Outback NSW Self Drive

Stretching west from the Great Dividing Range into a vast, red-hued interior, Outback NSW is a landscape of raw beauty, ancient stories, and wide-open skies. This self-drive journey takes you through national parks, historic outback towns, and Aboriginal cultural sites, offering an authentic Australian adventure far from the coastal crowds. The route is best tackled in a 4WD, especially after rain, but sealed roads connect many highlights.

Highlights & What to See

• Mungo National Park – Walk among the lunar-like Walls of China and see the remains of Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, some of the world's oldest human remains.
• Broken Hill – Australia's oldest mining town, with an outback art scene, the Living Desert sculptures, and the historic Palace Hotel.
• White Cliffs – Stay in an underground dugout and tour opal mines in this quirky opal-mining town.
• Mutawintji National Park – Explore ancient Aboriginal rock art, waterholes, and gorges in a remote and sacred landscape.
• Kinchega National Park – Spot emus, kangaroos, and birdlife along the Darling River, with historic shearing sheds and woolsheds.
• Silverton – A ghost town turned film set (Mad Max 2), with a classic outback pub and eerie desert scenery.

Suggested Time to Spend

Plan at least 5–7 days for a loop from Sydney or Adelaide, covering Broken Hill, Mungo, and White Cliffs. If you have 10–14 days, extend north to Mutawintji and the Corner Country. Drive in the cooler months (April–September) to avoid extreme heat; summer temperatures can exceed 40°C. Allow half a day at each national park and a full day for Broken Hill's galleries and mines.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Mildura (VIC) – A riverside city on the Murray, combining outback with wine regions and paddle steamers.
• Flinders Ranges (SA) – Iconic South Australian outback with Wilpena Pound, just a few hours west of Broken Hill.
• Menindee Lakes – A chain of freshwater lakes with abundant birdlife, near Kinchega National Park.
• Tibooburra – The remote 'Gateway to the Corner Country', with a historic pub and desert scenery.
• Bourke – A historic river town on the Darling, with the legendary 'Back O' Bourke' experience.

Please check official sources for current details.