Sydney to Broken Hill road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time

Sydney to Broken Hill road trip: Cobar and detours before Broken Hill

Once on the Barrier Highway, you quickly enter the true outback. There’s not much to see on the leg from Nyngan to Cobar, although you can have a look at the former Mount Boppy Gold Mine in Canbelego.

Things to do in Cobar include learning about the copper mining heritage in the Great Cobar Museum and enjoying the delightfully weird Cobar Sound Chapel art installation.

Cobar accommodation recommendations

The best places to stay in Cobar are:

For a decent-sized pool and kitchenettes: Crossroads Motel.
For – usually – the cheapest prices: Copper City Motel.
For family rooms and a restaurant: Cobar Town and Country Motor Inn.

Just outside of Cobar, Mount Grenfell National Park has a wealth of Aboriginal rock art. Otherwise, Wilcannia is the last realistic stop on the Barrier Highway before Broken Hill. Here, the delicenced Queens Head Hotel is now a gallery and accommodation.

However, there are two bigger detours worth considering before Broken Hill. One goes north to White Cliffs, where you can visit the Red Earth opal mine, sleep in an underground hotel and explore Paroo-Darling National Park.

The other detour is south to Menindee, where you can dip into Kinchega National Park or take a cruise along the Menindee Lakes aboard the River Lady.

Things to do in Broken Hill include wandering around the Living Desert sculptures and enjoying the Mad Max II Museum in Silverton. Be aware that Broken Hill is on South Australian time, and set your watch accordingly.