Head off the bitumen and into Central Darling Shire top 5 spots

In Short

Subterranean Living: Discover White Cliffs, where locals live in "dugouts" to beat the heat and mine rare "Pineapple" opals.

Historic River Hubs: Explore the "Queen City" of Wilcannia and the Kinchega Woolshed, icons of Australia’s 19th-century wool and riverboat boom.

Nature & Culture: Witness the dramatic sunsets of Menindee Lakes and the 40,000-year-old Barkindji heritage at Paroo-Darling National Park.

Forget the manicured hedges of the coast. In the Central Darling Shire, the horizon doesn’t just end—it glows. This is the "Real Outback," a land where the red dirt meets the big blue sky, and the mighty Baaka (Darling River) carves a lifeblood through the ancient plains.

Believe us when we tell you: there is a specific kind of magic here. It’s in the sandstone ruins, the shimmer of an opal, and the g’day of a local who actually has time for a yarn.

If you’re ready to trade the traffic for the Darling River Run, here are the top five destinations you absolutely cannot miss.

1. White Cliffs: The Town Where People Live Underground

Imagine a landscape that looks more like the Moon than New South Wales. White Cliffs is Australia’s oldest commercial opal field, but its real claim to fame is its "dugouts." To escape the summer heat, the locals live in underground homes carved directly into the white rock.

The Experience: Spend a night at the Underground Motel. It’s whisper-quiet, naturally climate-controlled, and an architectural marvel.

Don’t Miss: The "Pineapple" opals—rare, spiky crystal formations found nowhere else on Earth.

Read: The White Cliffs gem-stone dinosaur and Inside the White Cliffs opal pineapple mines

2. Menindee & Kinchega National Park: An Inland Oasis

Menindee is the oldest European settlement on the Darling River, but its history goes back thousands of years as a vital hub for the Barkindji people. It’s also where the ill-fated explorers Burke and Wills had their last civilised meal at the Maiden’s Hotel before heading north.

The Experience: Explore the Kinchega Woolshed, a massive relic of the pastoral era that once echoed with the sound of six million sheep being shorn.

Pro Tip: Sunset at the Menindee Lakes is mandatory. The sight of flooded dead gums silhouetted against a purple sky is a photographer’s dream.

Read: Menindee - Discover the Outback and Pelicans Descend on Menindee Lake

3. Wilcannia: The Queen City of the West

Once the third-largest inland port in the country, Wilcannia is a time capsule of the 19th-century riverboat boom. Walking through town feels like stepping onto a film set, with grand sandstone buildings like the Post Office and Courthouse standing as monuments to a bygone era.

The Experience: Take the Heritage Trail (using the Shire’s free app) to learn about the paddle-steamers that once choked the river with wool.

The Vibe: Authentic and raw. Stop by the local arts centre to see incredible work by Barkindji artists.

Read: Wilcannia's Supermarket is at the Heart of the Community and Wilcannia Declared an RV Friendly Town

4. Tilpa: The Shortest Heritage Trail in Australia

The tiny settlement of Tilpa is proof that some of the best things come in small packages. It’s famous for having a cemetery with no one in it (it was established for future use) and a heritage trail that is literally just a few metres long.

The Experience: Pull up a stump at the Tilpa Hotel. This iconic corrugated iron pub is the heart of the community. You can even pay a small fee to sign the walls and all proceeds go to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Stay: Check into a nearby farm stay like Trilby Station for a taste of true outback station life.

Read: Tilpa - The Tiny Town with a Big Heart and Back to Tilpa 2024

5. Paroo-Darling National Park: Where the Wetlands Bloom

North of Wilcannia lies the Paroo-Darling National Park, home to the Peery Lake. This is one of the few places in Australia where you can see the end of a river system. When the rains come, the dry lake bed transforms into a thriving wetland teeming with birdlife.

The Experience: Visit the Coach and Horses Campground for a bush camp experience right on a bend of the Darling.

Cultural Connection: The area is deeply significant to the Barkindji people, with ancient middens and stone arrangements telling stories of a 40,000-year-old connection to the land.

Read: The Darling River Run - One of Australia's Best Roadtrips

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit: April to October, when the days are mild and the nights are crisp.

Road Safety: Many roads are unsealed. Always check the Central Darling Shire Road Report before heading out, especially after rain.

The Rig: You don’t strictly need a 4WD for the main towns, but a high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended for the National Parks and back tracks.