does anyone have suggestions for which route to take, places to camp, things to see or people to meet. We have 4 weeks to cover the distance so there is no rush. we have looked at the maps, consulted the book, and apps but there are so many options.
i thought we would ask the ones that know,
thanks.
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You can't get lost, if you don't care where you are going.
Poppy,
Are you aware that a big accident disrupted the highway south of Charleville? There should be some sort of acceptable detour in place, by now, I think, but that will take you around about a bit.
If you haven't visited Cunnumulla, the Riverside on Warrego Caravan Park, a few kms out of town to the west, is a lovely place to stay.
From Cunnamulla, you could come straight south to Bourke, where there is enough to do to occupy you for a few days, with a bit of R&R thrown in. Kidmans Camp CP at North Bourke is the pick of them.
If you like to take the long way - from Cunnamulla, you could go east to Mitchell, then St George, (Pelican CP nice) then via Dirranbandi and Hebel to Lightning Ridge - a great place to spend a few days with heaps to see. The Opal CP in the Ridge is well reviewed. We have stayed just out of town at Lorne Station, but that is more "basic".
From Lightning Ridge, maybe Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke.
From Bourke, south to Cobar. CP there is ok. Then Wilcannia. Can recommend the Warrawong on Darling CP a few kms east of Wilcannia. Great place to veg out for a few days - and to have a look at the once grand Wilcannia.
Then Broken Hill. Heaps to see in town and area. Broken Hill Tourist Park is good.
Last time we were through that way, the stayed a while near Menindee, at Copi Hollow. Very relaxing and pleasant on the Menindee Lakes system. I think there are some camp areas in the nearby National Park areas, but we had dog so no go for us. We went direct between Copi Hollow and Wilcannia, but I do Not know if you do dirt roads?
Broken Hill to Mildura area. Lots of choice of places to stay and things to do. We like the look of the CP at Buronga, just on the NSW side, with river frontage and will try that next time.
From Mildura to Renmark, maybe loop around then via Loxton to Waikerie - depending on what time left.
Quite a bit of the above is covered in my blogs. Did Mildura to Charleville in bus last year, so that is in bus one. Did the Lightning Ridge area in van in 2009, so that is in van one.
I would be checking with authorities about the road conditions around Charlieville. -I have heard that the roads are taking a thrashing because of the detours caused by the explosion-
I have also heard that the Authorities (Fire Service) are taking a real close look at that explosion and what caused it because it is not supposed to explode like that
Wendy covered it pretty well.
Don't let that explosion deter you, it's a main highway, the Warrego, a truckies route, will be open.
Good caravan park a few k's north of Bourke, on the darling, Cobar only has the one caravan park, but it's good, get in early and you might get a drive through. I'd phone ahead for that one and book in.
You can probably do a river boat ride at that caravan park, north of Bourke, it's a nice park, out of town and you can explore Bourke. As we do, visit the Info Centre, Fred Hollows is buried in the cemetery there.
If you have the Camps 7 book, you will see plenty of places to camp and yes, definitely stay at that nice new caravan park east of Wilcannia, no ferals roaming there, just lots of nice neighbours and a cheeky sticky beak emu. (we were there a week ago.)
We left Waikerie last Friday, now in Strathalbyn, so this info is up to date.
If you stay in Menindee you have to go back up to Broken Hill, BH only has two caravan parks that I know of, the best one is on the road out to Adelaide, but packed in like sardines.
On our trip last week we stayed at Wilcannia, and apart from a short shopping stop and refuel in BH we went on down to Wentworth.
Fuel was hard to find in BH, our NSW road atlas never showed petrol on the town map, but the Sth Aussie one did, found two near Foodworks, Carbide or something St, and another one on the way out to Wentworth.
Book ahead for the Wentworth caravan park, it's a beaut spot right on the Darling, where it meets the Murray, very popular spot. Nice town and a few sights to see.
The roads are fabulous, no worries there. We tow a Jayco pop top with a BF Falcon, cruised at 90 - 100 most of the way. Watch the goats, millions of them, dunno whether feral or farmed, but every colour you can imagine, although we never saw any blue ones or green ones. The babies were so cute.
One final tip, beware the confounded fruit fly checks, they will drive you to distraction.
We thought all good at BH and stocked up, supposed to dump it before entering Riverland at Wentworth, and upon entering SA at Yamba they searched the car and van, and had we not already known we would have lost all fruit and veg at Yamba.
Very frustrating, so don't get caught, just shop day by day until you reach Waikerie.
Apparently the rule is you do not take any fruit or veg across the border, and within the state you do not take ditto back into the restricted zone.
Oh, Loxton is a lovely town to stay in, the big 4 on the river, great spot, and not too dear, of all the river towns Loxton is my choice, they have a fabulous historic village.
Waikerie, the place of my birth, lovely town, the caravan park is very nice, but it's the only one, so book ahead, they are all drive throughs, and have a dump point. We spent three days there, a regular visit to see my brother.
Enjoy the big river, lots to see. Morgan is also a beaut old town to visit and has a good caravan park.
I could go on,
Bevan
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Bevan
Friendship is not a relationship with someone whom you've known for a long time, but with someone you trust, under any circumstances.
Wow, thanks for the great info are there any free camps you would suggest that we can for a while, as I said we have four weeks to do this. We will be visiting the I laws so I don't want to there took soon, ha ha ha.
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You can't get lost, if you don't care where you are going.
If you do go the roundabout route via Lightning Ridge, I believe there is a free camp place about 5kms out of town, on the road in. Others may know more about that.
Mays Bend at North Bourke has been mentioned in forum as a free camp area by Darling River. No facilities at all. Is small sign to it, from highway, or you can get mud map at the excellent Bourke Info Centre. Personally, I would not bush camp anywhere around Bourke.
There are several roadside rest areas between Cobar and Wilcannia. We had a break at the Meadow Glen one, about 60kms west of Cobar and commented that it would be a pleasant overnighter. Toilets, shelter with table, shade, a bit away from the road. There are other similar ones further west, I think.
Not aware of much in way of free camping around Broken Hill. Penrose Park, out at Silverton used to be a cheaper option than caravan parks in Broken Hill, but I have a (vague) idea that their fees have gone up. Someone else may know, or try google.
About half way between Broken Hill and Mildura is Popiltah Lake rest area. Toilet, large area, a bit off the road, bare earth mostly, could find some shade, maybe.
I believe there are some free camp spots around Mildura, by the river, such as Horseshoe Bend. These probably listed in Camps book.
Of the ones given above, for more than overnighters, Mays Bend at Bourke, Penrose Park subject to cost, and Mildura area camps are ones. Along the river, do not camp under red gums!
