Menindee to Broken Hill

Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23^rd

On Saturday we left Cobar and headed towards Wilcannia. Well that town hasn’t changed since we were there 13 years ago except that maybe the main corner store is now closed and boarded up. This town has a bad stigma attached to it (for reasons we all know) and all businesses are closed except for the service station which has security screens on every window. This time however we decided to venture off the main road and see what else Wilcannia had to offer. Recently I read a report that the buildings are quite grand and it was once a large inland city with paddlesteamers visiting often. I must say that there were a few grand and well maintained buildings but it was all very quiet with no-one around. There was always a strange smell in the town too. Didn’t know what it was but I felt uneasy!

We then started on the Menindee-Wilcannia Road. Before leaving Cobar we taped up all seals of the van and even the lower vent of the fridge to stop all that dust getting in. We drove on this road for 160kms and what a good road it was. The condition it was when we used it D said he would drive it with a sedan. We were pleasantly surprised as we imagined it would be challenging. However there had been no rain and the day was perfect. So much for being near the desert  was really green. You could have been travelling to Bathurst if you didn’t know any better.

Menindee-Wilcannia Road
 

Upon arriving at Menindee we found a secluded campsite on the banks of the Darling River. Only disadvantage was it was really dusty – you felt dirty all the time.  Unfortunately the sealing of the van had not been a complete success. We had a bit of dust but nothing that couldn’t be fixed.

On the Banks of the Darling

My father-in-law tried his luck at fishing along with our youngest. And guess what – they caught CARP. I even saw later a sign saying “carp dump point”. Obviously everyone catches too much carp.

We enjoyed a camp oven feast of roast lamb and vegies. And like all campsites there were millions of stars and no noise.

The next day my father-in-law cooked up a great breakfast. From there we headed to Broken Hill

The caravan park at Broken Hill is neat and clean however very pricey. Lots and lots of grey nomads that make it difficult to get powered sites when needed!!! Thus why the parks can charge high rates.

Our first place to visit was Bell’s Milk bar where everyone tried a different flavour of shake so everyone could have a taste of something different. It was very 1950s themed and a very popular tourist attraction.

Once the milkshakes were finished we headed out to Silverton where the boys visited the Mad Max Museum then back to Broken Hill to visit the Living Desert. It was very busy when we were there as the sun was beginning to set over the sculptures which added to the loveliness of them.

Silverton
 

Mad Max's Car

So tomorrow we finally head to the Flinders Ranges – to whole reason for this trip. The place we are staying at says that there is mobile phone coverage in one particular spot of the property. I cannot see myself standing at that spot with the laptop in my hand adding another entry so I will catch up once I am on the Yorke Peninsula with lots of mobile service!

Until again…..