The Darling River, part of the Murray Darling Basin which covers a vast area of New South Wales as well as south-east Queensland and northern Victoria, is an area steeped in Indigenous history and culture in addition to being an area synonymous with early European exploration and pastoral history. The Darling is probably the most iconic river in Australia and is synonymous with the likes of George Evans, John Oxley, Charles Sturt, Major Thomas Mitchell, Burke & Wills, and many other early explorers.

See also:

• Darling River Run
• Photography of Bourke and the Darling

National Parks:

Gundabooka National Park:

Gundabooka National Park is located a short drive from Bourke and the Darling River boasts some magnificent examples of Aboriginal Rock Art in addition to three magnificent walks to access different sections of Mt Gundabooka. Easily accessible off the Kidman way the three main areas of the park provide great walks and picnic locations and the centrally located Dry Tank area provides the visitor with a wonderfully located camping area.

Kinchega National Park:

Located on the Darling River near Menindee, Kinchega National Park covers a large area incorporating several of the Menindee Lakes (originally named the Laidley Ponds) and some of the best vantage points for fishing and camping along the banks of the Darling River. The magnificent, and much photographed Kinchega Woolshed is also located within the park and is situated near the National Park Office.

Mungo National Park:

Probably the best known, Mungo National Park and its iconic 'Walls of China' is a 'must see' park not only for the shear beauty of the Lunette and the dunes which make up the 'Walls' but for the amazing and spiritually moving anthropological significance of the area which has evidence of continual Indigenous habitation extending over 40,000 years. In theory it is nothing more than the remnants of an ancient lake (completely dry and with ancient sand dunes running 20+ km along one side) in the middle of the New South Wales outback. In reality it is one of the most significant anthropological and archaeological sites in the world.

Mutawintji National Park:

Mutawintji National Park, which includes Mutawintji Historic Site, is an extremely special place for the living culture and spirituality of Indigenous Australians. The historic site has an extensive history as an Aboriginal ceremonial site relevant to many indigenous groups from the immediate and surrounding country. Its significance was further consolidated by a blockade in the 1980's to regain traditional custodianship of the Historic Site. The park also provides the visitor with many wonderful walks through magnificent gorges and ephemeral streams in addition to wonderful art sites.

Towns

Walgett

Walgett likes to describe itself as 'The Gateway to the Opal Fields' because it is an ideal place to stay before heading off to the famous opal mining settlement of Lightning Ridge (76 km away) and the smaller opal fields at Grawin, Glengarry and the Sheepyard, all of which are located north-west of Walgett.

Brewarrina

Brewarrina is ‘must-see’ destination and should be included in any journey through Outback NSW as it provides the visitor with a great insight into the indigenous connection to the land and the river in that it has always been one of the major inter-tribal meeting places within the Murray-Darling Basin.

Lightning Ridge:

"Though you've roamed the whole world over, seen most all there is to see, there are scenes you've never dreamed of, in the stone of mystery." Laurie Hudson, Cumborah Postmaster 1947-1965. There are many 'must see' destinations in Australia and Lightning Ridge is certainly that; home of the beautiful Black Opal and like the wonderful gem, Lightning Ridge shows its varying colours depending on how you look at it. Images of Lightning Ridge

Bourke

“if you know Bourke, you know Australia” so wrote the famous Australian poet Henry Lawson in 1882. Bourke is not merely a town but a region that is the figurative demarcation between Outback Australia and the east. Anything to the west is colloquially referred to as the 'Back o Bourke'; a term etched deeply in the Australian psyche meaning to be a long way away from anything. (Images of Bourke)

Louth

"a place that loved a drink, a party and a punt.."  So wrote Henry Lawson about Louth. Louth is a small service town (Pub, fuel and general store) on the Darling River about 100km downstream from Bourke and 100km upstream from Tilpa. Normally a quiet and sleepy settlement, once a year it is the scene for an classic annual country race meeting in August each year.

Tilpa

"Tis said the land out west is grand!, do not care who says it", Henry Lawson: 'The Paroo River' 1893. Located on the western banks of the Darling River, the very welcoming town of Tilpa is a must for a stopover, whether you have a few hours or a few days for camping and fishing on the Darling River.

Wilcannia:

If there is one great, and largely undisturbed, port on the mighty Darling River it is Wilcannia. Cross the bridge driving from Sydney to Broken Hill and turn either to your right or left when you enter the town and you will be amazed at the richness of the architecture. Here are the remnants of a once-important inland port.  

Broken Hill

Broken Hill, known as 'The Silver City', is the largest centre in Outback New South Wales and is often referred to as its “Jewel". Located 1,160 km from Sydney, the city came into existence in 1885 after Charles Rasp had recognized the mineral potential of the area two years earlier. Today Broken Hill sits on one of the world's largest known silver-lead-zinc lodes – a deposit which is 7 km long and over 220 metres wide.

Menindee

"There was Harrison, who made his pile when Pardon won the cup...." so penned Banjo Paterson in the immortal poem 'The Man from Snowy River'. The 'Cup' actually refers to the Presidents Cup at Menindee and not the Melbourne Cup as many people have assumed. Menindee is a town steeped in Legend and History for Indigenous and European culture. 

Pooncarie

The famous explorers Bourke and Wills reached the Darling river at nearby Tarcoola Station and made camp at what is now Bilbarka Park in September 1860 one way to their ill-fated expedition to the north west.

Wentworth

"Magnificent trees droop like willows to the waters edge with evening's mildest radiance in their foliage, throwing a soft haze over the distance..." Charles Sturt 1844. Wentworth is located at the junction of Australia's two great rivers - The Murray and The Darling. Originally named Hawdon's Ford, it was surveyed in 1858 and named Wentworth in 1859 after the Australian explorer, journalist and politician William Charles Wentworth. Before the Darling River was opened up, Wentworth was the hub to which much of the wool clip was brought for shipment to either Echuca (for transport to Melbourne) or Morgan (for transport to Adelaide).