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Destinations > The Wool Run
The Wool Run
Kinchega National Park lies just to the south west of Menindee and provided you don't visit here in the hotter months between October and April, you could easily spend quite a few days here. The turn off to the park is just 1km west of Menindee, as you head south you come to a side road where there is a self registration booth. Camping costs $3 per person per night with a $7 park entry fee. If you turn left at this junction it follows the banks of the Darling River with numerous numbered campsites scattered along its path. The track is spread out over several kilometres so there is no need to camp on top of other visitors. The campsites are on level ground under the spreading branches of the red gums and overlook the diminishing waters of the Darling. This is quite an idyllic location and it would be easy to spend a few days here relaxing. There is no firewood collection in the park although open fires are permitted in season, so collect your wood before you reach the Park (Here is a handy hint, if coming from Ivanhoe as described here, collect you firewood at least 20km east of Menindee, as there isn't much after this point).
In 1881 Kinchega Station covered over a million acres and had 143,000 sheep on it. The historic Kinchega woolshed is worth a visit and easily found with the map of the Park you will collect when you self register. It is said that during it operation over the course of 100 years, 6-million sheep were shorn in the Kinchega woolshed. The woolshed had stands for up to 65 blade shearers in its heyday and you can walk through the historic woolshed and observe firsthand the equipment used in this bygone era. You will wonder at the difficult backbreaking work, the stench of the sheep, the heat and dust that would prevail in the woolshed and the constant noise of the machinery, sheep and the swearing shearers. There is a lot to see in our own backyard - you can make this a trip in itself spending several days in each park or simply using the campsites mentioned as an alternative to the usual grind along the Mitchell and Barrier highway as you head west.
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Getting There/Maps
For Willandra travel via the Mid Western Hwy from Sydney/Bathurst/West Wyalong and for Kinchega follow the sealed road from Broken Hill or the unsealed road north from Mildura past Pooncarrie. Use the Hema Outback New South Wales map. The best time to visit is April to September, as it is too hot at other times.
Road Conditions
The roads around Willandra and Kinchega are well graded and very dusty but apart from dropping your tyre pressure to under 40psi to avoid punctures, your main concern will be wet weather. All unsealed roads will be closed when wet. This outback trek is suitable for 4WD and AWD vehicles and off road trailers fitted with good all terrain style tyres.
Staying there
The camping is fantastic in both parks with level shaded areas. In Kinchega you overlook the silt grey waters of the Darling River. Firewood is provided in Willandra, but you need to bring your own from outside the park at Kinchega. Both parks provide bunk style accommodation in shearers' quarters, which should be booked in advance.
Willandra Station
Entry Fee $7
Camping Fee $3 per night per adult, $2 per child.
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In 1881 Kinchega Station covered over a million acres and had 143,000 sheep on it. The historic Kinchega woolshed is worth a visit and easily found with the map of the Park you will collect when you self register. It is said that during it operation over the course of 100 years, 6-million sheep were shorn in the Kinchega woolshed. The woolshed had stands for up to 65 blade shearers in its heyday and you can walk through the historic woolshed and observe firsthand the equipment used in this bygone era. You will wonder at the difficult backbreaking work, the stench of the sheep, the heat and dust that would prevail in the woolshed and the constant noise of the machinery, sheep and the swearing shearers. There is a lot to see in our own backyard - you can make this a trip in itself spending several days in each park or simply using the campsites mentioned as an alternative to the usual grind along the Mitchell and Barrier highway as you head west.
read on below advertisement
Getting There/Maps
For Willandra travel via the Mid Western Hwy from Sydney/Bathurst/West Wyalong and for Kinchega follow the sealed road from Broken Hill or the unsealed road north from Mildura past Pooncarrie. Use the Hema Outback New South Wales map. The best time to visit is April to September, as it is too hot at other times.
Road Conditions
The roads around Willandra and Kinchega are well graded and very dusty but apart from dropping your tyre pressure to under 40psi to avoid punctures, your main concern will be wet weather. All unsealed roads will be closed when wet. This outback trek is suitable for 4WD and AWD vehicles and off road trailers fitted with good all terrain style tyres.
Staying there
The camping is fantastic in both parks with level shaded areas. In Kinchega you overlook the silt grey waters of the Darling River. Firewood is provided in Willandra, but you need to bring your own from outside the park at Kinchega. Both parks provide bunk style accommodation in shearers' quarters, which should be booked in advance.
Willandra Station
Entry Fee $7
Camping Fee $3 per night per adult, $2 per child.
next page »
