Wellington to Broken Hill

Setting of early we met up with Geoff and Heather and their crew in Dubbo. When all four vans were ready to roll we headed out on the road towards Cobar via Narromine, a lovely country town and Nyngan where we stopped for lunch after having driven through a swarm of grasshoppers. Lucky we had gauze in front of the radiator, otherwise they clog it up. The countryside is very flat and rather uninteresting although there has been some rain. We had a quick stop in Cobar, a mining town with some interesting buildings and then on to our overnight stop at a free camp called Meadow Glen. The signs of the outback were prevalent-red dirt and flies. We managed to gather some wood and so enjoyed an open fire to cook our evening meal and sit around and chat and enjoy the starry night. We found out that Broken Hill is in a fruit fly free zone and fruit and tomatoes are not allowed in all had to be eaten this meal. We had tomatoes for tea and for breakfast.
We decided on an early start so we could get to Broken Hill in time to do some sightseeing. The roads are very straight and the vegetation is stunted then turns into salt bush and mulga and as you get towards Broken Hill there are very few trees. The small rounded greyish salt bush and the green of some other bushes contrasts against the red dirt. The recent rains have provided an extra green tinge. I think it is very unusual to see so much greenery in this area which is normally very arid.

We passed through Wilcannia which was once a thriving port on the river Darling where the paddle steams took the wool to Adelaide. Now is a derelict town where all the shops are boarded up. There is a mainly an Aboriginal population here and they have very little hope. There was a beautiful sandstone church built in 1860’s but is sad to see a broken window and locked doors.
As you approach BH you are required to “dump” your fruit. It’s quite funny to see those who are unprepared, trying to eat all their fruit rather the throw it out.
As you come into Broken Hill you see the mine on the rocky hill and the town is built around it. I had no idea it was such a delightful place with lots to see and do, lots of old magnificent buildings and lots of art galleries and museums and a very, very interesting history.
That night we all planned the activities for the next day over dinner.