Outback Sunrise, Gold Mine and Aboriginal Cave Art

Day 12 Winter shoot 6000km in 14 Days

Below you will find a detailed description of the route as seen through the eyes of its creator to give you firsthand knowledge of the type of experiences available along this route The Below map is for reference guide only with interactive info on locations along the route.

A fully interactive and directional guide map is available with the Road Trips printable detailed itinerary for $5 using the below button

 

WHITE CLIFFS TO BOURKE 514km (5.30hr)

1. SUNRISE WHITE CLIFFS

Sunset and sunrise at white Cliffs is exceptional, especially when you take into account the vast expanse of countryside that can be viewed from above the underground Motel. (where we stayed)

The sunset was a pleasant experience, but at sunrise, I froze my buns off and was pretty overpowered by the starkness of it all.

The Underground motel was fascinating, like an immaculate warren of white, and the kids loved exploring.

Outback Australia pastel shades as sun sets with small moon in the background
Photo of sunrise from above the White Cliffs Underground Motel.

2. WHITE CLIFFS TO WILCANNIA NSW 95.8km (1hr) Below image is 67 Reid St 

Past through another town with great historic buildings; Wilcannia. Love the towns “Middle of nowhere, centre of everywhere” http://www.wilcanniatourism.com.au/

WilacnniaBuildings

Travel photo of large stone building in the outback

Cnr Reid St Myers St Post Office Wilcannia

3.  WILCANNIA TO COBAR NSW 264km (2.46hr) Fort Bourke HillNyngan Rd S Cobar 

Fort Bourke Hill is the historical site of Cobar’s first gold Mine and you can see the open pit and entrance to the new underground mine from a well-constructed viewing platform.

CobarGoldMine

4.  COBAR TO GUNDABOOKA NATIONAL PARK 118km (1.14hr) drive along Ben Lomond Road for approximately 7.5km to the Mulgowan Heritage Site entrance on the left. Turn off, then drive for about 16km to the Mulgowan Heritage Site carpark.

We headed off the main road into the Gundabooka National Park to find some aboriginal cave artwork (Mulgowan Art site walk ½ hr return)

This is a brilliantly kept spot with picnic tables, toilets and a well-guided beautiful stoned pathway that takes you through some great scenery, across a creek bed to some very nicely preserved, clear Aboriginal cave art.

AboriginalCavePaintings

Car parked in the shade of the Mulgowan Heritage Site picnic area
An outback read earth walking path leading through long dry grass
Emus in long grass standing beside dirt road in the Gundabooka National Park
Big red kangaroo standing beside dirt road in the Gundabooka National Park

5.  GUNDABOOKA NATIONAL PARK TO BOURKE 54km (34min)

We arrived a little late to Bourke due to our very adventurous day, and so missed the PV Jandraa (replica of an 1895 paddle-wheeler) 1-hour cruise, that departs from the Kidman’s Camp where we stayed. Located about eight kilometres north of Bourke along the Mitchell Highway and situated on the banks of the mighty Darling River, Kidman’s Camp is a destination in its own right. 

NEXT: Wild Brumbies, Emus, Kangas and Cows