The Long Paddock
Must do
From Wilcannia in North Western NSW to Echuca-Moama on the Victorian border, The Long Paddock stretches over 600 km along the Cobb Highway.
Real outback adventure on the Long Paddock Route
If you've ever wanted to get out and experience the wide open spaces of country NSW, then this is the perfect drive for you.
The Long Paddock touring route follows the length of the Cobb Highway (610 km) from Echuca Moama on the Victorian border, north to Wilcannia in NSW. It follows the stock routes that criss-cross Australia, when drovers used open stretches of unfenced land for moving stock or as feed in times of drought.
Itinerary
Moama to Mathoura: Check out some of the fabulous local food and wine or drive north along the Cobb Highway and stop in Mathoura, 40km from Moama. Here you'll find the country's largest redgum forest, along with great fishing and bird-watching opportunities.
Mathoura to Deniliquin: Keep driving to Deniliquin - a town at the edge of the Outback and regarded as the world's 'ute capital'. If you're visiting on the October long weekend you can experience the Deni Ute Muster - a salute to the iconic Aussie vehicle. Otherwise, a trip to Peppin Heritage Centre will get you into the ute spirit and allow you to soak up the history of the region's wool and sheep breeding industry. You can't miss this place - it's the one with the colourful mosaic ute out the front.
Deniliquin: Grab some lunch before taking time to admire the town's restored architecture, hike along a beautiful forest trail, or drive north to view Conargo's panoramic sunset views. For dinner, the locals swear by the RSL, and you'll find plenty of places to stay the night in town.
Deniliquin to Booroorban: Back on the road, pass through Pretty Pine and Wanganella, and pause to view the ARTback sculpture at Black Swamp before stopping in Booroorban. Stop for a cool refreshment at the Royal Mail Hotel, an original staging post on the Cobb & Co run, and admire the 'Headless Horseman' painting in the bar.
Booroorban to Hay: Booroorban is a bird lover's paradise so you may wish to spend some more time here or continue over the vast saltbush plain - some of southern hemisphere's flattest terrain - into Hay. See the 'Lang's Crossing' ARTback sculpture on the riverbank, learn about the town's pioneering, pastoral and goldrush history at one of its museums or celebrate the history of Australian shearing at the award-winning Shear Outback interpretive centre. Here you can explore a staggering array of exhibits and paraphernalia, all devoted to the art of shearing. Tour the Shearers' Hall of Fame and the historic Murray Downs Woolshed; and check out the ever-evolving calendar of events and programs. You'll find something tasty for dinner on Lachlan Street, and Hay offers numerous accommodation options, including motels and outback farmstays.
Hay to Booligal: Drive 38km north to see the remains of the One Tree Hotel. A popular staging post in its day, it was made famous by Banjo Patterson's poem Hay and Hell and Booligal, and is today a fascinating reminder of a bygone era. Continue north past sprawling paddocks and station homesteads to Booligal. Check out the annual sheep races, have a drink at the Duke of Edinburgh hotel, or simply marvel at the expanse of dusty open plains.
Booligal to Ivanhoe: Proceed 90 minutes to Ivanhoe to follow the town's heritage trail through eight historically significant locations - most of which are located within a block of the main street. Stop for lunch at the RSL before returning to your car.
Ivanhoe to Wilcannia: It's a two-hour drive to Wilcannia, once one of Australia's busiest inland ports. Today a much quieter town, Wilcannia still boasts plenty of historic treasures, including well-preserved sandstone buildings and a National Trust-listed bridge. From here, you can connect up with The Darling River Run where there is plenty more to explore.
Gallery
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Shear Outback, Hay.
Shear Outback. A shearer laying out the shorn wool in front of tourists, Hay. Image Paul Foley
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Deniliquin court house
Deniliquin historic court house, Riverina. Image Damien Ford
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Drovers, Hay
Three drovers with their dogs, Hay, Outback NSW. Image Mike Newling
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Port of Echuca, The Murray
Port of Echuca wharf on the Murray river, The Murray. Image Rob Blackburn
Long Paddock Route - don't miss things to do
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Berton Vineyards Griffith Area, Country NSW, Griffith
Berton Vineyards is a locally owned winery producing quality wines.It is a contemporary winery with an emphasis on all that is casual, friendly and ap...
www.bertonvineyards.com.a- Additional Information
- View details
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Dunera Day at Hay
Griffith Area, Country NSW, Hay
*** Latest event details are yet to be confirmed ***Dunera Day will commemorate the 71st anniversary of the Dunera Boys arrival in Hay, which was a ma...
- Additional Information
- Monday 3 September
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Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome Museum
Deniliquin Area, Country NSW, Tocumwal
The Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome Museum documents the history of and the importance of Mcintyre Airfield in Tocumwal, and also post war operations when...
www.tham.org.au- Additional Information
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Outback Ultimate
Broken Hill, Menindee, Silverton, Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Outback NSW
This six-day adventure experience includes a taste of the Outback near Broken Hill before heading off on our classic tour into the "corner country" wi...
www.cornercountryadventur- Additional Information
- Extended.
- View details
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Lavande Aromatiques Lavender Farm
Griffith Area, Country NSW, Narrandera
Lavende Aromatiques Lavender Farm is situated in sunny Narrandera and is a worldwide supplier of dried lavender, essential lavender oil and exquisitel...
www.lavande.com.au- Additional Information
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Murrumbidgee Championship Sheep Dog Trials
Griffith Area, Country NSW, Narrandera
Murrumbidgee Sheep Dog Championships is a showcase of the top dog handlers and their dogs in action.Handlers and their dogs work three sheep over a co...
www.narrandera.nsw.gov.au- Additional Information
- Friday 28 September
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Monday 1 October - View details
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Altina Wildlife Park
Griffith Area, Country NSW, Surrounds
This outstanding Altina Wildlife Park has unique personalised tours, accomplished in style via a Horse Drawn Cart furnished with comfortable seats. Th...
www.altinawildlife.com- Additional Information
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Ned Kelly Blacksmith Shop
Deniliquin Area, Country NSW, Jerilderie
Step back in time and experience yesteryear, hear an eye witness account of the raid on Jerilderie, bank of New South Wales by Ned Kelly and his gang...
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Leeton SunRice Centre
Griffith Area, Country NSW, Leeton
The SunRice Centre is located at the Leeton Rice Mill and has an excellent presentation on Australia's rice industry including video, photographi...
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Griffith Cottage Gallery
Griffith Area, Country NSW, Griffith
Owned and operated by local artist Diane Tarr, the Griffith Cottage Gallery specialises in promoting local and regional artists.Through its monthly ex...
www.griffithcottagegaller- Additional Information
- View details
NSWTips: Final call, time to make your booking to experience the NSW Outback http://t.co/fbP0OAMD #Outback #NSW
Thu, 24 May 2012NSWTips: Learning to fly in New South Wales with @JohnONolan http://t.co/IG1qYsag #flying #NSW
Thu, 24 May 2012See all our latest videos on Youtube.
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