Aussie Outback Tours

Tour name and dates

Description

Comments

PUBS, GRUB, MINES & HISTORY

July 4th to 19th inc

Starts at Bendigo, Vic

Concludes at Broken Hill, NSW

TOUR COMPLETED

Underground church, Coober Pedy

Outdoor art, Oodnadatta Track

Tour description:

The themes of pubs, food, mining and our historical background are interwoven through the 2007 On the Road tour. A bus tour of the gold rush city of Bendigo starts the adventure, along with lunch in an historic pub. We call in to several little pubs in hamlets as we wind north to Rushworth, which has been classified in its entirety by the National Trust. On the way to the twin town river ports of Echuca-Moama we will call in to an authentic rural farmers’ market. Included is a cruise on the Murray River in an 1870s paddle steamer. Then it’s heading northward via the ‘long paddock’ – the wide road used for droving in the early days of European settlement, through Mathoura to Deniliquin. We will bush camp near Conargo, a village on a bend in the road but famed for hosting ute get-togethers when the World Ute Muster happens at Deniliquin.

Moulamein and Balranald are visited on the way to Mungo – the site of the planet’s oldest known human habitation some 50,000 years ago. At Pooncarie we camp beside the Darling River where the paddle steamers ran, carting wool from pastoral runs to the north. The former Kinchega Station shearing shed beside the Darling at Menindee is a calling point before passing through to Wilcannia and White Cliffs

The world’s first town solar power station, underground homes and opals are features of White Cliffs, where travellers can noodle for precious stones. We spend time in and around two settlements close to the ‘Corner Country’ of NSW – Milparinka and Tibooburra – before heading down the Silver City Highway to Broken Hill. At nearby Silverton we go into a ‘walk-through’ mine no longer yielding gold and silver, and then browse the artist colony township which was settled before Broken Hill.

The tour is suitable for standard cars, campers, motorhomes and caravans in sound condition. Good ground clearance is beneficial. A check sheet outlining what vehicle preparation is recommended will be issued. A number of meals, a bus tour, a river cruise, entries to some attractions are included. Mechanical support, First Aid and emergency communications are provided.

Fuels

Prior to joining the tour, travellers should ensure that they have sufficient fuel range between filling stations. Autogas is not available away from main highways. No fuel is to be carried inside any vehicles, and all additional fuel carried must be in approved vessels.

Locations on tour route

Bendigo, Junortoun, Axedale, Toolleen, Rushworth, Girgarre, Kyabram, Echuca - Moama, Mathoura, Deniliquin, Conargo, Wanganella, Moulamein, Balranald, Homebush, Mungo, Pooncarie, Menindee, Wilcannia, White Cliffs, Milparinka, Tibooburra, Packsaddle, Silverton, Broken Hill

An "On the Road" magazine Readers' Tour

Contact "On the Road" for all details, costs and bookings.

Normal cars and caravans eligible. Earth roads involved, all roads used by general population in these areas. Careful driving and appropriate preparation needed. No low-slung vehicles  or vans in poor condition accepted.