Menindee to Bourke - road /camping conditions

G'day malglo

Some of the Trip Reports on the www.campertrailers.org site may be useful to you. A couple have been written by a wannabe trip report writer that we know well.

Cheers
John G

I have a very comprehensive map titled 'Darling River Run by car' supplied by Tourisim NSW. ( Link I have driven Wentworth - Pooncarie, Wentworth - Broken Hill, Menindee - Wilcannia.
Wentworth to Pooncarie is bitumen
Wentworth to Broken Hill is bitumen all the way
Menindee to Wilcannia is a mixture of graded dirt (clay - atrocious when wet) very stony in places but probably traversable by car with reasonable ground clearance.
Access to the river is generally very limited. In most places it would require entry through private property.
The journey from Wentworth to Bourke is promoted by Tourism NSW as achievable by car so unless really bad weather is encountered it shouldn't be too much of a challenge.
The section Bourke - Louth - Tilpa is best travelled on the eastern side of the river if rain is threatening as it is closer to sealed roads to get out of the area.
The trip is promoted as an outback experience and they encourage side trips to various towns, parks and other local features.

Many people will have varying opinions regarding safety/security of camping/overnighting in the vicinity of some towns along the Darling. Wilcannia has a colourful reputation and the majority of businesses in town have mesh or shutters over all windows for security reasons.

Like all free camping advice, get well off the main roads away from close proximity to towns, settlements, reserves, etc. This applies to practically anywhere though not just along the Darling.

If you are not in a hurry and can take your time, I'm sure that it will be very enjoyable and relaxing for you.

If you gett the info DIO talks about it contains a lot of contact numbers for the properties along the river. A number of these will allow you to camp for a small fee.

There are also a number of farmstays along the way. Near Tilpa is one called Killara run by the McLure family. It is very nice, has cabin style accomodation and camping along the river. Further up the river near Louth is Trilby Station it too has excellent facilities offering lusury accomodation, cabins, shearers quarters and camping.

There are also camping facilities available in the National Park on the east side of the river near Tilpa.

The road itself is generally OK but the west side north of Wilcannia is pretty stony and can cause tryre damage if you are not careful. Like all outback roads the condition varies depending on how long it is since it has seen a grader.

We took 3 days to get from Bourke down to Wilcannia and had a ball along the way. Take your time and talk to the locals they will tell you about so many things to see and do that the travel info just does not cover. A must do is the gravestone at sunset in Louth. Ask at Shindy's Inn and they will point it out to you.

Duncs

Can't comment on the Menindee-Wilcannia section, but I've driven the Menindee-Pooncarie and Wilcannia-Louth-Tilpa sections in a VW Kombi about 10 years ago. No problem. I'd plan that night somewhere north of Wilcannia - can't remember any specific locations to recommend. I seem to remember an interesting pet cemetery there somewhere.

I documented a lot of this route (Wilcannia to Bourke bit of it anyways) and it is with ExplorOz still, from what I recall, awaiting formal publishing ... it's been a while.

You can go up either side of the darling and it is a wonderful drive.

Numerous places - National Parks with campsites, private campsites, and then lots of places where you can bush camp.

Great country - if you have any specific questions, let me know.

The Western road is probably the easiest for a van, but the Eastern side is not too hard and is probably more scenic and nearer the river.

Perhaps in Wilcannia itself or Bourke itself, you might want to watch the locals, but out in the bush, they are rarely seen.

There is a National Parks campsite at Wilga - with Toilets, BBQ 31.456227 S 143.826620 E which is a lovely spot, except perhaps the weeds/burrs - hopefully they've sprayed them.

Cheers
Andrew.

There are plenty of campsites along the river in the Kinchega National Park near Menindee. Fees apply. Free camping around Lake Pamarmaroo and the main weir about 10 Kms out of Menindee northside.

I would go the east road from Menindee to Wilcannia, it's usually in better condition, but ask at Menindee. That road goes near the main weir on Lake Weatherall.

A lot of roads around there have been closed recently because of the rain.
AFIK they are open now, but how rutted they are, I don't know, that's why asking at Menindee is the go.

Dave