest being highlighted on the map, there's a handy list of contact numbers for further information.
Great Desert Tracks of Australia Map Pack
This map pack includes the six Great Desert Tracks Maps, together with the Simpson Desert map, all packaged in a hard-cover folder with clear pockets.
This map pack is designed to offer an additional benefit to the constant map user by providing better value than buying the maps individually.
Outback New South Wales
The Outback New South Wales Map features the most detailed combination of road pattern and distances ever produced for the area. The back of the map lists details on what to see, where to go, and what to do when you get there. This edition now also contains a GPS grid showing camping areas and tourist information.
Important Notes
 | Whilst indicating location of water supplies, ExplorOz makes no recommendation with regard to the quality of water for drinking purposes. We strongly recommend that when travelling you take ample supplies of water from reliable drinking water sources. |