Kosciuszko National Park - NSW
Closure of the Barry Way (Lower Snowy River) for two months. Snowy River Shire Council has given notice of its intention to carry out road works at The Pinch River Crossing, Barry Way (Lower Snowy River), Kosciuszko National Park during July and August 2014.
This work is essential and due to difficulties of moving heavy machinery and large quantities of materials through the National Park, Council believes closure of the road is necessary to maintain safety.
Key dates to be aware of are:
21 July 2014. Grading of the Barry Way (Lower Snowy River) in preparation for Heavy Plant and materials moving to The Pinch River Crossing.
4 August – 8 September 2014. Closure of the Barry Way (Lower Snowy River) to all traffic (including weekends) at The Pinch River Crossing (therefore it will be a 'no through road'). Heavy machinery will be present so please avoid travelling on this road during this period.
Failure to address the serious road issues during July and August 2014 will result in the closure of the Barry Way through the Kosciuszko National Park to the Victorian Border until such time that repair work can be rescheduled at a later stage.
For inquiries contact Council's Manager Operations on 0408 692 624 or 02 6451 1007, or by email to
records@snowyriver.nsw.gov.
On The Darling.
We spent 10 days between Wilcannia and Wentworth in April 2014 and found some very pleasant camp sites. Trip from Broken Hill to Wilcannia was interesting because we were in amongst the ‘hay trucks’ travelling from Esperance – great to see and friendly, courteous drivers.
Wilcannia has two camp grounds; one new with excellent facilities, grassed and on a billabong – it’s a little way out of town and called ‘Warrawong on the Darling”. The other was nearer town - we went in to see and there were grassed, shady sites, also looked pleasant.
Travelling south on the west side, Nelia Gaari Station had lovely camp sites on the river bank, hot showers and toilets. Menindee had many sites around the lakes; quite a lot of camps along the River in the Kinchega National Park; Bindara Station provided sites with hot showers and toilets; Pooncarie also had camping. In all a lovely area and station people were friendly and helpful – we hope to go back.
We recently stayed at Warrawong, just on the East side of Wilcannia. Really excellent facility with grassy caravan and camping site, some backing onto the lagoon. All sites have; a) power b) potable water tap c) grey water pipe inlet d) black water pipe inlet. The ablution block has some of the best shower and toilet facilities we have encountered in our travels, extra-large shower and hand basin cubicles with plentiful hot water; and separate flush toilets. Laundry facilities are somewhat limited with only one washing machine and one dryer.
In addition to these "conventional caravan park" type sites there are "Bush" camping sites along the river and around the lagoon for independent campers, with camp fires possible and a plentiful supply of firewood to be collected.
Visitors are welcome to meet at the office and fire pit at around 5PM for a "meet and greet" talk by a local indigenous elder who outlines the significance of the area to their people.
Whilst in Wilcannia take the time to visit the refurbished Post Office building which once again houses the official post office services. Further information on Warrawong are available on their website
www.warrawongonthedarling.com.au/
Hope this is helpful to Cam and Marg, and other Friday Five readers who may be passing through Wilcannia. It is a very pleasant place to stay overnight, or for an extended period. Also offers one of the few access points to the Darling River.
August/September of last year we stopped for a night and finished up staying 4 nights at Warrawong, east of Wilcannia. We chose to take the 'bush camp' option where we were able to camp on the banks of the Darling River - away from other campers. There are 3 options 1) Bush camp - no facilities at all, 2) Caravan Park type of camping on grass with all facilities and 3) somewhere in between.
We loved it and were even able to get a decent cup of coffee at the Wilcannia Tourist Office together with home-made gluten free cake. What more could you want? There isn't much in the way of shopping but the self-guided tour of the town introduces you to some lovely old buildings. And a day visit to White Cliffs is also worthwhile. Take the time and enjoy.
We stayed there for two nights a fortnight ago and were most impressed with the service and particularly the facilities. The park is less than a kilometre north of the river and on the western side of the highway. Cost is $35.00 per night for a grassed, powered site of which there is approximately 24 sites. BBQ facilities and camp kitchen available. There is unlimited unpowered bush camping along the Darling River front within walking distance of the ablution block. Speaking of which is probably the best we have experienced throughout the whole of Australia. A great local indigenous artist in residence and often conducts tours of the property pointing out the local aboriginal history. We can highly recommend this park.
I spent a night there a few weeks ago and will definitely return again when I am next out that way. The powered sites are nicely grassed, mostly overlooking the lagoon. The amenities block is the most opulent I have experienced and the bush camping sites by the Darling and the lagoon are terrific.
There is information on the travel sites app Wiki Camps about the Warrawong Park, prices comments etc.
We stayed there a year ago not long after it opened. Fantastic the best amenities block bar none that we have seen. At the time only one washing machine in a pokey laundry but they may have since been addressed. Dam and river walks and camps, outside fire, sheltered BBQ overlooking dam. Go, you won't be sorry. They were just starting to get cabin areas organised.
Warrawong is three kilometres out of Wilcannia and is a member of the award winning network of accommodation providers Outback Beds. It is a beautiful park right on the Darling River with powered sites or very private bush camping, super friendly hosts and also a happy hour each evening. It also has a fantastic amenities block and gardens. Toni from Kilcowera Station.
www.kilcowera.com.au
I have no knowledge of Warrawong Cara Park, but I camped last year at a Victoria or Victory Park Caravan park on the Eastern side of the Darling, entrance on the outskirts of Wilcannia. Power sites, lawn, facilities, clean, very pleasant. Good price.
The Tanami
The Tanami could all change by the time this goes to print. Never good the whole way, recent reports have had it is reasonable condition. It is now showing as open – it was closed due to flooding. For distances between fuel outlets see
http://www.australiasomuchtosee.com/qa9.htm#tanami with the need to cover at least 561 kilometres. Bear in mind that driving on a road like this will involve varying speed and gears, so will use more fuel than highway driving.
We travelled across the Tanami on the 13th to 15th of May. Vehicles were two 4wds - one towing a camper trailer, the other an off road van. The first 180km or so to Tilmouth Well was a good single lane sealed road with nice scenery. Diesel at Tilmouth was $2.25 a litre which is ok for that area.
Then the dirt starts. About 100km on is Yuendumu aboriginal community where we topped up with fuel. When you turn back on to the track at Yuendumu there is a sign warning " next fuel 750km"
Generally the track on the NT side is reasonable with some road works and corrugations of course but not bad. We stayed overnight just off the road near flood out creek.
From the WA border to Billiluna community the track is badly corrugated-just painful to travel over. We stayed off road very near Billiluna that night and were not looking forward to the 171km track to the main road but it improved markedly once we reached the community turnoff. Still corrugations of course but not bad
Have to say track from Tilmouth Wells to Halls Creek had little of interest to see. We were warned by many travellers to be careful staying at Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing Caravan Parks as there seems to be serious theft problems.
A bit of local info
