Driving to Broken Hill from Brisbane, or to Brisbane from Broken Hill, is a great outback adventure taking in the remoteness of south west Queensland and north west NSW – an area know as Cameron Corner and includes the eastern South Australian outback around the Strzelecki Desert.
This outback experience also has some great side routes that take the traveller to iconic places like Lightning Ridge, Menindee, Cameron Corner, and Sturt National Park. As well as some great ‘en route’ attractions like Bourke, Louth, Tilpa, the mighty Darling River, Tibooburra and Milparinka.
Around the Corner:
Toowoomba <> The Darling Downs <> St George <>Sturt National Park <> Milparinka <> Broken Hill:
Distance: 1,698km (approx)
A grand tour (<1,700km) of Southern Queensland and the Corner Country of Outback NSW. Heading west from Brisbane towards Toowoomba and across the Great Dividing Range, across the Darling Downs and onto iconic Dalby, St George and Cunnamulla via the Balonne Highway. Crossing the Mitchell Highway at Cunnamulla, continuing west (OUTBACK DRIVING.. caution and preparation required) along the Development Road to Eulo (and the Mud Springs) through Thargomindah to the remote town (well pub) of Noccundra.
From Noccundra, it is a 180km (approx) drive south to the NSW-Queensland border (Warri Warri Gate) and into the amazing Sturt National Park. Continuing south through Tibooburra (can divert here for Cameron Corner to the west) and onto Milparinka (a ‘must-see’ experience for Depot Glen, Poole’s Cairn and Poole’s Grave). From Milparinka, it is a nice run (sealed/gravel -50/50) down the Silver City Highway to Broken Hill.
Across the Downs and down the Darling:
Toowoomba <> The Darling Downs <> St George <>Sturt National Park <> Milparinka <> Broken Hill:
Distance: 925km (approx)
Heading from Brisbane across the Great Dividing Range at Warwick, continuing along the southern section of the Darling Downs and across to Goondiwindi, south to Moree then following the Gwydir and then Barwon Rivers to Walgett and Brewarrina. Soon after ‘Bre’ the Barwon River is joined by the Bokhara and Culgoa rivers from the north and the Bogan from the east to form the Darling River which runs into Bourke.
Down the Darling (The Darling River Run): From Bourke, the route follows the Darling River to the south west along what is known as the Darling River Run through the iconic outback towns of Louth, past Trilby Station (great stopover), Tilpa, and Wilcannia. From Wilcannia, the route can either be straight across to Broken Hill along the Barrier Highway or continuing along the Darling River Run to Menindee (the Menindee Lakes and Kinchega National Park) and then leaving the ‘Run’ and taking the sealed road to Broken Hill.
Side Route 1: Lightning Ridge Loop:
Brewarrina <> Lightning Ridge <> Cumborah <> The Grawin <> Narren Lake Reserve <> Walgett:
Distance: 313km (approx)
A highly recommended side-route (or destination for another trip). Lightning Ridge is one of those ‘must-see’ destinations and is the home of the beautiful Black Opal. The Black Opal is allusive but Lightning Ridge, its character and hospitality certainly are not. There is a wonderful welcome from the time you arrive; you can understand why some travellers stay. If you think the 'Ridge' is unique... then Grawin is even more so along with Sheep Yard and Glengarry./div>
'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.
Side Route 2: Menindee:
Wilcannia <> Menindee <> Broken Hill:
Distance: 313km (approx)
"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; Burke and Wills, Major Thomas Mitchell, Charles Sturt, Captain Francis Cadell, etc… there is a lot of history around Menindee. A great touring stopover with the magnificent Menindee Lakes (and Copi Hollow) and Kinchega NP which, with the Darling River forming its eastern boundary, affords the visitor some of the best access to this iconic river.
Side Route 3: Cameron Corner:
Tibooburra <> Cameron Corner:
Distance: 140km (approx)
The Corner Country; bordered by the Dingo Fence, this region covers an amazing diversity of landscapes, and is a huge contrast to the grey-soil plains of the river country. Ephemeral creeks and lakes are interspersed amongst the Barrier and Grey Ranges and sand dunes of the Simpson-Strzelecki dune fields, whilst sandstone mesas rise from ancient sea-beds.
It is home to the iconic outback townships of Milparinka, Tibooburra and Cameron Corner. The surveyed north-west corner of NSW, Cameron Corner, is the point at which the states of NSW, Queensland and South Australia meet and it is this corner that forms the north-west boundary of Sturt National Park – one of NSW’s largest National Parks at 340,000 ha..
images of broken hill
Driving to Broken Hill from Brisbane, or to Brisbane from Broken Hill, is a great outback adventure taking in the remoteness of south west Queensland and north west NSW – an area know as Cameron Corner and includes the eastern South Australian outback around the Strzelecki Desert.
