On our way down the 265km stretch of the Silver City Hwy from Broken Hill down to Wentworth we saw the new pipeline adjacent to the road that provides water from the Murray River to Broken Hill. The line runs beside the Western side of the road all the way. Broken Hills water supply used to come from the Menindee Lakes but it has become unreliable over the past few years. https://www.waternsw.com.au/projects/wentworth-to-broken-hill-pipeline/facts  We stayed 2 nights at Popiltah Rest Area approximately half way between the two towns. The country was incredibly dry, almost eerie with some sections looking like they were coated with white/grey volcanic eruption ash.

 Popiltah Rest Area

Water pipeline easement.

White dust landscape.

Golden Moon - Popiltah.

A further 130kms down the Silver City Hwy & we arrived in Wentworth at the junction of the Murray & Darling Rivers. After being in extremely dry habitat for the past 6 weeks it was a lovely sight to see a substantial stretch of water! Staying on the Northern (NSW) side of the river we travelled East towards Euston along the Sturt Hwy turning off 18kms past Buronga & after 2kms of dusty road we arrived at Bottle Bend Nature Conservation Park free camping area (24hr limit)right on the river. Bottle Bend is a very attractive area with extensive camping along & near the river, the wildlife/birdlife is great too.

 Murray River Bottle Bend.

Crested Pigeon.

Red-backed Kingfisher.

Our next destination was Yanga National Park near Balranald, we stayed at Mamanga campground on the Murrumbidgee River, it also has The Willows campground. There are no fees at both of them. The park used to be a large sheep station, we visited the historic Homestead, the large shearing shed & Lake Yanga which held a good amount of water. Consequently it held lots of aquatic birdlife for us to photograph.

Mamanga Campground Yanga National Park.

Yanga Woolshed.

Yanga Woolshed.

Yellow Rosella.

After 7 enjoyable weeks away it was time to start slowly meandering our way back home to Melbourne. We crossed the Murray River back into Victoria at Tooleybuc & then headed further South staying at the old timber town of Koondrook for 2 nights, a quiet alternative to many other popular tourist towns along the river. The caravan park is at the beginning of the redgum sculpture walking track along the river, over the bridge & into Barham. The old Arbuthnot saw-mill which is still functioning is along the way as well. Gunbower Island has some great drives/walks, over the river near Barham we went to Barham Lakes & Federation Botanic Gardens  

Arbuthnot Sawmill.

One of the many carvings along the river.

Gunbower Island stockyards.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, merry merry king of the bush is he!

Our final night of camping before arriving home was spent at Greens Lake which was very quiet, we chose site number 1 right beside the launching ramp.LOL.

Greens Lake Site 1

Thanks for reading/viewing. Thanks for your replies to our previous postings for this trip.

Regards Keith & Judy