(south of) GRIFFITH (at this stage) to SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BORDER (near RENMARK).   STURT HIGHWAY.


Balranald to Euston not travelled, instead a diversion through Tooleybuc and south along the Murray.



  This is part of a major east west route from the Hume Highway to the South Austarlian Border.
  It is dual lane sealed.
  Although, some of this route .. our diversion Tooleybuc to Euston and the Mildura to S.A. Border .. are in Victoria
  this Sturt Highway section is included in the N.S.W. notes.
  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 (511.7 km) Cross roads with Kidman Way .. south of Darlington Point and Griffith. We turned north at this point ..
  thus the Sturt Highway west to the Hume Highway isn't covered .. at this stage.
[20.5 km]
  20.5 km (491.2 km) Signed rest area .. south side .. Tandra .. sealed turning area with parking on adjacent dirt area.
  Signed "camping is not permitted, RTA, NSW."
  Class 5. 34° 34.48' S. 145° 47.51' E. Hema map 40, G 10.
  Shade, non potable water, rubbish bin, 30m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[10.7 km]
    NOTE: Continuing westwards, the river and the highway run essentially parallel to each other. There are
  numerous camp spots along the river .. mostly signed with a small sign "river", thus difficult to see from a distance.
  Only a few were investigated .. we had some concern re being able to turn our rig around at the ends of the tracks.
31.2 km (480.5 km) Signed Birdcage rest area .. both sides .. details for south side. To the east on the south side there are
  tracks to areas further from the highway .. and possibly to the river bank.
  Class 2. 34° 31.44' S. 145° 42.14' E. Hema map 40, G 10.
  Toilets, tables, some shade, non potable water, rubbish bins, 20m to highway, OK big rigs.
[0.3 km]
31.5 km (480.2 km) Signed .. south side .. to Birdcage Reserve .. a camp spot on the river .. not investigated.
[26.1 km]
57.6 km (454.1 km) Signed "river" .. south side .. Rudds Point Reserve. Travel in 0.3 km via dirt road to level area at top of
  where the track decends to lower river bank.
  Class 2. 34°, 30.79' S. 145° 14.52' E. Hema map 40, F 9.
  No shade, 250m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[9.9 km]
67.5 km (444.2 km) Signed truck parking from east .. south side .. small level sealed loop off/on highway with level dirt area at rear.
  Class 3. 34° 30.79' S. 145° 14.52' E. Hema map 40, F 9.
  Some shade, rubbish bins, 30m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[38.9 km]
106.4 km (405.3 km) Cross roads .. Cobb Highway. Sturt Highway continues ahead.
------------------------------
  0 km turning north to Hay.
  [1.3 km]
  1.3 km Hay .. Post Office .. west side. Info centre in next street to left. Apparently, town water is available
  there, but congested parking.
  [1.1 km] Continuing north to showgrounds.
  2.4 km Turn left into Dunera Way.
  [0.8 km]
  3.2 km Turn right into showground entrance. Caretakers cottage to left, we were parked to the right.
  * Class 2 (fee normally $10 pvpn, CMCA $8 pvpn). 34° 29.85' S. 144° 50.28' E. Hema map 40, B 13.
  Covered tables, hot showers, toilets, non potable water from taps .. for town water ask caretaker Kevin, BBQs under
  construction, rubbish bins, 30m max to side road, has area for big rigs, no time limit, good TV, good CDMA, power.
------------------------------
South of GRIFFITH to S.A. BORDER .. continued. [13.0 km]
119.4 km (392.3 km) 9 mile reserve .. north side. Difficult to see .. small sign "river" and "9 mile res".
  Formed dirt road to some level grass areas overlooking river .. where we stayed.
  * Class 2. 34° 32.98' S. 144° 42.61' E. Hema map 40, C 13.
  Little shade, 200m to highway, OK medium size rigs, good TV, good CDMA.
  Track decends from that spot down closer to river .. not many level area, danger falling branches.
  Shade, 300m to highway.
[15.7 km]
135.1 km (376.6 km) Signed (from east) truck parking area .. medium size sealed loop off/on highway.
  Class 3. 34° 36.23' S. 144° 34.04' E. Hema map 40, C 12.
  Covered tables, little shade, rubbish bins, 30m max to highway, OK big rigs, no CDMA.
[26.6 km]
161.7 km (350.0 km) Signed Ravenworth truck parking .. both sides. Sealed loops off/on highway.
  Class 3. 34° 37.88' S. 144° 17.69' E. Hema map 40, C 12.
  Toilets, covered tables, non potable water, rubbish bins, 40m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[13.1 km]
174.8 km (336.9 km) Signed truck parking bay .. south side .. rubbish bin.
[56.4 km]
231.2 km (280.5 km) Signed rest area .. south side .. Yanga Creek .. travel in 0.5 km via sealed road to sealed loop with
  extensive dirt parking areas at rear. This area is part of the old highway.
  Class 2. 34° 34.09' S. 143° 35.47' E. Hema map 40, C 9.
  Covered tables, some shade, non potable water with tap close to ground, fireplace (half wrecked), rubbish bins,
  100m max to highway, OK big rigs, no time limit.
[4.8 km]
236.0 km (275.7 km) Large Caltex roadhouse .. north side. Diesel 7c/litre cheaper than in Balranald. Large parking area at rear.
  Compressed air noted at diesel pumps.
[0.3 km]
236.3 km (275.4 km) Junction .. south side .. to Tooleybuc.
  Signed rest area on south east corner .. sealed road cutting across corner with sealed turning area at info
  board in covered area. Parking on dirt adjacent to sealed roads.
  * Class 2. 34° 40.01' S. 143° 33.76' E. Hema map 40, C 9.
  Covered table, some shade, rubbish bins, 50m from corner (rather noisy), OK big rigs, reasonable TV (no ABC), OK CDMA.
------------------------------
0 km (146.7 km) Taking road south to Tooleybuc. We travelled to Tooleybuc, then via the south side of the Murray River
  to Robinvale and rejoined the Sturt Highway near Euston.
[28.6 km]
28.6 km (118.1 km) Parking spot noted .. east side .. shade.
[4.2 km]
32.8 km (113.9 km) Junction .. east side. Signed picnic area/boat ramp. Travel 1.0 km, just before pub on the left, is a signed
  track on the right down to the picnic reserve/boat ramp area. Medium size dirt parking area, picnic area between
  parking area and river bank.
  Class 5 ("no camping" sign). 34°56.87' S. 143° 28.89' E. Hema map 40, D 9.
  Tables, shade, BBQ (broken), OK big rigs if not congested, boat ramp.
[0.9 km]
33.7 km (113.0 km) Kyalite store .. east side.
[3.2 km]
36.9 km (109.8 km) Junction .. east side .. to Swan Hill.
[13.6 km]
50.5 km (96.2 km) Tooleybuc .. it is possible to park on the south side opposite small caravan park. Park area between road and
  river.. walk to Post Office, shop. Pub further east.
  Class 5 ("no camping" sign). 35° 01.80' S. 143° 20.18' E. Hema map 40, E 8.
  Toilets, covered tables, no shade, potable WATER from tap on toilet block, rubbish bins.
[0.2 km]
50.7 km (96.0 km) Centre of old (one way traffic) opening bridge across Murray River.
[0.2 km]
50.9 km (95.8 km) Track on eastern (left) side about 60 metres after bridge .. leading, initailly, to a cleared area, then
  to a loop to/from river bank.
  * Class 2. 35° 01.85' S. 143° 20.07' E. Hema map 40, E 8.
  Shade, 75 m to road and noisy bridge, OK medium size rigs, weak CDMA, good TV (no ABC).
[0.5 km]
51.4 km (95.3 km) Junction .. Murray Valley Highway. We turned north towards Robinvale, Euston etc.
[1.2 km]
52.6 km (94.1 km) Signed "table" .. east side .. small gravel loop off/on highway.
  Class 2. 35° 01.55' S. 143° 19.00' E. Hema map 40, E 9.
  Table, some shade, 20m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[30.4 km]
83.0 km (63.7 km) Small parking area noticed .. west side .. table.
[12.7 km]
95.7 km (51.0 km) Signed rest area .. north side .. long gravel bay between road and river.
  Class 5 ("no camping sign"). 34° 43.12' S. 143° 09.96' E. Hema map 40, C 8.
  Toilets, tables, shade, rubbish bins, 20m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[1.8 km]
97.5 km (49.2 km) Boundry Bend caravan park .. south side. Boat ramp .. north side.
[11.7 km]
109.2 km (37.5 km) Signed rest area .. small gravel bay adjacent to highway.
  Class2-. 34° 42.42' S. 143° 09.96' E. Hema map 40, C 8.
  Table, some shade, 20m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[32.3 km]
141.5 km (5.2 km) Junction .. ahead to Robinvale etc. .. turn south for Bannerton.
[1.7 km]
143.2 km (3.5 km) Robinvale .. main street to east .. info centre to west.
[1.2 km]
144.4 km (2.3 km) Centre of bridge .. Murray River. Series of new bridges being built (March '06).
[2.3 km]
146.7 km (0 km) Junction with Sturt Highway just east of Euston.
------------------------------
South of GRIFFITH to S.A. BORDER .. continued.
[3.7 km]
240.0 km (271.7 km) Balranald Post Office .. north side.
[80 km] This section not travelled, distance taken from a map.
320.0 km (191.7 km) Junction. Sturt Highway ahead, turn south east for Robinvale.
[2.6 km] Following Sturt Highway.
322.6 km (189.1 km) Roundabout at Euston. Turn west (right) to follow Sturt Highway, ahead (south) for Euston town .. which
  we take initially. Turn south past pub, shop, caravan park then ahead passing to east of Club. Follow road through
  picnic area and past boat ramp to more open area to the west.
  * Class 3. 34°, 34.87' S. 142° 44.65' E. Hema map 40, C 7.
  Some shade, rubbish bins, quiet, OK big rigs, good TV, good CDMA, walk to Club.
[10.0 km] Continuing west.
332.6 km (179.1 km) Signed truck parking bays .. both sides .. rubbish bins, 10m max from highway.
[4.0 km]
336.6 km (175.1 km) Signed truck parking bay .. south side. Toilet, rubbish bin.
[14.6 km]
351.2 km (160.5 km) Signed rest area (Malee Fowl) .. south west side. Sealed loop off/on highway with another sealed area at rear.
  Class 5 ("no camping" signs). 34° 23.45'S. 142° 25.59'E. Hema map 40, B 6.
  Toilet, covered tables, some shade, rubbish bins, 50m max to highway, OK big rigs,
  no time limit, good TV, good CDMA, nice view of river.
[19.0 km]
370.2 km (141.5 km) Junction .. south side .. to Bottle Bend picnic area. 1.8 km in to large extensive area extending many
  hundreds metres along river bank.
  * Class 2. 34°' 18.21' S. 142° 17.92' E. Hema map 40, B 5.
  Tables, shade, rubbish bins, quiet, OK big rigs, no time limit, ABC TV + 3 channels, weak CDMA, good river
  views and access.
[10.4 km]
380.6 km (131.1 km) Rest area noted .. looked new .. west side. Toilets and "no camping" sign!
[5.6 km]
386.2 km (125.5 km) Gol Gol rest area noticed between highway and river .. appeared small, not investigated.
[4.1 km]
390.3 km (121.4 km) Junction with Silver City Highway .. to Wentworth and Broken Hill. For Mildura turn south.
------------------------------
0 km (33.3 km) Taking Silver City Highway west as far as Wentworth.
[2.4 km]
2.4 km (30.9 km) Rest area noticed .. south side, opposite Munga Park Road. Toilet noted.
[15.3 km]
17.7 km (15.6 km) Dareton post office.
[6.5 km]
24.2 km (9.1 km) Junction .. south side .. across river to Yelta and Sturt Highway 20 km west of Mildura.
[2.7 km]
26.9 km (6.4 km) Signed rest area (Curlwaa) .. north side .. large sealed parking bay.
  Class 5 (no camping signs). 34° 06.82' S. 141°57.60' E. Hema map 40, A 4.
  Toilet, some shade, rubbish bins, 30m max to highway, OK big rigs, night light.
[3.3 km]
30.2 km (3.1 km) Signed hospital and water ski area .. south side. Travel 0.8 km to level circular turning loop near river.
  Class 5 "no camping" signs! 34° 06.72' S. 141° 55.30' E. Hema map 40, A 4.
  Toilet, tables, some shade, non potable water from tap in centre of turning area, rubbish bins, OK big rigs.
[0.3 km]
30.5 km (2.8 km) Riley Park .. south side. Restoration of paddle steamer "Ruby". Also, statue/info on "Possum" .. an extremely
  interesting swagman type character who walked extensively along the Murray .. a series of books written by
  Max Jones .. well worth a read! .. some noted in Wenworth info centre.
[0.3 km]
30.8 km (2.5 km) Centre of bridge .. Darling River.
[0.2 km]
31.0 km (2.3 km) Wentworth Post Ofice .. info centre to right in Darling street .. designated parking for large vehicles past
  info centre at commencement of next block .. or, we used the side street.
[1.2 km] Follow signs to Lock 10 etc. to the south west of town.
32.2 km (1.1 km) Junction .. south side .. to park at junction of Darling and Murray Rivers. Really a nice class 5 day area,
  but also has a lookout tower to view/photograph the river junction.
[0.5 km]
32.7 km (0.6 km) Lock 10. Park area and parking spots adjacent to road .. great access to view lock.
[0.6 km] Turn south to designated camping area .. but by turning left again we found a spot near the boat ramp ..
  about 0.2 km downstream from Lock 10.
  If you go into the designated area, it is large, has spots close to river, but overhanging branches.
33.3 km (0 km) Boat ramp area .. medium size, undulating dirt parking area close to river. Stayed 2 nights.
  * Class 2. 34° 06.61' S. 141° 53.91' E. Hema map 40, A 4.
  Some shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, no apparent time limit, good TV, good CDMA, boat ramp, river views.
------------------------------
South of GRIFFITH to S.A. BORDER .. continued.
[1.5 km] Continuing south to Mildura.
391.8 km (119.9 km) Centre of bridge .. Murray River.
[1.0 km] Follow signs to west, the south to actual town centre (near Post Office).
392.8 km (118.9 km) Mildura. The highway to Adelaide leaves the town centre to the south and is called Deacon Avenue. On the
  north west corner with Fiftheenth Street is Mildura Centre Plaza (Woolworths food and liquor). Enter the car park
  from the north along Deacon Avenue and immediately to the left (veer left, then turn right) are 3 parking bays
  for long vehicles .. quite convenient!
[20.0 km] This section not travelled, distance taken from a road sign.
412.8 km (98.9 km) Junction .. north side .. Meridian Road to Yelta, Wentworth etc.
  We took this road north as far as the Silver City Highway, but no overnight spots noted.
[16.9 km].
429.7 km (82.0 km) Signed rest area .. south side .. small gravel loop off/on highway.
  Class2-. 34° 15.59' S. 141° 36.17' E. Hema map 40, B 3.
  Table, some shade, rubbish bin, 10m max to highway, OK big rigs.
[22.4 km]
452.1 km (59.6 km) Cullulleraine servo.
[0.3]
452.4 km (59.3 km) Cullulleraine (another) servo. There is a caravan park to the north near the lake.
[0.7 km].
453.1 km (58.6 km) Junction .. north side to Lock 9.
------------------------------
0 km Turn north towards Lock 9.
[2.4 km]
2.4 km Gravel road commences.
[6.4 km]
8.8 km Cross roads .. original road to Lock 9 ahead, but signed "no river access". A local informed us that the original
  access had been recently blocked by a fence. He suggested alternative directions .. which we took by turning right
  at the crossroads.
[1.7 km] Following road around to left, and turning left prior to water channel. The track became dificult for us due to
  overhanging trees .. a detour was necessary to get as far as a new fence at the rear of Lock 9 lodge. From there
  the track to the river (about 0.2 km) is suitable only for low vehicles. There is a similar track along the river
  to the left to the main entrance of Lock 9 lodge near Lock 9. To the right is a pumping station.
  There are camp spots close to the river, but most seem occupied by permament looking campers.
10.5 km Camped ovenight in clearing near rear fence (noted above).
  * Class 3. 34° 11.60' S. 141° 36.17' E. Hema map 40, A 3.
  Some shade, barely OK big rigs, good TV, weak CDMA.
------------------------------
South of GRIFFITH to S.A. BORDER .. continued.
[33.2 km]
486.3 km (25.4 km) Signed rest area .. south side noticed. Small area close to road with table, rubbish bin.
  34°, 02.23' S. 139°, 40.97' E. Hema map 62, D 5 at that spot.
[25.0 km]
511.3 km (0.4 km) Small rest area .. south side,
[0.4 km]
511.7 km (0 km) South Australia / Victoria border. Small rest area .. north side.


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ORIGINAL NOTES: 24 March 2006 : © Ron Graham 1997.