NSW Outback Lightning Ridge Warrumbungles Mungo Bourke Darling River Sydney to Broken Hill 8 Days

8 Day NSW Outback Lightning Ridge Bourke Broken Hill Mungo Silo Art

Explore the Far West of NSW with Silo Art, Mungo National Park, Gundabooka Rock Art, Mootwingee NP option, Broken Hill, Darling River Run from Wilcannia to Bourke with a visit to White Cliffs opals fields, Bourke river cruise, Lightning Ridge, Brewarrina Sydney to Broken Hill timed with rail return option. 8 days

Our tours are small group adventures for people who love to connect with regional Australia and particularly regional and outback New South Wales. Our small group tours travel in Land Cruiser vehicles

Highlights

• Sydney to Mungo & Gundabooka National Parks & Aboriginal rock art,  Broken Hill, Bourke, Lightning Ridge
• Return by Rail from Broken Hill or on to Innaminka and the Burke & Wills Dig Tree, Cameron Corner or Wilpena Pound & Lake Eyre
  
• Blue Mountains & Three Sisters
  
• Portland Silo Art
• Mungo National Park & China Walls sunset tour
• Menindee – Lakes & Burke & Wills Campsite
  
• Broken Hill & Silverton - Pro Hart Gallery, mine tour, history, Mining & railway museums
• Return optional tours - Meets rail to Sydney or Adelaide
• White Cliffs Opal fields
• Darling River Run via Pooncarie, Menindee Lakes, Wilcannia Tilpa & Louth
• Gundabooka National Park & Aboriginal rock art
• Bourke - river cruise and history
• Brewarrinna - ancient fish traps 40,000 years old
• Siding Springs Telescope
  
• Warrumbungle Ranges NP
• Optional day tour to Mutawintji National Park for exceptional rock art rich in Aboriginal history.

Day 1 —- SYDNEY, MUDGEE GULGONG, COONABARABRAN

Depart Sydney via Bells Line of Road, via Mt Tomah with spectacular views of the Grose Valley, and look at the Zig Zag Railway at Clarence. From Lithgow we are now a short drive to Mudgee where we'll taste some local wines and have lunch in a vineyard. BL

Check out Poets Corner, on the way to Gulgong - the town that was on the $10 note. This small village from the gold rush days is a delight to take in the regional history and historic buildings. We travel via Dunedoo, known for its poetry, hospitality, and name, then check out the murals of Mendooran before overnight Coonabarabran LD

Day 2 — Warrumbungle Bushwalk, Macquarie Marshes,

The Warrumbungles are calling and we take an approximate 1 hour walk with views of the spectacular breadknife from Camp Blackman. Burbie Canyon walking track is a gentle 2km stroll through a sandstone gorge and is particularly popular for birdwatching. On return we have a tour of Siding Springs Observatory, home to Australia’s largest optical telescope.

Heading west now via silo art in Coonamble then to Macquarie Marshes a UNESCO registered site of outstanding value as one of the most important wetland areas in the world. It is one of the most crucial breeding sites for waterbirds in Australia, with 77 species, along with over 150 other birds, as well as fish, turtles, frogs, snakes and mammals. Travel on via Walgett, and visit the local museum with its wool industry heritage, then to Lightning Ridge for an afternoon experience of the Chambers of the Black Hand Opal Mine Art Carving Tour and a tour of the region and opal traders in this fascinating outback town. Overnight Lightning Ridge  Meals: BLD

Day 3 - Lightning Ridge, Brewarrina fish traps, Bourke

Discover more of Lightning Ridge, check out the opal dealers and famous bore baths. We head for Brewarrina on the Barwon River, and the 40,000-year-old Aboriginal Fish Traps - still working. The Brewarrina fish traps are one of the oldest man-made structures on earth. This elaborate network of rock weirs and pools stretches for around half a kilometre along the riverbed and was built by ancient tribes, to catch fish as they swam upstream. Overnight Bourke. Meals: BLD

Day 4— BOURKE, Cruise on The Darling On The Jandra paddleboat, Gundabooka National Park

The impressive ‘Back O’Bourke’ centre showcases the early days of Bourke and beyond. Discover the ‘Outback’ life of Henry Lawson, the search for an inland sea. Marvel at the stories of the ‘women of the west’ including Nancy Bird Walton, who flew an air ambulance here in the 1930’s. Stop by the 110 year old Morrall’s bakery for a pie or pastry, follow the Heritage Trail through town, or visit the grave of Fred Hollows. Cruise along the Darling on the Jandra, an historic paddle boat to recall the river boat history. In recent years Bourke has undergone a remarkable revitalisation and is now a shining light in positive indigenous opportunities. Take a cultural walk to learn about the history of Aboriginal people in Bourke and the personal connection formed with the land and it’s richness. Now to Gundabooka National Park which surrounds Mt Gundabooka and has unique Aboriginal Rock art to explore, including a pleasant and easy walk through this isolated National Park.Overnight Bourke. Meals: BLD

Day 5 — Darling River Run to White Cliffs

From here to the Darling River Run to Wilcannia, once a bustling port for the wool-laden paddle steamers, now with its beautiful and historic sandstone public architecture. Follow the Darling River Run down stream via river towns of Louth & Tilpa - with a cuppa and tour at the famous Dunlop Station if operating. Dunlop Station is an historic sheep station property located on the Darling River. Once a million acres it has a 45 stand shearing shed which was the first shed to have mechanical shears. with the check out the paddle boat and big wool and sheep station history of this region. Travel to White Cliffs and explore the opal mines history, and maybe find some local opal bargains. overnight White Cliffs. BLD

Day 6 -  White Cliffs, Burke & Wills camp, Kinchega National Park, Mungo National Park, Wilcannia, Menindee Lakes

Explore White Cliffs opal fields and maybe pick up a few bargains from the numerous opal dealers in town. We then head for Wilcannia and Menindee Lakes via the 2nd leg of the Darling River Run to Menindee. Explore the memorial to Burke & Wills camp on the lakeshore and a haven for wetland birds. We visit the picturesque lakes and the grand and restored Kinchega  Woolshed in Kinchega National Park with beautiful sweeping river bends. We follow the river further south to Pooncarie and Mungo National Park. Optional Sunset tour overlooking the Mungo lunar landscape Overnight Mungo Lodge, Mungo National Park. Meals: BLD

Day 7 - Mungo National Park, Broken Hill 

Explore Mungo National Park including the Walls of China and this ancient lakebed that was home to megafauna of the area. Learn of Mungo man and Mungo Woman, known as the oldest known ritual burial in the world. We travel the Mungo circuit to explore the ancient Willandra Lakes and the historic sheep station and large and impressive shearing shed that served the area for around 100 years. After lunch, we travel to Broken Hill for a view from The Line of Lode Lookout and Miners Memorial above Broken Hill, before dinner at the famous & delicious Mario’s Palace Hotel (full of murals from Priscilla Queen of the Desert fame) Overnight Broken Hill. Meals: BL Dinner own purchase at Mario's Palace Hotel restaurant.

Day 8 – Broken Hill highlights

Tour completes after breakfast with hotel checkout at 10am. Join a Lake Eyre Tour with flights or free time to explore Broken Hill highlights (your choice) including Pro Hart Gallery, plus Desert Sculptures or extra cost for an optional tour to Mutawintji National Park for exceptional rock art rich in Aboriginal history. Meals: B

Train to Sydney departs weekly on Tuesday or daily flights or coach services to capital cities

This tour often Links with our Cameron Corner Country tour on to Innaminka and the Burke & Wills Dig Tree, Cameron Corner or Wilpena Pound & Lake Eyre.

Inclusions –

• 7 nights Motel Accommodation - twin share or single supplement available - see booking link details
  
• Genuine small group tour vehicle - usually 2-4 people in 4WD GXL Landcruisers
• Professional Driver Guide
• All meals
• Jandra Paddleboat cruise at Bourke
• Wild wildlife!!
• National Parks entry fees.
  
• Tour price supports Outback Kids & Nature Care projects.

• BOOK HERE Or Call 0417 244 600 or 1300 763 188

Note video on this page may show some locations from 12 day tour not included in this tour