Melbourne to Cobar road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Melbourne to Cobar road trip: Tocumwal to Griffith

Continue north through the small towns of Finley and Jerilderie, and you’ll eventually reach the junction with Kidman Way.

This lonely country road – also called the B87 – passes through vast swathes of rural New South Wales. It hits the Murrumbidgee River at Darlington Point, which is best known for hosting the Altina Wildlife Park, but has some pleasant riverside parkland too.

Shortly afterwards, you’ll start to see signs of the Griffith wine region. The Nugan Estate vineyards are right next to the Kidman Way.

Things to do in Griffith aside from wine-tasting include the Griffith Regional Art Gallery and Griffith Pioneer Park Museum. You can also go walking and peregrine falcon-watching in Cocoparra National Park.

The best places to stay in Griffith, NSW

The top Griffith accommodation options are:

For a cheap, but good quality, motel: Coro Club Motel.
For a four star with flair (and free private parking): The Gem.
For a business-friendly aparthotel: Quest Griffith.

Melbourne to Cobar road trip: Griffith to Cobar

The 391km drive from Griffith to Cobar brings big changes in the landscape, with a notably shift from country to outback.

The main noteworthy attractions near the route are Lake Cargelligo, where you can go swimming and kayaking, and the Round Hill Nature Reserve. Here, you can go for a walk along the fire trails.

On the way into mining town Cobar, you’ll pass the Fort Bourke Hill mine lookout on the way into town.

The best things to do in Cobar include the Great Cobar Museum, the Cobar Sound Chapel art installation and admiring the Aboriginal rock art in Mount Grenfell National Park.