Darling River without 4WD

Submitted: Monday, Sep 08, 2003 at 17:24
ThreadID: 7107 Views:1445 Replies:7 FollowUps:0
This Thread has been Archived
Can the Darling River Run be done from Bourke to Broken Hill in a petrol Camper without 4WD? Most of the rest of our 2-month trip will be on sealed or main roads and I am looking to trade outback ability for space and comfort.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member -BJ (Sydney) - Monday, Sep 08, 2003 at 18:33

Monday, Sep 08, 2003 at 18:33
You should be ok as long as it do'snt rain.Regards Bob
Where to next
AnswerID: 30479

Reply By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Monday, Sep 08, 2003 at 18:50

Monday, Sep 08, 2003 at 18:50
We done the Darling River run three months ago from Menindee to Wilcania then onto Bourke on the Eastern side(lower).The roads were just opening again after being closed due to rain and only had to engage 4WD once just out of Menindee,up the road 100 odd kms it was the driest country i had ever seen.We were planning on finnishing the run(Broken Hill-Menindee-Mildura)on our way back 3 weeks ago but struck rain again and all roads in this region were closed again.So yeah as already stated , if you strike the weather right no worries.Very nice along the Darling with beautiful camping spots .
AnswerID: 30483

Reply By: Vince - Tuesday, Sep 09, 2003 at 11:16

Tuesday, Sep 09, 2003 at 11:16
The run from bourke to Wilcannia is fine in the dry. If it rains the roads will be closed pretty dam quick. Did the trip in July and with 5mm of rain it was very stickey.
AnswerID: 30560

Reply By: Ross - Tuesday, Sep 09, 2003 at 14:14

Tuesday, Sep 09, 2003 at 14:14
OK in the dry. Roads are closed by local council when it is wet anyway.

Biggest rule is to avoid speeding then you don't lose it and you will not blow tyres
AnswerID: 30575

Reply By: Member - Roger - Tuesday, Sep 09, 2003 at 19:42

Tuesday, Sep 09, 2003 at 19:42
I often visit these roads and as others have said it is ok when the roads are dry and most of the time the roads are not too rough, but avoid them like the plague if it rains as the local councils close the roads and its $1000 per wheel fine and they count all tyres as wheels. So if you are caught on the road when it starts to rain just pull off and have a spell. It usually only takes 24hrs to dry out enough to go again.
RegardsDodg
AnswerID: 30607

Reply By: Sapper - Wednesday, Sep 10, 2003 at 19:18

Wednesday, Sep 10, 2003 at 19:18
In the 1972 to 75 I lived in Broken Hill. Used to do that run in the HK Monaro standing on my head. Only time it got sticky was 1974, the greatest rain in living memory. Used a Series 2A Landrover. Never got into Low Range. Every thing must have gone down hill since then.
AnswerID: 30709

Reply By: langej - Monday, Sep 22, 2003 at 21:28

Monday, Sep 22, 2003 at 21:28
Many, many thanks for the helpful advice from Nick, Roger, Sapper, Ross, Vince and BJ.

It is heartening to know that Oz still believes in helping total strangers, even when they are ignorant newbies. Your consensus was that its a goer if it doesn't rain.

As we plan to make to Run in February, we hope rain won't be a problem - as I recall it's usually drought and fire bans about that time of the year.

James Lange

AnswerID: 31712

Sponsored Links