Hay to Mildura road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
The Hay to Mildura drive covers a 294km distance in a driving time of around 3h9m. The best stops along the way are Yanga National Park, Balranald and Robinvale.
The drive from Hay to Mildura is one that’s likely to form a leg of a longer road trip. For example, you’ll pass through this way if driving from Sydney to Alice Springs or Canberra to Perth.
Mildura is on the cusp of several excellent outback national parks, and offers winery and wetland tours. Book the best value Mildura accommodation before setting off.
Many will try to complete the Hay to Mildura road trip section as quickly as possible, but there are a few good stops along the way.
Hay to Mildura distance and driving time
The distance from Hay to Mildura is 294km. This makes for a driving time of around three hours and nine minutes.
Your Mildura checklist
- Find the best accommodation.
- Book a half day visit to the Trentham Estate Winery and Mildura Wetlands…
- … Or a nature-focused Hattah Lakes 4WD tour.
The first section is from Hay to Balranald in New South Wales along the Sturt Highway.
Hay to Mildura drive: Yanga National Park
The best road trip stop on the Hay to Balranald drive is Yanga National Park. There are two key components here, the first of which is the Yanga Woolshed by the Murrumbidgee River. This enormous woolshed is devoted to the shearing industry, and features tales of the record-breaking shearers who worked there.
The Yanga Woolshed is an incredibly atmospheric place to walk through.
The other key sight is the Yanga Homestead, which has been left as it was when the Yanga Station was shut down. It offers a fascinating insight into the management of a big pastoral property and has a pretty location by Yanga Lake.
The main attraction in Balranald is the Balranald Discovery Centre. This complex hosts a café, visitor information centre and an Interpretive Pavilion explaining the history of the region. The surrounding precinct also includes a children’s playground and a handful of heritage buildings.
Balranald can also be used as a base for exploring Mungo National Park. Outback Geo Adventures runs tours from here.
For Balranald accommodation with a pool, try the Sturt Motel or Balranald Motor Inn.
Click through to the next section: Balranald to Mildura.