NSW Outback Bourke Macquarie Marshes Silo Art Mungo National Park Sydney to Broken Hill 8 days

Explore the Far West of NSW with Silo Art,  Mungo National Park, Bourke, Brewarrina Start Sysdney finish Broken Hill for train, coach or plane return. 

Highlights

• Gundabooka National Park & Aboriginal rock art
• Bourke - river cruise and Back O'Bourke centre / history
• Brewarrinna - ancient Aboriginal fish traps 40,000 years old
• Macquarie Marshes - great bird spotting
• Warrmbungles Ranges - with bushwalk
• Siding Springs Observatory
• Gulgong - $10 note, Gold and pioneer history, Holtermann Photographic Museum 
• Parkes Radio Telescope  – The Dish
• Canowindra – Age of Fishes Fossil Museum
• Grenfell Silo Art
• Weethalle Silo Art
• Hay – Shear Outback Centre
• Wentworth – Junction of the Darling & Murray Rivers + Megafauna Museum
• Mungo National Park & China Walls tour
• Menindee – Lakes & Burke & Wills Camp

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

This tour takes us via some of the NSW Silo Art Trail through lovely country towns and regional areas. The Silo At Trail is transforming Australian regional towns. Join us on an adventure through rural Australia to witness these great masterpieces and the local hospitality.

Itinerary

Day 2 - BOURKE - 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 River 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. Tonight we’ll join a campfire dinner under a coolabah tree, (if available) under a starlit sky, with plenty of music, poetry, and storytelling all about outback of Australia. Overnight Bourke. Meals: BL

Day 3 - 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. Heading south 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. We travel on to our final art silo in Coonamble then take the scenic road to the beautiful Warrumbungles for a delightful bush walk with wonderful views of The Breadknife. We have a tour of Siding Springs Observatory, home to Australia’s largest telescope. The Warrumbungles is Australia’s only Dark Sky Park, meaning it is our only Internationally recognised park with an exceptional quality of starry nights and an environment specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and public enjoyment. Overnight. Coonabarabran Meals: BLD

Day 4 - GULGONG, MUDGEE, PARKES 

Drive through Dunedoo, known for its poetry, hospitality, and name (meaning black swan), on the way to Gulgong - the town that was 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 are now a short drive to Mudgee where we’ll taste some local wines and have lunch in a vineyard.Now we visit the Portland silos at the old Cement Factory – beautiful artwork there on the cement works and symbolic of the restoration of the community in Portland exemplified by their site work and the wonderful annual art exhibition.

Moving on via Bathurst and the fascinating history of the gold rush and Cobb & Co coaches, then The Dish Exhibition centre at the giant CSIRO operated radiotelescope that brought the 1st moon landing images to Earth. Back in Parkes, and less famous is the King's Castle, Australia's very own Elvis Presley museum created by the original yellow Wiggle Greg Page. Overnight Parkes Meals: BLD

Day 5 – We visit  Canowindra, ballooning capital of Australia and the Museum of Fishes – viewing ancient fish fossils from this area that was once an inland sea. Then Cowra (and railway roundhouse for the keen). Onwards we travel via Weddin Mountains National Park, visiting the popular Grenfell Wheat silos completed in 2019 and then through West Wyalong to the well-known Weethalle Silos. Driving West via Rankin Springs the country spreads and the sky seems to get bigger we know the perfect place to see our first Big Sky sunset with the full spectrum of colours as the sun sets over the Hay Plains. Overnight Hay Meals: BLD

Day 6 – SHEAR OUTBACK, WENTWORTH

Hay was one of Australia’s major wool growing areas, and a visit to the Shear Outback centre takes to you into the rich life in the wool industry in early NSW. We’ll take the backroad through seemingly endless saltbush plains, that are home to over 50 farming families. Tiny villages are the social hub for many of the large outback stations, where life can often be lonely. Follow the Murray River to Trentham Estate, a family-owned winery on the banks of the Murray River. Enjoy an afternoon wine tasting by the river before we head to Wentworth. In the late 1800’s Wentworth was the largest river port in Australia with over 400 boats plying the Murray and the Darling Rivers, which meet here. Overnight Wentworth Meals: BL

Day 7 – Wentworth visit the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers, Australia’s biggest river system and also visit Wentworth Pioneer Museum with life-size megafauna replicas from the local area including the cuddly 2-metre high Diprotodons. Into the desert and Mungo National Park to explore this ancient lake bed environment. Hear the stories of the region from a local guide, and learn of the oldest known ritual burial in the world. Discover the Walls of China and megafauna history of the area, explore the ancient Willandra Lakes and the historic sheep station and large and impressive shearing shed that served the area for around 100 years. Overnight Mungo Lodge, Mungo National Park.  Meals: BLD

Day 8 – Travel the Darling River via Pooncarie, Menindee and Kinchega National Park. Explore the memorial to Burke & Wills camp on the lakeshore, and a haven for wetland birds. Into Broken Hill and dinner at local restaurant. Tour completes in Broken Hill Accommodation own arrangements or add extra night from extras when booking. Meals: BL Dinner own purchase at local restaurant to celebrate tour end.

We recommend to stay another day to explore much more of Broken Hill

All tours require a minimum of 2 passengers for departure. If you require a booking for 1 person please call us direct to confirm minimum numbers have been met prior to booking online.

Inclusions –

• 7 nights Hotel Motel Accommodation - twin share or single supplement available - see booking link
• Genuine small group tour vehicle - usually 4WD GXL Landcruisers
• Professional Driver Guide
• 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 x 2 course dinners
• Paddleboat cruise at Bourke
• Wild wildlife!!
• National Parks entry fees.
• Tour price supports Outback Kids & Nature Care projects.