We're newbies at this - starting with a 4-week round trip from Sydney to Broken Hill in our Toyota sedan. (We're not ready for towing a van just yet (or maybe ever) so we're overnighting in motels and airbnbs).
I've booked our trip from Sydney to Broken Hill via Wagga Wagga & Mildura, but now planning our route back.
We're taking it slow and overnighting every 3-4 hour drive. We've booked Cobar on the way to a 3-night stay at Lightning Ridge.
Where would you stop for one night in between? We're looking for somewhere with a decent pub for dinner, and a bit to see in the afternoon of arrival.
Bourke? Nyngan? or Walgett? Or would you just give them all a miss and drive direct from Cobar to LR?
I have been all three but Nyngan would be the best in my opinion.
There is a great caravan park with heaps of cabins at the Riverside Caravan Park that is just before the Barrier Highway meets the Mitchell Highway at Nyngan, coming from Cobar. It is right on the Bogan River and is extremely safe. It is a nice walk down to the river with seating and a viewing area.
The RSL and Bowling Club do great meals and both have a courtesy bus that picks you up and drops you off at the park. The museum at the railway station is great to visit and run by local volunteers.
If you decide on the Nyngan option you might also like a little detour on the way to LR.
When you come to Nevertire and head into Warren, instead of going on to Gilgandra head towards Quambone. It is a sealed road and when you get there you can have a look at the marshes and have a bite to eat at the little pub. From there it is over to Coonamble and straight up the highway to Walgett and LR. Sealed roads all the way.
I LOVE Lightning Ridge. Ran into a wonderful Irish origin couple yesterday at Dubbo Salvo's buying a bag of books for $10.
They visited the Ridge 40 years ago and lived there ever since, mining next to Barclay's big open cut for 40 years.
Great people, very amusing as the Irish tend to be.
Said they "made a living" in that time.
Then dropped some stuff into some farm friends on the way home and they had the van packed for the Ridge. Envious.
I am going there in August and can't wait. It is one of the best places in Australia I reckon.
I cannot go there without visiting John Murray's art gallery, he is the best, great sense of humour.
