Wentworth to Menindee via Pooncarie

Submitted: Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 07:12
ThreadID: 81801 Views:9184 Replies:7 FollowUps:3
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Hi All, wondering if anyone has recently done the trip Wentworth to Menidee via Pooncarie / Mungo National Park and can advise on road condition? Heading that way on tuesday / wednesday

thks Aaron
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Reply By: Baz&Pud (Tassie) - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 08:51

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 08:51
Aaron
Travelled the road three months ago, Wentworth to Pooncarie is sealed, Pooncarie to Mungo was alright with couple of bad spots, Pooncarie to Menindee was, well words can't describe it, it was a shocker.
Having said all of the above, with the time difference the conditions could be totally different.
Have a good trip, its a great area.
Cheers
Baz
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Reply By: rooster350 - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 09:44

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 09:44
The road from Pooncarie to Menindee is an absolute disgrace...it was the roughest road that I have ever seen ..let alone travelled on...and yes I know NSW has a lot of roads to look after but that road is just ridiculous...there should be signs warning people that it is/can be dangerous/damaging to at least 2 wheel drive vehicles...it was that way back in May when we traveled it and apparently has not changed...cheers
AnswerID: 432485

Reply By: Member - Glenda and Max C (QLD - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 09:52

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 09:52
Aaron
We did that trip about a month ago,towing a 24 ft 5th wheeler behind our Navara.After stopping at the Pooncarie Coffee shop,down near the river,we talked to a very helpful gent who sent us up the western road to Menindee.The road was OK but is subject to closure when wet.We stayed at Bindara Station on the way ,which was one of the highlights of our trip.
Max
AnswerID: 432487

Reply By: Member - Duncs - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 15:57

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 15:57
Aaron,

There are two roads from Wentworth to Menindee via Pooncarie.

Wentworth - Pooncarie east side is sealed.

Pooncarie - Menindee east side is usually badly corrugated and can have other damage. Unfortunately I have never seen it after rain but there are sections that would chop up badly if it was driven on wet.

It is the most used because it is much shorter and therefore quicker, so the locals who are not sight seeing use this side.

Both sections on the west side of the river are in my opinion the nicest drive. But they are slower. They carry very little traffic because they are windy and slow. But I really enjoy driving on the west side. No traffic, plenty to look at and ever so peaceful. But don't use this side of the river if you are in a hurry.

This side gets very little maintenance but you are travelling slow so the road conditions have less impact. The top end near Menindee is in the Kinchega National Park and does get corrugated but it is only about the last 15km.

Duncs
AnswerID: 432515

Follow Up By: bornfree - Monday, Nov 01, 2010 at 14:39

Monday, Nov 01, 2010 at 14:39
Hey Guys,

My family & I did this trip back in June - July. When we arrived in Pooncarie we had to wait @ the pub (bugga) due to unexpected heavy rain fall, we waited until the rain settled as most roads had been closed from Pooncarie upwards to Menindee.

We eventually found our camp site and set up camp for a couple of weeks. It was about 29th June that the roads had opened (still being cleared by council workers as we drove on). Yes they were damaged by rains but I reckon some of you blokes must have gone up in your Celica's cause in our Prado 120 with trailer and 2 motorbikes, packed with camping gear in toe, 3 kids & the misses we enjoyed the drive and honestly didnt find the journey that bad. After its not a sealed road so one would expect a few bumps and dips and not to forget the corrugations.. Overall, it was a brilliant trip and look forward to heading that way again.

We did Mungo Nat Park, Silverton mines & pub (a must go), we also found lots of interesting things @ Kinchega Nat Park in Menindee. There is so much to do heading that way.. we didnt even scratch the surface.. do go. When in Broken Hill we were so tempted to continue on to Camerons Corner, bugga we were pressed for time... just didnt wana come home.
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Reply By: Dinga16 - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 18:58

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 18:58
We come home that way last week (Friday), (2x 4Wd's)from Menindee to Pooncarie, The road is not in as bad condition as i was told.......I averaged 100k's + most of the time, There was a couple of sections of 2/3K's Long that i was down to 30k an hour due to corrugations. But all in all Pretty good we thought.
Only comment I could make is be careful of the grates when travelling at a decent speed quite a few are narrow and built up.
I have a couple of pics but i wouldnt have a clue how to upload them here.


Cheers
AnswerID: 432524

Reply By: Member - Aaron L (NSW) - Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 19:34

Saturday, Oct 09, 2010 at 19:34
Hi All, thanks for all the feedback and advice, as this we have some time up our sleeve may take the western side. Will talk to the publican and locals for a final decision when I get there. Really looking forward to this trip as the beginning of a longer trip into the Flinders and Lake Eyre :)
cheers Aaron
AnswerID: 432530

Reply By: rescue134 - Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 13:20

Sunday, Oct 10, 2010 at 13:20
back from there 2 days ago, old road from pooncarie (dirt) very good, better than some sealed roads. across mungo from pooncarie to homebush still good cond.
AnswerID: 432593

Follow Up By: Member - Aaron L (NSW) - Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 06:25

Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 06:25
Hi Rescue134, did you come down the east or west side from Menindee to Pooncarie. cheers Aaron
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FollowupID: 703441

Follow Up By: rescue134 - Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 15:01

Monday, Oct 11, 2010 at 15:01
Hi Aaron
we went down the west side very nice run
Kevin
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