The drive to Menindee Lakes was about 110 kms but as we had heard the lakes were full and pretty spectacular, we had decided it would be worth the journey.

Lake Pamamaroo was the first lake we explored – it was full, and the area around looked very fertile with gums and a variety of native plants flourishing. There were quite a few free camp spots along the lake which looked great places to stay…as it turned out Gordon and Kerry had stayed there and had left that morning – we missed them by about half an hour!!

We drove up to the outlet regulator area which controlled the outflow of the lake into the Darling River – there was a large amount of water flowing and the birdlife in the area were really enjoying it – there were birds in the water catching fish in the turbulent outflow!

The place where the Burke and Wills expedition had their base camp from 1860 til 1861 was nearby so we stopped and had a look around the area. Unfortunately, Burke and Wills headed out on an exploratory expedition from there to the interior in October 1860 and never returned, perishing in the interior.

There was a large weir at the Darling River near the lakes which stores water and helps regulate the flow of the Darling downstream.

We continued our drive into Kinchega National Park and stopped for lunch at a picnic spot just near Menindee Lake along a creek…. No one was in sight for our entire drive into the park but as soon as we sat down for lunch several cars drove in looking for spots to stop – seems we were the fortunate ones to have found the only picnic table around!! We enjoyed lunch…or most of us did…. Trev was unsure about the salad but cheered up when the Twisties made an appearance.

Menindee lake was very full too – it was great to see that the area had a good water supply…

The road through the national park was great even though it was unsealed…we drove on and came to Emu Lake – aptly named with a couple of emus wading in the water!!

The large Kinchega Station that was once a lucrative sheep station was our next stop. The farming began here in 1870 and was once over 800 000 hectares in size extending from Menindee to Broken Hill. In 1967 the Kinchega section was given over to the National Parks.

We had a look over the old woolshed and shearers quarters… and Rosie got talking to some young shearers who were on holiday – looking at shearing sheds!!

The old Kinchega homestead is in ruins – it was abandoned after the flood of 1957 but some parts still remain.

Leaving the national park, we drove into the small township of Menindee and grabbed a great coffee and amazingly a scorched peanut bar at the local store!!!

The drive home that afternoon really highlighted the arid landscape around Broken Hill as we left the lake area…

Getting closer to town the Mine was clearly visible on the horizon…. A dominant feature of Broken Hill….

Last night in Broken Hill – off to Milparinka tomorrow….