Wilcannia to Bourke via Tilpa and Louth

Hi PandJ

If you are planning on doing in now, the simple answer is DO NOT!!

Lots of rain out that way and most roads are closed.

It could be up to a week before the roads are open, but if there is more rain it could be a lot longer.

Cheers

Stephen

Gday...
We just came from White Cliffs yesterday. The sealed road Willcannia to White Cliffs was still officially closed but Bunker Creek across the road was still about 10" deep and the creek was about 150metres wide. However, all the dirt roads around White Cliffs - and that would probably include most of where you are asking about - will be closed for the next couple of days - at least.
On Thursday night - 5am to 9am - 46mm fell in the area, with a further 15mm falling between 9am and 12noon.
The sides of the sealed road White Cliffs to Wilcannia were still flooded - whole paddocks under water for upto a km along the road in some places.
The Barrier Hwy Wilcannia to Cobar was open, but still some very slight areas of water across the Hwy. Again, the amount of water still flowing in the creeks along the way, and the amount of water laying in the paddocks on the sides of the hwy suggest the area is pretty damp throughout.
Others may have move specific 'dirt road' reports - but I would be pretty sure there are not many roads open at the moment in NW NSW.
Cheers
Julie & John

make sure that you check out Kallara Farm stay. specializing in organic sheep!
http://www.kallarastation.com.au/ just outside Tilpa. Awesome riverside stay. They gave us a map to tour around their property. Bought leg of organic lamb for $25.00 was enough to feed the 8 of us.
JS

I can confirm the Louth Bourke Road (Following the Darling River) is closed and will be for a while yet. The Louth Races are scheduled for 2 weeks time however the road will make or break that event so they are in no hurry to open the road prematurley only to have it destroyed prior to the races.
The next road update will be put out by Bourke council about 830am tomorrow.
Tim

I can't comment on current conditions as it is a long time since I was up that way.

What I can tell you is to make sure you check the condition of both roads, east and west of the river.

It is not uncommon for one to be open and the other closed. It works both ways and you may have to cross the river to keep manage the full trip. There are bridges at both Tilpa and Louth.

As for camping spots, there are plenty. Most of the land is leashold and you should get permission from the property managers before making camp but generally that is not too difficult. You can get a list of contact numbers for those who will allow camping from the Bourke or Broken Hill tourist information offices.

It is a really nice trip especially in spring or autumn. You don't say when you are planning to do the trip and conditions do change rapidly so continue to check conditions as your trip gets closer.

Duncs

According to the local Broken Hill paper yesterday.
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A family of 4 have been stranded on the Wilcannia- Bourke Rd since Thursday night, and police said that there was no way anyone could get there to rescue them due to the rain still falling.
Apparently they are pretty hungry, but at least there is plenty of water around according to the police.

They had driven through road closed signs which had been up for about 4 days.
They face a fine of $1000 per wheel including the spare according to the police.
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Dave

Thanks all looks like going the long way but that matter. Cheers P&J

For when it dries out, have a look at Site Link

PeterD