Campsites between Bourke & Willcannia

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 07:19

ThreadID: 75696 Views:4282 Replies:6 FollowUps:7

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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 - Mike

Hi All
Hope to travel down the Darling River mid February subject to road conditions.
Would like to know of any campsites both free & chargeable down the Darling.
Thanks in advance for any replies
Cheers 4 now
Mike

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Reply By: furph - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 07:50

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 07:50

The booklet "Darling River Run" (ad. next to your post) is an excellent publication, free from the TI in Bourke.

From it, as well as camping all the way to Wilcannia, we also camped at very peaceful river locations north of Bourke right on the river edge.
Your only problem in Feb. could be that much of the country could be still inundated or too wet to traverse.

When you are stuck in that black soil you are STUCK!
Happy travelling. furph

AnswerID: 402207

Reply By: Member - John G- Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 08:20

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 08:20

G'day Mike

We have stayed at Idalia Station south of Louth. It was in 2006, but facilities were excellent and camping is right on the river. What a great time to be there with the Darling flowing.

Trilby Station, closer to Louth is also well spoken of. It's a bigger operation than Idalia, and the families are closely related.

Both have websites.

Cheers
John

AnswerID: 402210

Follow Up By: Member - Graham S1 (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 14:19

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 14:19

Mike

I can second John's recommendation for Idalia Station. We stopped there in March 2009. As John says the facilities are excellent & the owners very friendly & knowledgeable.

Graham

FollowupID: 671732

Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 08:34

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 08:34

Mike

I don't like your chances right now.

The road between Bourke and Louth is closed due to flooding. You may be able to access Louth via the road going west out from Bourke.

There is camping at Gundabooka National Park along the way (away from the river though).

There is a free campsite at Tilpa on the eastern side of the river and commercial campsites along the way between Louth and Wilcannia.

Cheers

AnswerID: 402212

Follow Up By: Madfisher - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 20:53

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 20:53

Gee I hope you have your raincoat Willem, looks like a bucketfull coming your way.
Might need 4wd to get out the front gate lol
Cheers Pete

FollowupID: 671820

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 07:24

Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 07:24

G'day Pete

1mm so far....I wouldn't hold my breath....rain forecast is just what it states....a forecast...:-)

Cheers

FollowupID: 671881

Reply By: Member - A J- Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 09:26

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 09:26

Mike - in 2008 camped in Paroo Darling National park it has a section which includes Wilga station on the eastern side of the Darling between Wilcannia and Tilpa.

Great spot - long drop toilets - barbecues - and the fishing is good - it is on a deep water hole but banks are not too steep. You will pass the ranger station before you get to the camping ground.

A J

AnswerID: 402222

Reply By: Rangiephil - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 10:03

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 10:03

Ther es a rrelatively new National park Campground called "Coach and Horses" about 40Km North of Wilcannia on the eastern side of the Darling.

http://www.exploroz.com/Places/78661/NSW/Coach_and_Horses_camping_ground_Darling_River_Run.aspx
thye have a gas barbeque and fires are not allowed. when we were ther e the composting toilet was a bit "ripe"
Regards Philip A

AnswerID: 402229

Reply By: Austravel - Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 19:29

Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 19:29

Hi Mike,

How'd you go on your trip was the road open? I hope to do a similar trip in the next couple of weeks.

Regards

AnswerID: 405235

Follow Up By: Member - Mike - Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 at 07:05

Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 at 07:05

Hi
Still cooling the heels at the moment as most of the roads / tracks between Bourke & Wilcannia are still closed due to flooding. They are expected some more rain this week - so it looks like mid March at the moment.
Regards
Mike

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Follow Up By: Austravel - Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 at 10:53

Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 at 10:53

Thanks Mike,

Looks like I won't be heading through there if that's the case. We hope to leave in two weeks for SA and planned to check out that area on the way.

What sites do you use for weather and road conditions in that area?

Thanks again.

FollowupID: 675260

Follow Up By: Member - Mike - Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010 at 09:17

Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010 at 09:17

Hi
I have been using this site http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/trafficreports/regionalnewsouthwales/western.html
Plus phone calls to Bourke Council & Bourke Police station
Hope this helps
Cheers 4 now
Mike

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Follow Up By: Austravel - Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010 at 11:04

Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010 at 11:04

Thanks Mike,

I thought about ringing the council when it gets closer, hopefully they can give me conditions throughout the area as you suggest might do the same with police. Will check out the link. While the rain is great it's a pity I'll have to bypass what looks like some great tracks. Always next time I guess.

Regards

FollowupID: 675452