Dubbo to Broken Hill road trip: Distance, driving time and attractions

The Dubbo to Broken Hill drive is 754km long, with a driving time of around 7h53m. The best road trip stops include Nyngan, Cobar and the Menindee Lakes.

The Dubbo to Broken Hill drive is an adventure through the New South Wales outback. For those who want to see the less polished side to Australia, and some impressive wide open spaces, it makes for a cracking road trip.

Find the best Broken Hill hotel deals.

Just be prepared to spend a lot of time behind the wheel…

Dubbo offers ghost tours, an observatory and a safari-style zoo. To find good quality Dubbo accommodation that suits your tastes, explore the options here.

Dubbo to Broken Hill distance and driving time

The distance from Dubbo to Broken Hill by car is 754km. That makes for a driving time of around seven hours and 53 minutes. Obviously, this can be done in a day’s hard slog. But you’re much better off breaking the journey and seeing a few attractions along the way.

After a visit to Dubbo Zoo, the first leg of the Dubbo to Broken Hill drive is from Dubbo to Nyngan. Shortly after leaving Dubbo, you’ll arrive in Narromine. Attractions here include the vintage aircraft at the Narromine Aviation Museum and Tom Perry Park. This is where you’ll find a statue of Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath, Narromine’s famous cricketing son.

Dubbo to Broken Hill drive: Trangie and Nyngan

Shortly after Narromine comes Trangie. The top attraction here is the Wungunja Cultural Centre, which showcases Aboriginal art and houses important Indigenous artefacts. It’s a good spot for a little cultural education.

The Mitchell Highway meets the Barrier Highway in Nyngan. Here, the Nyngan Museum covers local history, but the top photo stop is the Big Bogan statue. This is one of the silliest of Australia’s absurd roadside Big Things.

Nyngan accommodation options include the passable Alamo Motor Inn.

Dubbo to Broken Hill road trip: Cobar attractions

There are slim pickings on the drive from Nyngan to Cobar. Have a peek at the former Mount Boppy Gold Mine in Canbelego if you’re desperate, but your time is better spent in Cobar.

Things to do in Cobar include delving into copper mining heritage in the Great Cobar Museum and getting weirded out at the Cobar Sound Chapel art installation.

Cobar accommodation options include the Cobar Caravan Park and Cross Roads Motel.

The stretch from Cobar to Broken Hill is big open sky territory, with stark desert scenery along the Barrier Highway.

Dubbo to Broken Hill drive: Mount Grenfell and Wilcannia

Just outside of Cobar, Mount Grenfell National Park is brimming with Aboriginal rock art. But there’s not a lot else to see if you stick to the highway. Wilcannia is the main settlement, and the delicenced Queens Head Hotel has been turned into a gallery and accommodation.

Detours to White Cliffs and Menindee

But you’re best of taking a bigger detour and spending the night in either White Cliffs or Menindee. In White Cliffs, you can tour the Red Earth opal mine, sleep in an underground hotel and explore the Paroo-Darling National Park.

In Menindee, you can visit the Kinchega National Park or take a cruise along the Darling River and Menindee Lakes aboard the River Lady.

Broken Hill, when you finally get there, is perhaps the classic outback city. Things to do in Broken Hill include seeing the Living Desert sculptures and visiting the Mad Max II Museum in Silverton.

More New South Wales travel

Chill out at Currarong Beach in Jervis Bay.

Watch the ocean crash as you swim at Wylie’s Baths in Coogee.

How long is the Silver City Highway drive from Mildura to Broken Hill.

Driving times to Moree, NSW.

How long does the Moree to Sydney train take?