Itinerary
Day 1 – Sydney to Dubbo
Depart Sydney early this morning heading west towards the Blue Mountains. We travel along the Bells Line of Road making a stop at the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens. Enjoy the stunning views here and grab a coffee before continuing on. Pass through Lithgow before turning off onto the Castlereagh Highway towards Mudgee. Mudgee has become very well known for its local food and wines and today we make a stop at the stunning Moothie Estate to enjoy some lunch overlooking the vineyards sprawling estate.
After lunch reboard the vehicle and continue along the Guntawang Road towards Dubbo arriving late afternoon. Check into your accommodation at the Cattleman’s Country Motor Inn. You will have some time to relax before meeting again for dinner at the nearby Castlereagh Hotel.
Day 2 – Dubbo to White Cliffs
Your guide will meet you early after breakfast this morning. Reboard the vehicle and continue west along the Mitchell Highway. The country starts to open up a bit now as you enter the outback. We pass through Naromine before making a stop for coffee at the tiny town of Trangie. Admire the 19th century architecture of this once thriving farming community. We have some time to explore the main street and enjoy a coffee. We continue on passing by Nyngan towards Cobar where we stop for lunch. Another great outback town, Cobar is full of characters. Lunch today is at the local RSL Club just off the main street. Enjoy lunch and meet some of great locals. Afterwards we pass through the town of Wilcannia, before continuing onto White Cliffs.
White Cliffs is well known for the first place in Australia where opal was discovered, by accident in 1872. Since then, opal has been mined continuously. Many of the locals live underground using their mining equipment to build their homes. Tonight you will be staying at the famous White Cliffs Underground Motel, built into the side of an escarpment and keeping a perfect all year round temperature of 21 degrees. You will have some time to relax before meeting for dinner at iconic White Cliffs Hotel; it doesn’t get more authentic than this. Settle in and chat to some of the friendly locals.
Day 3 – Explore White Cliffs then onto Broken Hill
Your guide will meet you after breakfast this morning for a tour of White Cliffs. We visit the Red Earth Opal Mine and take a tour 25 meters underground to see firsthand how opals are mined. Learn all about theirfascinating shapes and different colours. Continue our tour of White Cliffs afterwards admiring the unique outback landscape. We enjoy lunch at a local café before rejoing the vehicle and heading west towards Broken Hill. Enjoy the views of the vast outback as we travel along the Barrier Highway to the last frontier, Broken Hill, arriving late afternoon.
Broken Hill was established in the mid 19th Century after Silver was discovered. It became one of Australia’s richest towns as the mining industry boomed for many decades. We check into our accommodation at the stylish Royal Exchange Hotel. Enjoy your opulent surrounds of yesteryear in the beautifully restored heritage hotel. You will be here for 2 nights. Later meet for dinner at the close by Broken Hill Hotel.
Day 4 – Broken Hill and Silverton
Meet your guide after breakfast this morning for a tour of Broken Hill and the surrounding areas. Our first stop is the amazing Living Desert Sanctuary. In the cool of the morning, your guide will walk you through the stunning desert park where there are 12 unique and hand carved sculptures. Their uniqueness against the back drop of the desert makes for a stunning image. Relax and take in your
incredible surrounds.
Rejoining the vehicle we now head back into town for a visit to the miners museum located atop of the original mullock heap in the middle of the town. Admire the views of Broken Hill and surrounding countryside as well as the beautiful memorial to the local miners. We also have an option to visit the legendary Pro Hart museum. As we travel through the town, admire the beautiful 19th Century Architecture, many of the
buildings have been fully restored.
From here we travel to the nearby town of Silverton. The town has been used in many movies and commercials but is most famous for Mad Max movie franchise. Visit the legendary Silverton Hotel and admire the eclectic collection of memorabilia on the walls and roof of the pub. We enjoy lunch here before exploring the town. Discover local galleries, museums and the tiny stores that make up one of Australia’s most iconic towns.
Later head back to Broken Hill before enjoying dinner at the legendary Palace Hotel, well known as the pub where the movie Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was filmed.
Day 5 – Broken Hill to Hillston
Meet your guide after breakfast this morning as we continue our journey travelling South East to Hillston. We travel along the Menindee Road towards the stunning Lake Menindee, our first stop of the day. Menindee is the oldest European settlement in Western New South Wales and was the first town established on the Darling River. The explorers Burke and Wills also stopped here on their expedition to Northern Australia. We have some time to explore the town as well as see the Maidens Arms Hotel, the pub where Burke and Wills visited. Rejoining the vehicle, we continue along the Menindee Road towards Ivanhoe, a small town with a population of just 200 people. Lunch today is at the tiny Ivanhoe Hotel. Relax with a beer and some great outback hospitality.
On the road again we now head towards Hillston, another charming outback town lying on the banks of the Lachlan River and teaming with history. Check into your accommodation at the Hillston Motor Inn. You will have some time to relax before dinner tonight at the legendary Black Stump Hotel. Reputed to have the tallest Bar in Australia, with Barstools to match, the Black Stump Hotels walls are adorned with interesting history and different paraphernalia. It really is an iconic Australian experience. Enjoy an amazing dinner in the dining room where you can also chat with some locals.
Day 6 – Hillston to Bathurst via Parkes
After breakfast this morning we have some time to discover Hillston. Hillston is located on the banks of the Lachlan River and is well known for its beautiful parks and long streets. We take a walk down the main street and observe the stunning 19th Century Architecture. Take a walk across the swing bridge to see the river up close. We also visit the Willandra Homestead, a beautifully restored pastoral homestead. Take a look into the past with this fine example of colonial history. Back on the road again we now head towards the township of Parkes. Pass by Lake Cargelligo and Condobolin before arriving in Parkes. Here we have arranged a private tour of the well known Radio Telescope, also
known as The Dish. Go behind the scenes and find out about the remarkable history of The Dish and how Australia assisted the US during the 1960’s space race. Enjoy lunch at The Dish café on site. Rejoining the vehicle we now continue along The Henry Parkes Way towards Bathurst, our overnight destination. Check into the Bathurst Heritage Motor Inn.
Dinner tonight is at the Parkview Hotel. Located on Bathurst’s main street, it will be your last country meal before returning to Sydney. Relax and enjoy the great country hospitality.
Day 7 – Bathurst to Sydney
After breakfast this morning your guide will meet you for a quick tour of Bathurst. Admire the stunning 19th Century homes and charming main streets of Australia’s oldest inland town. We head around the famed Mount Panorama race track. Enjoy the views of Bathurst and the surrounding countryside. Continue along the Great Western Highway towards Lithgow and the Blue Mountains.
Lunch today is at the High Hopes Road House. Built in a disused Petrol Station, the road house oozes charm and a great home style menu. Relax and observe as day trippers from Sydney stop and enjoy this part of the Blue Mountains. Departing Bilpin continue along the Bells Line of Road towards Sydney, arriving around 5pm after an epic Outback Road trip.