Darling River Run Feedback

Submitted: Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 at 17:45

ThreadID: 73089 Views:4379 Replies:3 FollowUps:5

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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,

Darling River Run

Section: Treks

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

Member - Michael S (ACT)

Just did a trip along the Darling River first week in October. Started in Bourke and had first night at Kallara Station. Visited the shearing shed where we met the owner and watched the shearing. Very helpful and friendly people who explained the different classes of wool and let us watch the shearing in action. Had dinner at the Tilpa Pub - watch the wildlife driving back to the farm after dark. Many close calls. Drove the next day through Wilcannia where the price difference in the fuel between BP in the backstreet and the Shell on the main road was 15 cents a litre. Very helpful lady at the BP. Gave us maps and explained places of interest further south. You don't want to stay in Wilcannia. Went through Menindee and was amazed at the dry lake beds. Stayed the next two nights at Bindara Station where Bill and Barb were perfect hosts and we had two great nights in the Jillaroos Quarters with great company around the campfire. Had a side trip day in Broken Hill and got smothered by the dust storm so didn't see much of Silverton. Drove to Mungo National Park through Pooncarrie where we met John who owns the Pooncarrie Old Wharf Site Gallery and Cafe (off the main road). Recommend a stop for some pleasant company and a few laughs. Planned to spend the next two nights at Mungo Lodge but it began to rain on the second day and we departed at 1.00pm in full 4WD driving though "grease" to get out to get sealed roads. Farm stays are the way to go. We were thinking of taking our dirt-road 20ft van but decided to do the farm stays.Kallara Station, Tilpa, Menindee and Bindara are fabulous places.Mungo Lodge was expensive but we decided to splurge and Jacques and Caroline were excellent managers. Fabulous trip and recommend it for first time 4WDers.

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Reply By: Member - Cram (Newcastle NSW) - Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 at 18:35

Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 at 18:35

How was the water? We were out there this time last year and the water was average, but people we went with just got back and showed us a picture of the river at Tolarno Station and it was a lot lower then last year.

AnswerID: 387505

Follow Up By: Member - Michael S (ACT) - Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 at 22:12

Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 at 22:12

River was very low all the way along. At Louth, it was so low you would think you could walk across. Very muddy too. When shaving a shower at the farm stays it seemed you were sahowering in mud.

FollowupID: 655042

Reply By: Member - Jack - Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 at 20:07

Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 at 20:07

Hi Michael:
We did the same trip, a week earlier it seems. We left Cessnock the morning of the dust storm, venturing out from here to see what the visibility was like further out. We were able to continue on.
We opted for Nat Parks this trip. First night was at Warrumbungles, then on to Bourke where we stayed at the Gunbabooka NP. Nice there, but no water.
Then to Wilcannia, and you are right - you don't stay there, although I found it a little less threatening than my visit about 3 years ago. We did not see the BP servo, so probably got it in the neck on fuel. We stayed at the Paroo-Darling NP, which was good and right on the river. Then on to Menindee and the Kinchega NP, again on the river. We love it there and stayed two nights.
We headed from there out along the Old Pooncarie Road down to Pooncarie which pretty much follows the river. You are right about the Pooncarie Cafe. Lovely, friendly and amusing folk in there, and he knows how to cook up a good steak sandwich (with the lot). We dodged Mungo, as I went there last year and have to admit was very disappointed with it.
Next, and last Darling River stop was Wentworth to close out the trip before heading back via Hay/Nyngan to avoid the holiday crowds and chaos on the various highways and freeways. A terrific trip.
Next time we will look at Farmstays, but this trip was always going to be Nat Parks. Glad you enjoyed your trip. We enjoyed ours.
Jack

The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

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AnswerID: 387516

Follow Up By: Member - Michael S (ACT) - Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 at 22:19

Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 at 22:19

Next time we do this we'll take the van. Found a nice place about 60km north on Wilcannia on the east side of the river called Wilga Campground. Right on the river but unfortunately didn't allow campfires - State Park I think. Would have liked to free camp in some places we came across or even in the National parks, but took the easy way out not knowing the state of the road and this being our first journey into the outback country from the big city. Landcruiser had only ever been used as a tow car since we bought it 3 years ago . It was amazing just how gorgeous "nothing" is out there. Came back with half of Mungo National Park under the car. Warrumbungles is magnificent. Dark as a black hole at night in the campground.

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Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 06:57

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 06:57

I *think* the Wilga campground is part of the Paroo-Darling NP. We stayed there, and very much enjoyed it. Lots of roos and emus, a good view of the river, had tank water and good loos.

Julie's notes refer to Wilga, whereas I referred to it as the NP. Shall ask her when she gets up : )

We got there just as a second dust storm was approaching, but luckily it was not as bad as the first one.

Jack

The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

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Follow Up By: Member - A J- Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 12:29

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 12:29

Michael S (ACT) We camped at Wilga last year which was very good. It is a part of the Paroo-Darling National Park - water looks deep and should be good fishing there.

This year in late July we camped at Wilcannia on the river with no problems at all. Directed by the locals to the stock reserve, we travelled about 2 kms north of the town and camped on the river. There were three couples in three vehicles in the group with two couples sleeping on the back of their tabletops. No problems at all - other people were camped there also. Some good fish were caught there that night and released as we moved on the next day.

In respect to the camping ground in the Warrumbungles the camp ground is dark because of the telescopes at Siding Spring. They say that the light of Dubbo effect the telescopes. If you want a well lit camp ground you cannot have the telescopes.

A J

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Reply By: Member - Bob C (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 16:59

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 16:59

Hi Michael
We did the run a couple of weeks before you and ended up staying at Willcannia caravan park. I would have no hesitation staying there again,nice grassed sites good clean amenities block,and resident caretaker on site.While we never went back over the bridge to fraternise with the locals we found it a very pleasant spot.Quiet agree with you about the lady at BP depot she couldnt do enough for us.I do feel that the towns out that way are realising the importance of the tourist dollar.We had a very pleasant trip and enjoyed every minute of it
Happy Travelling Bob

AnswerID: 387595

Follow Up By: Member - Michael S (ACT) - Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 20:52

Sunday, Oct 18, 2009 at 20:52

Be interested in staying at some of the places on the way along the river in the caravan wne we do that next time. Some really nice quiet places but Wilcannia isn't a place that I'd like to stay or even camp near. Buildings all boarded up and not a nice looking town. I wanted to get some cash from an ATM and the lady at the BP said there isn't any. Security seems to be the problem for these. No banks either. Only place she suggested was the Post Office but she didn't know if they gave cash. As it turned out we had enough to see us through that day and on to Broken Hill.

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