Wed, 19th Nov, 2025 (pm) Bush camp by Lake Cawndilla, south of Menindee to Menindee Lake Lookout, north of Menindee, NSW (Darling River Run - Menindee and lakes)

We headed back out. There are a few spot close to Menindee Lake that would make a nice picnic area too.

A big Red kangaroo and his wife and two joeys were sitting under a tree but weren’t worried about us passing by. A mum with joey had no road sense - jumped off the track to the left then promptly turned around and jumped straight back across us to get to the other side! We are prepared for them now so no close calls. Well we were until an emu darted out from the bush but we missed him - crazy wildlife!

Turned back onto the main road and headed towards Menindee township running alongside the lake. Stopped at the Information Shelter at the turn off to more camp spots along the Darling River. NP info about camping too - for a day fee of $8 you can use all the areas, nice BBQs etc at day use spots but if you want to park up for the night by the river Too much light on the info boards so just zoomed in on the relevant info and pictures.

The Outlet Regulator is here too which allows the water from Menindee Lake to flow into the Darling River. The water is being sucked in here and through the regulator then out into the ‘creek’ to join the river.

We drove down the track beside the ‘creek’ to a camping spot at where the lake water meets the Darling River.

Up and downstream of the Darling.

These trees are hanging in there.

In the shrubs we found a pile of carp carcasses that something has dug up. Good to see they are being removed but not so nice to see at a campsite.

Back out to the main road and continue towards Menindee township. This looks like the area where the channels were dug out that we saw in the photo.

Into Menindee. Sign says ‘elevation 70 population 550’. Around to the old punt crossing site on the Darling River.

Down by the river - maybe that’s the other landing spot. Now we have a bridge.

A memorial plaque here by the river too.

Back up the road to the Darling River Run information boards near the Maiden’s Hotel.

Continued along the road checking out the history plaques as we went. There is a new modern hall now.

Across the road to a small park with time line boards along the fence. Well done.

Nice murals.

Back to the truck and along to the railway station.

Then the rail bridge. Don’t think vehicles get to drive on this bridge anymore.

Down a dirt track to the site of the old wharf. No info here but I found this photo on the timeline boards.

Continued on the dirt track through the trees to the ‘free camp’ area by the river.

Back onto the bitumen and we found some more history boards in the next street.

Onto the road to head out to Lake Pamamaroo. The servo sign said it was 36 degrees. 

Turned off first to check out Dost Mahomet’s grave. He was one of Burke & Wills’ camel drivers.

Continued on with the Broken Hill water pipeline on our right then we crossed over it.

Turned onto gravel road at a big farm shed - Texas Fresh. Probably the worst corrugations we have been on! Pamamaroo Lake came into view.

Lots of free camps along the water’s edge here and plenty of people using them.

Stopped at the Outlet Regulator - no big concrete frame on the lake side. No water gushing out either. This is Pamamaroo Creek that flows into the Darling River.

Along to the end where the Inlet Regulator is and we find the Darling River again.

This map shows some of the lakes and the Darling River.

Back along the track a bit then we turned off. There is another lake -Tandure Lake and another big one, Wetherell Lake. Sign says this is Wetherell Lake Outlet Regulator but the water was being pumped via these pipelines under the road at the moment as they are doing work on the other side. The Darling River continues from here.

Continued on - I spotted an eagle in its nest high up in a dead tree in the water.

Along to the end of the road to the main weir which held back the water to create Wetherell Lake. There are lots of lakes involved in this water scheme.

No water being released at the moment via the weir - it is going through the outlet regulator. The birds are still be finding plenty to eat. Still a lot of carp going along the weir edge.

Back to the main track then down into the camping area beside Pamamaroo Creek. Burke and Wills stopped here and a character called Tarzan. There are a few travellers parked here.

We headed back along the lake’s edge and found a shady spot to stop for a cuppa.

More puffy clouds appearing. Headed back out and onto the bitumen and continued on around Menindee Lake. There is a sand ridge between us and the lake’s edge. We turned off and over the sand ridge to the Lookout. No info, just some space to park.

There is a wide manmade canal from Lake Parmamroo that allows the water to flow into Menindee Lake.

The railway line runs beside the lake too.

We crossed over the railway line and walked down to the weir. More carp!

The lake looks nice - view back up the canal.

Back to the truck and back onto the main road. We passed a sign stating the canal is an ‘Interconnecting Channel’ as we crossed over it.

We passed the West Road turn off that will take us to Wilcannia tomorrow. Continued going around the lake then we turned off into Sunset Strip. I had seen this on the map and thought this was a lookout with a good spot to watch the sun set from. Might be good for sunset but it is golf course, pub and is full of houses. A few houses look lived in but most look like holiday homes. Some had quirky decorations.

Unfriendly feel with big fences and ‘signs’. There is one long street - one side has the lake view the other has the railway line!

We drove back to the park near the pub and wandered over to check out the ‘Walk of Fame’. It highlights the movies that have been made in the area - a lot at Broken Hill and Silverton. Info in the hut then the metal cuts along the walk. Not sure why only one person has their name on the plaque. What happened to Tom Cruise’s plaque?

Info about camping areas too.

A few people at the pub. I zoomed in on the picnic area, war memorial? Probably would be a good spot for sunset.

We went down another street in the other direction - more house and a boat ramp. No spot for us to camp up for the night so we headed back to the lookout spot.

Set up in the shade of some trees. Drinks and cards inside. Rang Wendy and David for a chat.

Went outside to watch the sun set. The clouds are getting thicker.

Lou rang to say one of the old Speedway chaps had passed away. Rolly was the Formula 500 commenter. Sad loss for his family.

The cloud band blocked the actual sun set but it is very pretty any case with the after glow.

It is very still - put my fan on for a change.

A vehicle drove in then turned around and drove out. A bit later it returned with another vehicle - strange. Only stayed a short while and off they went again.

9pm the wind has started up again. Realised I had forgotten to our camp photo.