Driving to Broken Hill from Melbourne, or to Melbourne from Broken Hill, is a wonderful drive across the Murray/Darling Riverland area and through the vast Mallee area of north-west Victoria. The are several options open to the traveller; straight along the Calder Freeway (as the crow flies), up through the southern Riverina via The Long Paddock, or down along the Great Ocean Road, across Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles, then north through the Grampians NP and onto to Mildura, Wentworth and then Broken Hill.
Melbourne to Broken Hill
Surf Coast - Great Ocean Road - The Grampians
The Great Ocean Road <> Shipwreck Coast (12 Apostles) <> The Grampians <> Mildura/Wentworth <> Broken Hill :
Distance: 1,205km (approx)
By far the best route (if time permits) is the tour covering the Great Ocean Road, Cape Otway, The Grampians, Victoria’s Western Districts, and the Murray Riverland. The Great Ocean Road is regarded by many as the greatest coastal drive in Australia, and one of the Top 10 in the world. Taking in Torquay, Bells Beach, Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay before traversing Cape Otway, and onto the magnificent 12 Apostles, Port Campbell and then Warrnambool. From the spectacular Shipwreck Coast it is a beautiful drive northward though the dramatically changing Victorian landscape to The Grampians NP and the spectacular Halls Gap.
From The Grampians, it is a pleasant drive up to the fruit growing region of Sunraysia (to Mildura) and then following the Murray downstream to its junction with the Darling River at Wentworth. From the Murray Darling confluence at Wentworth, the run up the Silver City Highway finishes the journey at Broken Hill or alternatively via Lake Mungo or straight up the Darling River to Menindee then across to the Silver City.
The long Paddock
Melbourne <> The Northern Highway <> Echuca <> Deniliquin <> Hay <> Ivanhoe <> Wilcannia <>Broken Hill :
Distance: 1,076km (approx)
The Long Paddock: this great touring route takes in the Murray River at Echuca (a wonderful stopover), before joining the start of the Cobb Highway at Moama and running up through Mathoura, Deniliquin, Wanganella, Booroorban, Hay, Booligal, Ivanhoe Wilcannia. The route then joins the Barrier Highway for the run westwards to Broken Hill.
Echuca is one of those destinations that everyone should put on their list of places to experience. The Port of Echuca is Australia’s paddleboat capital and one of the best places to experience the Murray River. The history of the river and its contribution to opening up the pastoral country has been beautifully preserved and showcases the majestic nature of this region. A wonderful way to start (or finish) a journey along The Long Paddock.
The Calder: tho most direct route to Broken Hill from Melbourne (or visa versa) allows the traveller to experience a pleasant drive though the Western Districts of Victoria, up though the Mallee, onto Mildura then following the Murray westward to Wentworth (where the Murray and Darling Rivers Meet) before joining the Silver City Highway for the run up to Broken Hill or alternatively via Lake Mungo or straight up the Darling River to Menindee then across to the Silver City.
As an alternative (and a mighty fine one at that), instead of taking the Silver City Highway (Broken Hill <> Wentworth) is to visit Lake Mungo (Mungo National Park) taking the road form Mildura to Lake Mungo then across to Pooncarie and on to Menindee and then to Broken Hill. Mungo National Park is one of the most awe-inspiring indigenous sites in Australia.
NOTE: This alternate route is primarily on gravel road (dry weather only) and can be undertaken (with due care) in a 2 wheel drive car. Always check road conditions before travelling on unsealed roads.
The Darling River, Australia's longest, runs 2,740 kms through Outback NSW. The system is fed, primarily from the summer rains of southern Queensland and makes its journey south-west across the state to Wentworth where it joins the mighty Murray River.
The Darling River Run allows the traveler to experience some of the best Outback country in Australia; flora, fauna, wondrous landscapes, outback characters and truly remarkable sunrises and sunsets. The ‘Run’ can take the east or western sides of the Darling River and the tour provides an insight to the challenges many of the early explorers faced in trying to open up the interior of this country. Passing through Pooncarie, Menindee, Menindee Lakes, and Kinchega NP (mostly unsealed dry weather road) and rejoining the bitumen for the run to Broken Hill.
Driving to Broken Hill from Melbourne, or to Melbourne from Broken Hill, is a wonderful drive across the Murray/Darling Riverland area and through the vast Mallee area of north-west Victoria. The are several options open to the traveller; straight along the Calder Freeway (as the crow flies), up through the southern Riverina via The Long Paddock, or down along the Great Ocean Road, across Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles, then north through the Grampians NP and onto to Mildura, Wentworth and then Broken Hill.
By far the best route (if time permits) is the tour covering the Great Ocean Road, Cape Otway, The Grampians, Victoria’s Western Districts, and the Murray Riverland. The Great Ocean Road is regarded by many as the greatest coastal drive in Australia, and one of the Top 10 in the world. Taking in Torquay, Bells Beach, Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay before traversing Cape Otway, and onto the magnificent 12 Apostles, Port Campbell and then Warrnambool. From the spectacular Shipwreck Coast it is a beautiful drive northward though the dramatically changing Victorian landscape to The Grampians NP and the spectacular Halls Gap.
The Long Paddock: this great touring route takes in the Murray River at Echuca (a wonderful stopover), before joining the start of the Cobb Highway at Moama and running up through Mathoura, Deniliquin, Wanganella, Booroorban, Hay, Booligal, Ivanhoe Wilcannia. The route then joins the Barrier Highway for the run westwards to Broken Hill.
