This route traces the one taken by explorer Charles Sturt when he set out from Adelaide in 1844 to prove the existence of an inland sea. Running up through the magnificent Sturt National Park, the track takes you into the heart of corner country and across the Strzelecki Desert, joining the Strzelecki Track near Merty Merty Homestead.
The roads in this region are generally earth-formed and corrugated but despite plenty of bulldust, are usually suitable for conventional vehicles with care. They do, however, tend to be slippery when wet and it doesn't take much rain to make them impassable! Towing a caravan requires some experience of dirt-road driving and common sense.
All roads are signposted as to their current status, but you should call in at the local branch of the National Parks and Wildlife Service for the latest details. It's open weekdays, 8.30am - 4.30pm and is excellent close up source of local information. In good conditions, allow about six hours to do the whole trip.
Tibooburra has a couple of pubs, several places to eat, a motel, a caravan park, the usual facilities of a very small country town and a population hovering around 150. It is 338km north of Broken Hill on the Silver City Highway, a road that is generally not too bad and constantly being improved although you should keep an eye out for the drifts of sand and bulldust that can take you by surprise. Try to avoid the road between dusk and dawn - there are more kangaroos out here than you would ever have thought possible and you could easily end up collecting one of them.
From Tibooburra there are three roads providing access to Sturt National Park. One heads north on the Warri Gate road, another ventures east to Mount Wood, the other heads west to Cameron Corner. The west road leaves the granite tors of Tibooburra to run across the quartz fields and mulga of the gold-mining region, then passes through Mitchell grass plains to the 'jump-ups' (see below)and on to the red sand country of the Strzelecki Desert. The dunes are fairly well vegetated with native hop bush, sandhill wattles and grevilleas, crotalaria (rattlepods) and, in season, Sturt desert peas. Whilst initially fairly small, these sandhills rise to about 15m at a spacing of five to the kilometre above the claypans west of the Corner.
A number of pastoral holdings were combined to form the Sturt National Park in the early 1970s and there is still plenty of evidence of their existence. The terrain features what is commonly known as 'jump up country', where you suddenly ascend out of the basin of the sea that dried up 120 million years ago. Charles Sturt passed through here in 1845 and set up camp at Fort Grey, now one of the main picnic and camping grounds in the park.
There are two self-guided driving trails through Sturt, the Jump Up Loop and the Gorge Loop Roads, both around 100km long. Walking tracks start from most of the camping areas - stop at the visitor's centre and museum in Tibooburra for details of these and available camping sites. You will also be able to pick up information here about the pastoral museum at the old Mount Wood Homestead, a fascinating place that shouldn't be missed.
Cameron Corner, 138km north-west of Tibooburra, is where the state borders of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia intersect and was named after the man who surveyed the Queensland/New South Wales border in 1880.
The Dog Fence runs through Cameron Corner, access at this point being through a gate which should be kept shut at all times. At nearly 6000km, running from the Great Australian Bight in South Australia to the Great Dividing Range north west of Brisbane, it is the longest fence in the world. Parts of it were built at the turn of the century in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the rabbits. These sections were joined together in a continuous structure in the 1940s to protect the semiarid cattle country to the north and sheep country to the west from dingoes.
Beyond the border, you will pass Bollards Lagoon Homestead 15km away on the right. This is extremely arid country with many sand ridges and you have about 93km of it as you cross the expanse of the Strzelecki Desert. You shouldn't have too many problems as the route is fairly popular and generally well maintained, however you'd be wise to check its current condition with the store at Cameron Corner.
When you reach Merty Merty Homestead, you come to the intersection with the old Strzelecki Track. You can either turn north to Innamincka along this route (113km) or keep going for another 13km until you join the new Strzelecki Track, a main road along which it's 140km via Moomba to Innamincka. The old track is still navigable but haphazardly signposted and maintenance is poor. If you're planning to take it, get advice on current conditions from the Corner Store first.
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| Automobile Associations | NRMA Motoring & Services at Broken Hill | (08) 8087 2643 |
| RAA Copley | (08) 8675 2618 | |
| National Parks | National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Tibooburra | (08) 8091 3308 |
| Police | Tibooburra | (08) 8091 3303 |
| Road Conditions | NSW | (08) 8082 6660 |
| SA | 1300 361 033 | |
| Services | Cameron Corner Store | (08) 8091 3872 |
| Tourist Information | Broken Hill Visitor Centre | (08) 8087 6077 |
All information quoted on this site is correct as at December 2001 however the information could change without notice and National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited cannot accept responsibility for any consequences whatsoever.
A great camping spot in the Sturt National Park is at Fort Grey. I've been there this year. If you want to camp near Tibooburra, go to Dead Horse Gully. Jrg, Cologne, Germany.
When driving over the dunes between Merty Merty and Tibooburra, ensure you top the dunes slowly. Washaways and damaged road surfaces could well play havoc with your enjoyment. Beaut meals at the Tibooburra Road House. Bob, Moss Vale. June 2003.
A great track from Camerons Corner to Innamincka is via the Bore Track. Turn right at Bollards Lagoon station and for a donation travel through their property via salt pans, navigable dunes, creek beds and past gas wells.
For interesting scenery and no corrugations it's tops. I even towed a standard rear entry pop top. No sweat. Derrick, Collaroy.
When out on the dirt roads around Cameron's Corner in the far north west of the state, beware of the swarming flies. When attempting to have lunch I was surrounded by the flies. I eventually had to put a tea towel over my head to eat. Fionagirlie, New Lambton Heights.
Do your research BEFORE you leave home. Find out where Milparinka is, Pooles grave, Mt Poole and visit the cairn built by Sturt's men. At Milparinka ask at the pub for the key to the Court House, see the Pastoral Museum at Mt Wood, drive the two loop roads. Spend some money in all the towns so they will be there next time you visit. Spend some money at Cameron Corner. Donate some money to the Royal Flying Doctor Service as it will be them that saves you if you have an accident or illness. Enjoy the area, it is fabulous. Bruce Rover, Wahroonga.
Cameron Corner store now has airconditioned accommodation available. Very comfy and just what the doctor ordered for a night off camping. Great rates and terrific showers. Staff were really helpful and friendly too. Great burgers and steak sandwiches. Jodie, Mt Waverley.
When going through Tibooburra make sure you stop and say hello to the friendly natives. Have a beer with Pete at the Family Hotel and take time to soak up the atmosphere. Megan, Tibooburra.
As of July 2002 the old Strzelecki track to Innamincka is in quite good condition and is 50 odd km shorter than through Moomba. From Cameron Corner the turnoff is sign posted to Innamincka a few kilometres before Merty Merty homestead. Max, Canberra
Stop off at the Mootwingee National Park – full of dramatic scenery, a wide variety of bird life, crystal clear rock pools and ancient Aboriginal art. Vicky, Bourke
4WD
