Not Logged on
[Register] [Logon] 
Darling%2bRiver%2bRun
Click Image to Enlarge
Section Image Font Size AdjusterDecrease Font SizeIncrease Font Size  

Darling River Run

Difficulty: Trek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD AWD 
The Darling River is one of the outback's most famous rivers. Starting near Bourke in central NSW and draining into the Murray in Victoria the Darling River Run snakes itself through black soil farming country.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesBourke
Trek
FinishWilcannia
Distance334.4 kmMinimum Days2
Average Speed71.34 km/hrDriving Time4 hr 41 min
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 4 Mar 2008
Advertisement

 Description

Although this fabulous 4WD adventure really begins in Bourke, there are some great spots to visit along the way. If you're coming from Sydney you can drive to Dubbo in a day and then head into the Warrumbungle National Park for some great bush camping and walking.

From the Warrumbungles you can take the dirt exit track that pops out on the western fringe of the park. Continue heading northwest towards Coonamble and then north up the tarred Castlereagh Highway to Walgett. It's tarred road all the way through Brewarrina to Bourke but from Bourke onwards this trek hits 4WD territory.

An alternative route from Coonamble is to cross the Castlereagh Highway and continue heading west to Quambone. Continue west at the junction, crossing the Marthaguy River and through the Macquarie Marshes region. There's some good bush camps along here. There are quite a few tracks here that will lead north up to Brewarrina - all are usually dry, dusty flat cattle roads and you should be able to travel around 80 - 90km/hr.

Warning: if there has been any rain north of Bourke you must check road conditions as the small rivers here can easily flood and roads can become blocked and impassable even if there's no rain in the immediate area. The Barwon and the Bulloo Rivers are the major feeders.

 Interactive Route Map

BourkeLouthWinbarPaddys Creek BridgeCompodor Creek BridgeBudjewarra BendTankarookaMurteeBarradaleBarrier Highway and Darling River RunWilcannia
Bourke
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Position: 145.9380ºE   30.0894ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Louth
Distance: 98.42km
Average Speed: 85.87km/h
Louth
A 1 Pub 1 shop town . The camp ground is free but is about 8 k out of town on the Burke side There is a free camp on the northern side of the bridge with toilets and showers across from the road from the pub.
Features: Populated PlaceCamp Free Toilet Pub Cemetery,Grave Site
Position: 145.1154ºE   30.5339ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Winbar
Distance: 25.73km
Average Speed: 78.54km/h
Winbar
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Place Name
Position: 144.9409ºE   30.6523ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Paddys Creek Bridge
Distance: 4.15km
Average Speed: 66.07km/h
Paddys Creek Bridge
Paddy's creek bridge one of the bridge crossings on the Darling River Run.
Features: River Crossing
Position: 144.9095ºE   30.6796ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Compodor Creek Bridge
Distance: 19.12km
Average Speed: 87.76km/h
Compodor Creek Bridge
Compodor creek crossing on the Darling River run.
Features: River Crossing
Position: 144.7800ºE   30.7875ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Budjewarra Bend
Distance: 6.69km
Average Speed: 80.77km/h
Features: Place Name
Position: 144.7503ºE   30.8386ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Tankarooka
Distance: 55.81km
Average Speed: 79.71km/h
Tankarooka
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 144.3246ºE   31.0857ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Murtee
Distance: 108.26km
Average Speed: 80.44km/h
Murtee
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 143.4894ºE   31.5824ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Barradale
Distance: 3.49km
Average Speed: 38.16km/h
Barradale
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 143.4580ºE   31.5988ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Barrier Highway and Darling River Run
Distance: 6.33km
Average Speed: 58.04km/h
Barrier Highway and Darling River Run
Junction of the Barrier Highway and the Darling River Run trek turn off.
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 143.4053ºE   31.6112ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Wilcannia
Distance: 6.41km
Average Speed: 58.04km/h
Wilcannia
Wilcannia is a small town with a population of 688, located within the Central Darling Shire in north western New South Wales,
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Position: 143.3770ºE   31.5603ºS (GDA 94)

Route Control

Run Moving Map
Pause Moving Map
Pause

 Permits

Camping fees in National Parks along the way (Kinchega).

 Things to See & Do

Louth   
Populated Place Camp Free Toilet Pub Cemetery,Grave Site
A 1 Pub 1 shop town . The camp ground is free but is about 8 k out of town on the Burke side There is a free camp on the northern side of the bridge with toilets and showers across from the road from the pub. The facilities are free but the publican asks for a donation to the RFDS.
Following the mighty Darling River through historic pioneering country, the Darling River Run starts on dirt tracks south of Bourke with Louth the first settlement 99km along. At Louth, take the track to Tilpa, which runs along the western bank of the Darling River. There is another track that follows the eastern bank to Wilcannia but it does not provide riverside camps quite as closely as on the western side. This is a great area to launch your tinnie (aluminium fishing dingy) and it's possible to tow a caravan or camper trailer along these tracks. The river is full of yabbies so bring a yabby pot, some lamb neck or bloody meat for bait and enjoy!

The track continues along the river and then heads into the township of Wilcannia. Keep heading south along the river track (again there are tracks on both sides of the river). About 30km before reaching Menindee are some great camps in the red sand hills. South of Menindee in the Kinchega National Park are some perfect campsites, some even with beaches.

South of Kinchega National Park you can drive south to Mildura via the tiny settlement of Pooncarrie. The dirt track from Kinchega follows the western bank of the Darling through cattle farming country along the Old Pooncarrie Road before crossing the bridge into town where you turn right onto bitumen 122km north of Mildura or just 29km north of the turn-off to the fascinating Mungo National Park.

If you're making a round trip of it back to eastern NSW, then from Mungo, head north through strangely beautiful and remote farming country to Mossgiel, Hillston, Lake Cargelligo, Condobolin, Parkes, Orange, Bathurst and finally Sydney.

 Preparation

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolBourke, Wilcannia Diesel4cyl 52 litres * ULP4cyl 54 litres LPG4cyl 67 litres
6cyl 38 litres *6cyl 54 litres *6cyl 59 litres
8cyl 57 litres8cyl 55 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Cobar Mo
Distance from Trek Mid Point 132.51km SE
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 33.933.430.025.2 20.016.515.817.9 21.825.829.432.6
Mean Min. °C 20.420.117.112.9 9.16.15.06.2 9.012.615.718.7
Mean Rain mm 44.741.934.227.2 33.826.129.428.7 25.436.532.535.4
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Bourke, Louth, Wilcannia

 Camp Sites & Accomodation

Bourke   RatingRatingRating
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Louth   
Populated Place Camp Free Toilet Pub Cemetery,Grave Site
A 1 Pub 1 shop town . The camp ground is free but is about 8 k out of town on the Burke side There is a free camp on the northern side of the bridge with toilets and showers across from the road from the pub. The facilities are free but the publican asks for a donation to the RFDS.
Wilcannia   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Wilcannia is a small town with a population of 688, located within the Central Darling Shire in north western New South Wales,

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Bourke to Louth 98.42 km SW 238° 1 hr 8 min
Louth to Winbar 25.73 km SW 232° 19 min
Winbar to Paddys Creek Bridge 4.15 km SW 225° 3 min
Paddys Creek Bridge to Compodor Creek Bridge 19.12 km SW 226° 13 min
Compodor Creek Bridge to Budjewarra Bend 6.69 km SW 207° 4 min
Budjewarra Bend to Tankarooka 55.81 km SW 236° 42 min
Tankarooka to Murtee 108.26 km SW 235° 1 hr 20 min
Murtee to Barradale 3.49 km SW 239° 5 min
Barradale to Barrier Highway and Darling River Run 6.33 km W 255° 6 min
Barrier Highway and Darling River Run to Wilcannia 6.41 km NW 335° 6 min
Bourke to Wilcannia 334.4 km     4 hr 41 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

 Trek Feedback

If you wish to Send Feedback please Logon Now

What Others have Posted

Member - Ian W (NSW) : 24 Jun 08 10:22
Hi Folks, The Bride and I intend to do the Darling River Run - Bour...
Member - Magic (VIC) : 8 May 08 07:50
Hi there, We are planning to do this trip in September school hol...
phil : 21 Apr 08 15:09
Hi, I am thinking of doing the Darling River Run from Lightning R...

 Related Pages

Trek Search
ExplorOz Trek Notes are detailed, factual reviews of destinations in Australia to which you can plan a self-drive camping trip. This page will enable you to access over 100 of these trek notes, using various search methods and at a glance you can see what treks we have in each area across Australia. [Feature Story]
Bendethera Valley
Bendethera Valley is in the Deua National Park, 320km south west of Sydney and 100km south east of Canberra. Min. requirement is a 4WD with low range and adequate clearance
Barrington Tops
The magnificent Barrington Tops National Park boasts superb mountain top accommodation, excellent walking trails, suitable 2WD and 4WD routes and great camping spots.
Tallaganda National Park
The Tallaganda National Park/State Forest is 300km south west of Sydney and 50km south east of Canberra. The park has a large fluctuation in elevation and rainfall resulting in a variety of flora and fauna.
State Forests
North of the Barringtons is the Knorrit, Bulga, Doyles, Mt Boss, Kipara, Yessabah, Ingalba, Bowraville, Wedding Bells and Conglomerate State Forests enabling excellent 4WD and camping just inland from Taree to Grafton.

 Recommended Reading for Darling River Run

Item Image 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.
Item Image River Tracks - Exploring Australian Rivers
This book explores 5 of Australia's major rivers including the Goulburn River, Murray River, Murrumbidgee River, Darling River and Cooper Creek. The 6 tracks covered in this book are suitable for both 2WD and 4WD vehicles and include all you need to know for adventures along Australia's most magnigicent waterways.
Item Image Natmap Raster 2005: Premium - DVD
This new NATMAP Raster was released in April 2005. This is a 2 DVD set that contains all 1:250 000 scale NATMAP topographic maps covering Australia, published to December 2004.
$119.00 [Add to Cart]
Item Image New South Wales Handy Map
Hema’s State Handy Maps clearly show highways, minor and secondary roads, national and state routes and fully-indexed cities, towns and localities. Detailed road distances are also shown. All of the maps are double-sided and come in an easy-to-fold format.
Item Image New South Wales State Map
Great for travel planning, Hema’s State Maps clearly show highways, minor and secondary roads, national and state routes and fully-indexed cities, towns and localities as well as showing country campsites. Detailed road distances are also shown.
Item Image Best Bush Forestry
The Best Bush map lists hundreds of accessible recreational areas, as well as tips on the use of different areas. This information will help the reader camp, 4WD, canoe, picnic and explore the bush of NSW easily.
$5.95 [Add to Cart]Latest Edition
Item Image New South Wales
This double-sided road map of New South Wales features a complete map of the state on one side, with the other side showing Newcastle, Wollongong, the North Coast and the Southern Highlands. This easy to read fully indexed map features accomodation, places of interest, general inforamation plus more.
Item Image New South Wales (Polyart Paper)
This double-sided road map of New South Wales features a complete map of the state on one side, with the other side showing Newcastle, Wollongong, the North Coast and the Southern Highlands. This easy to read fully indexed map features accomodation, places of interest, general inforamation plus more.
Item Image Fishing and Camping Murrumbidgee River
Finding river access is often a problem along the Murrumbidgee. But with this guide you will find all the answers. Fishing and Camping Murrumbidgee River covers the section of river from Gundagai to Narrendera including Wantabadgery, Oura, Wagga Wagga, Currawarna and Galore.