The drive from Pooncarie to Wentworth offers the perfect opportunity to visit the World Heritage Mungo National Park, accessible via the sealed eastern route. Alternatively, you can take the Western route along the unsealed High Darling Road/Low Darling Road to Wentworth.
Heading south on Pooncarie Road for 21km take a left turn onto Top Hut Road and follow the signs to Mungo National Park, part of the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area. Covering most of an ancient dry lakebed, it’s filled with breathtaking landscapes and Aboriginal artefacts dating back over 40,000 years. See the park’s dramatic formations, explore its pastoral heritage and book a tour with an Aboriginal guide to walk the Mungo lunette, also known as the “Walls of China”.
The main eastern route from Pooncarie is 118km to Wentworth where you will conclude your journey (or maybe you started) on the Darling River Run.
Located where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet, Wentworth is the region’s oldest European heritage settlement. It was here that Captain Charles Sturt named the Murray River after recognising the end of the Darling on 23 January 1830. You can explore more of Wentworth’s fascinating history by following the self-guided heritage trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
See the Murray-Darling River confluence, visit Junction Park and climb the observation tower to see the impressive sight of the mighty Murray and Darling rivers converging. Explore the amazing Perry Sandhills formed by thousands of years of wind erosion, the continuously shifting red dunes of prehistoric Perry Sandhills are a sight to behold.
East Route: 118km (Sealed road)
- Pooncarie Road
West Route: 123km (Gravel Road)
- High Darling Road / Low Darling Road