NARRABRI (at this stage) to BOURKE. KAMILAROI HIGHWAY.

Also covered, short section north of Bourke to Mays bend, a nice camp spot on Darling River.

This is part of a major east west route from Gilgandra to Bourke. We travelled the Narrabri to Bourke section.
It is dual lane sealed.
Note. In general, roadside parking is only signed when it's on your left side. Not sure why, but guess to stop
one crossing to the other side of the road against oncoming traffic. This means, however, that parking spots on
the opposite side of the highway, to which we travelled, may be missed in these notes.

0 km (426.5 km) Roundabout .. southern extremity of Narrabri .. Narrabri ahead. Turn west for Australian Telescope and Yarrie
Lake. Also, via back roads, to Wee Waa. The Kamilaroi Highway joins the Newell Highway just south of this spot.
That section, Gilgandra to Narrabri has not been travelled at this stage.
------------------------------
0 km Turning west for Australia Telescope, Yarrie Lake.
[19.6 km] Following signs.
19.6 km Auatralia Telescope entrance (signed) .. north side .. well worth the visit.
[3.7 km]
23.3 km Turn left (signed) for Yarrie Lake.
[4.8 km]
28.1 km Rurn right (signed) for Yarrie Lake.
[0.6 km]
28.7 km dirt road commences .. follows edge of lake with camp spots (water connected to some) between road and lake.
Must pay caretaker before setting up camp.
[1.6 km]
30.3 km Yarrie Lake .. caretaker to left. Extensive level dirt parking area $10 pvpn .. powered sites $15 pvpn near and
opposite toilet block. Very accessible circular lake with nice sandy shore.
* Class 2. 30° 22.15' S. 149° 31.10' E. Hema map 24, G 4.
Toilets, showers, covered tables, shade, potable bore water, fireplaces, rubbish bins, quiet, OK big rigs,
no time limit, good TV, OK CDMA, boat ramp, water sports facilities.
------------------------------
NARRABRI to BOURKE .. KAMILAROI HIGHWAY .. continued.
[1.7 km] Showground to west, where another traveller advised it was possible for motorhomes to overnight for a fee.
1.7 km (428.4 km) Centre of bridge oner Namoi River.
[1.2 km]
2.9 km (432.6 km) Junction .. eastern end Narribri Creek bridge. Newell/Kamilaroi Highway turns north. We turn south to Tarriaro
Reserve .. suggested, by info centre (after poining out there are 3 van parks in town), as a motorhome overnight spot.
-------------------------------
0 km Turn south, past parkland and caravan park .. both on right.
[0.7 km]
0.7 km Turn left, then immediately right around RSL Club onto Old Gunnedah Road.
[12.6 km]
13.3 km Veer right .. gravel road .. signed Boggabri 53 km, Gunnedah 83 km.
[0.4 km]
13.7 km Centre of Bridge. There are possible overnight spots on both sides of bridge, far side best. Also, fishing spots.
Class 2. 30° 23.95' S. 149° 53.53' E. Hema map 25, G 5.
Shade, rubbish bin, flat areas (caution in wet weather) suit medium size rigs, no time limit, good TV, weak CDMA.
[0.7 km]
14.4 km Track to left. Tarriaro Reserve sign. Not investigated.
[0.2 km]
14.6 km Track to right .. 60m to Namoi River bank with level grass turning area/parking spot provided by a suitable loop.
Suitable for long stay .. fishing in river. Caution in wet weather .. 4 WD track along bank.
* Class 2. 30° 34.36' S. 149° 53.75' E. Hema map 25, G 5.
Shade, rubbish bin, 50m from road (some noise), barely OK big rigs, no time limit, good TV, weak CDMA, river view.
-------------------------------
NARRABRI to BOURKE .. KAMILAROI HIGHWAY .. continued.
[0.4 km]
3.3 km (423.2 km) Signed parking .. west side .. rear Info Centre/Australian Cotton Centre. Large sealed parking area including
4 bays for signed "for long vehicles". Large park area at rear .. looks good for overnight spot, but info centre says
"definately no". Parking suitable for walking to Woolworths and/or Post Office/town centre .. both opposite.
Class 5. 30° 19.43' S. 149° 46.82' E. Hema map 24, G 5.
Tables, Shade, rubbish bins, 50m max to highway, OK big rigs, good TV, good CDMA.
[1.3 km] Heading north along Newell Highway .. follow signs.
4.6 km (421.9 km) Junction .. west side .. Kamilaroi Highway west to Wee Waa, Walgett etc.
[12.5 km] A few km out of town, there are tracks to the south .. various spots on the Namoi River .. not investigated.
17.1 km (409.4 km) Gravel pit noted .. south side .. 30m from highway. Drovers were camped in this general area.
[27.8 km]
44.9 km (381.6 km) In Wee Waa .. junction, south side 0.1 km to Wee Waa main street/Post Office.
[16.5 km]
61.4 km (365.1 km) Merah North .. south side.
[2.6 km]
64.0 km (362.5 km) East side of Pian Creek .. north side .. potential camp spot noted, not investigated.
[29.6 km]
93.6 km (332.9 km) Barren Junction .. south side .. free camping and hot spa. Gravel track into extensive series of level
essentially dirt tracks/parking areas around pool. A very popular spot for travellers and locals. Be wary of
black soil areas if wet or rain in the offering.
Class 1. 30° 06.87' S. 148° 59.71' E. Hema map 24, F 3.
Toilets, showers, tables, limited shade, water reported potable, bush fire places, rubbish bins, 175m to highway,
OK big rigs, no time limit, good TV, good CDMA.
[2.8 km]
96.4 km (330.1 km) Pub .. north side .. large parking area at rear.
[0.4 km]
96.8 km (329.7 km) Junction, turn north to travel through town, ahead to bypass town.
[1.7 km] Travelling through town (store on the right).
98.5 km (328.0 km) "T" junction .. bypass road from the south, turn north (right) to continue towards Walgett.
[3.5 km]
102.0 km (324.5 km) "T" junction .. turn north (left) across railway line to continue towards Walgett.
[35.5 km]
137.5 km (289.0 km) Cryon .. across rail crossing .. cafe (? open) on west side, hall on east side. Question parking possibility
at area beside hall .. not investigated.
Class 3 to 4. 30° 00.32' S. 148° 36.76' E. Hema map 24, F 2.
40m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[2.3 km]
139.8 km (286.7 km) Junction .. turn west (right) for Walgett.
[46.3 km]
186.1 km (240.4 km) "T" junction with Gwydir/Caslereagh Highways .. for Walgett and following the Kamilaroi Highway, turn south.
[4.0 km]
190.1 km (236.4 km) Centre of bridge across Namoi River.
[0.9 km]
191.0 km (235.5 km) Junction with Wee Waa Street, centre of Walgett. Post Office on corner. Turn west to follow the Kamilaroi
west to Brewarrina. We initially continue ahead for Info Centre and Alex Trevallion Park.
------------------------------
0 km Continuing south along Fox Sreet/Castlereagh Highway.
[0.2 km]
0.2 km Info Centre .. west side .. signed parking in front (facing north) for caravans etc.
[1.3 km]
1.5 km Signed rest area (? no sign from south) .. east side .. Alex trevallion Park. Since our last visit, now signed
"NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING, by order General Mnager, Walgett Shire" .. dissapointing! We enquired at truck stop opposite
where the reaction was "people still stay, pull the sign out". Further enquiries at the Info Centre revealled the
towns caravan park was closed and they turn a blind eye to people parking there overnight, so we stayed again!
Walgett Rotary Club Project .. large sealed area .. nice trees .
* Class 3. 30° 02.005'S. 148° 06.955'E. Hema map 24, F 1.
Toilets, covered tables, shade, water + filtered water, BBQ now free + wood BBQ.
rubbish bins, OK big rigs, 80m max from 80 kph highway, good TV, good CDMA.
DUMP POINT .. in enclosure just past toilet block .. necessary to lift out plastic plug.
Council worker advised this area south of town is free of "hoon" problems.
------------------------------
Narrabri to BOURKE .. KAMILAROI HIGHWAY .. continued.
[6.0 km]
197.0 km (229.5 km) Centre of Bridge .. Barwon River.
[0.9 km]
197.9 km (228.6 km) Junction .. continue ahead for Cumborah etc. We turn west to follow the Kamilaroi Highway. Parking spot
noted on north west corner, rubbish bin.
[50.5 km]
248.4 km (178.1 km) The Big Warrambool bridge. There is a track down over the shallow gully parallel to the bridge .. north side.
Parking possible adjacent to track.
Class 2. 30° 04.63' S. 147° 33.61' E. Hema map 27, E 13.
Shade, rubbish bin, 40m max from highway/bridge, OK big rigs.
[17.6 km]
266.0 km (160.5 km) Truck parking bay .. north side .. rubbish bin.
[52.7 km]
318.7 km (107.8 km) Junction .. Kamilaroi Highway turns south west. North (long way) to Goodooga, Hebel etc.
[0.6 km]
319.3 km (107.2 km) Signed rest area .. south side .. gravel road to small parking area.
Class 2. 29° 54.92' S. 146° 54.85' E near entrance. Hema map 27, D 12.
Covered tables, fire place, rubbish bin, 45m max to highway, OK small rigs.
[6.2 km]
325.5 km (101.0 km) Centre of bridge .. Barwon River.
[1.7 km]
327.2 km (99.3 km) Junction .. Kamilaroi Highway and Brewarrina turn west. We initially turn south for Four Mile Reserve.
-----------------------------
0 km Turning south .. signed to Nyngan.
[2.8 km]
2.8 km Junction .. Carinda Road .. east side .. camp spot sign.
[5.1 km]
7.9 km Junction .. north side .. camp spot sign.
[0.5 km]
8.4 km Four Mile Reserve. Large non level gravel parking/turning area, level area at entrance. Signed alchohol fee zone.
Class 2. 20° 59.10' S. 146° 55.03' E. Hema map 27, E 12.
Toilets, showers, covered tables, some shade, non potable water, fire places, rubbish bins, quiet,
OK big rigs, no time limit, weak TV, good CDMA, boat ramp, river landing.
-----------------------------
NARRABRI to BOURKE .. KAMILAROI HIGHWAY .. continued.
[0.2 km] Heading to centre of Brewarrina.
327.4 km (99.1 km) Brewarrina Post Office.
[55.5 km]
382.9 km (43.6 km) Long level gravel loop off/on highway .. south east side.
Class 2. 30° 00.36' S. 146° 21.45' E. from opposite side of highway. Hema map 27, E 11.
Some shade, 35m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[0.5 km]
383.4 km (43.1 km) Bogan River.
[5.8 km]
389.2 km (37.3 km) McKonicky Creek.
[37.3 km]
426.5 km (0 km) Junction .. with Mitchell Highway. Turn north for Cunnamulla, ahead 0.8 km to end of the Main Street
in Bourke on the right.

We will continue a little way north of Bourke in order to give details on Mays Bend camp spot on the Darling River.

------------------------------
0 km Turn north for Darling River bridge, Cunnamulla etc.
[5.3 km]
5.3 km Darling River bridge. Old opening bridge visible immediately upstream.
[0.4 km]
5.7 km Junction .. signed to north for Cunnamulla. Pub on corner. Opposite pub is the North Bourke large level truck
parking area .. playing field at rear, store oposite (beside pub).
Class 3. 30° 03.25' S. 145° 56.91' E. Hema map 27, E 10.
Tables, shade, rubbish bins, 20m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[5.7 km]
11.4 km Junction .. east side .. faded sign to Bullamunta caravan park .. gravel road.
30° 06.88' S. 145° 59.02' E. Hema map 27, E 10 at junction.
[2.8 km] Past caravan park on right.
14.2 km Junction .. 0.3 km past caravan park, veer right. Main gravel road continues ahead.
[2.6 km] Following dirt track (beware in wet weather) generally eastwards.
16.8 km ( km) Mays Bend. we camped on top bank, but extensive area/series of tracks to various camp spots.
* Class 2. 30° 02.36' S. 146° 01.43' E. Hema map 27, E 10.
Shade, quiet, OK big rigs, good TV, weak CDMA, river view.
------------------------------

To send an e-mail to Ron, use the "Back to RONS HOMEPAGE" facility below.

There is a "Send an e-mail to Ron" link at the bottom of that HOMEPAGE.

Back to Rons home page.