DAY ONE -
Our first stop was Mudgee, small trip from Sydney where we stayed overnight at a cabin and headed off the next morning to Broken Hill.
DAY TWO - From Mudgee, the trip to Broken Hill was 849km - it took us a little over 9 hours via main roads, passing main towns Dubbo, Nyngan, Cobar and Wilcamnia. Highlights of the trip were the comical signs regarding a town called Warren - a small town before Nyngan; and the changing scenery from green grass and bush to the red rugged harshness of the outback.
Phenomenal views on the way…
A short detour at Cobar to Fort Bourke lookout, worth the stop - where you will see an open cut active mine with a viewing platform to take some great snaps.
Fort Bourke Lookout
Our only other stop was in Cobar to refuel our tanks, and arrived at Broken Hill, there was time remaining to see The Living Desert Reserve, 9km from the City of Broken Hill - where you can visit the sanctuary and 'gain close access to outback plants and animals while understanding the regions Aboriginal heritage and the importance of preserving this environment for future generations’. After a nice walk along a trail among the plants, we managed to witness a Shingleback lizard walking along the road into the bushes.
The Living Desert Sculptures
Children excited over the Shingleback!
DAY THREE - The next morning we entered South Australia and continued along the Barrier HWY towards Peterborough (formerly known as St Petersburg). We stopped at Peterborough to buy more food supplies and then turned right on the B56 and then on the B80 - headed North to the next stop - Marree. Although it was a very long straight road, we followed views of the South Flinders Ranges. The rugged terrain of the Ranges were best seen from a rest area provided by a local property around 10km south of Parachilna. Flinders ranges National Park is best accessed by Brachina Gorge Road - there are other access points and many wonderful tracks however, unfortunately we did not have time to discover Flinders Ranges National Park!
View of Flinders Rangers from rest stop area
Peterboroug Stop
Continuing up North, the landscape transforms into a more flat, white arid terrain and as we pass Lyndhurst, we turn left at Ochre Cliffs- an Ochre being an important resource for Aboriginal community re trade and has cultural significance (the small cliffs are 1km in). We returned on the Outback Hwy heading towards Maree. Once in Maree the beauty of this country town is prominent - with the old railway trains on display upon entry and the infamous Marree Hotel - which is ideal for a hearty dinner or stay. On this particular night we decided to reside at the Oasis Caravan Park - lovely owners and simple cabins for a quick stay.
Ochre Cliffs
On the way to Marree…
Marree
Marree
