Series 5: Episode 2
On Air 16th May 2009
In our second episode for series 5, Frankie J. Holden, his wife Michelle Pettigrove and gorgeous Georgia, who’s six, explore the Darling River Run. The river, which starts in Queensland and flows a massive 3370 kilometres to Wentworth in New South Wales, was the lifeblood and lifeline to the thriving outback community.
Paddle steamers brought supplies to towns along the Darling, and then transported wool into major ports.
On this special trip, Frankie and Michelle begin their journey at Broken Hill, which is also known as the unofficial capital of outback NSW… they stay at the Broken Hill City Caravan Park, which has every type of accommodation for the outback traveller… from basic camping sites to luxury en-suite cabins… and the best thing about this place is that its great for the kids… there’s a swimming pool, playground and fantastic BBQ area… all within a stones throw of the centre of town.
Surrounding the Silver City, that is Broken Hill, is a smorgasbord of attractions, that you’ll never see in the city.
First the magnificent Desert Sculptures dot the landscape at the Living Desert reserve… you’ve never seen anything like these artistic monuments, created by artists around the world.
Next stop it’s the Silverton Hotel… which has featured in many box office hits including the sequel to Mad Max… they’re a friendly bunch here, but be warned, they love to play jokes on unsuspecting visitors!!!!
Then a magnificent sunset at the Mundi Mundi Plain… its simply awe inspiring.
From there the family travels to Menindee Lakes, a seedless grape farm and settles in for an authentic Aussie campfire experience at Bindara Station, where the accommodation is quaint refurbished huts which used to be home to the property’s boundary riders.
Pooncarie is next on the list… that is after Frank and Michelle work out how to fix a flat tyre in the outback without an instruction manual in their hire car!!!!
Luckily café owner John Kohe welcomed the family with a cup of tea and a chat… it’s a long way from Perth to Pooncarie, but now he’s made the (pardon the pun) sea change, he says wild horses couldn’t drag him out of his slice of heaven.
About an hour down the road is the Mungo National Park… one of the first sites ever to be world heritage listed… the landscape is dotted with thousands of sandhills… some are thirty metres high!!!
Frank, Michelle and Georgia stay at the luxurious Mungo Lodge… after a stunning dinner cooked by French manager and chef Jacques, it was time for bed, and this place is five star hands down.
After breakfast on the last day of the epic Darling adventure, the family travels to Wentworth where the river meets the Mighty Murray… the exact spot is known as the confluence of Australia’s two greatest waterways… oh, and Wentworth is also the birthplace of the worlds first monument to a tractor… you’ve got to see it to believe it.!!!!!
In this episode we also showcase the versatile and economic Kimberly “MY CUBE”… you don’t even need to tow before you go with this little beauty!!!!
And who can forget the wonderful competitions we’re renown for here at Discover Downunder… the 2009 series kicks of with a Kimberly Kamper up for grabs… you can enter as many times as you like…how easy is that????
That’s all for this episode but don’t forget to join us next week, when we “Discover Downunder”
Holiday Parks
- Broken Hill City Caravan Park
Rakow Street (Adelaide Rd)
Phone: (08) 8087 3841
Free Call: 1800 803 842
Fax: (08) 8088 7188
Email: bhttp@bigpond.net.au
Web: www.toptouristparks.com.au
- Bindara on the Darling
Old Pooncarie Road, Via Broken Hill NSW
Phone: (08) 8091 7412
Mobile: 0429 917 412
Fax: (08) 8091 7420
Email: bindarastation@bigpond.com
Web: www.bindarastation.com
- Mungo Lodge
Arumpo Road via Mildura VIC
Phone: (03) 5029 7297
Fax: (03) 5029 7296
Email: manager@mungolodge.com.au
Web: www.mungolodge.com.au
RV Showcase
Kimberley MYCUBE
20-24 Piper Drive Ballina NSW
Phone: (02) 6686 7344
Fax: (02) 6681 3680
Email: sales@kimberleygroup.com.au
Web: www.mycube.net.au
Contacts
- Silverton Hotel
Layard St Silverton NSW
Phone: (08) 8088 5313
Fax: (08) 8088 6030
- Nation’s Fruit & Veg Shop
PO Box 227 Menindee NSW
Phone: (08) 8091 4215
Fax: (08) 8091 4540
Email: tassieandjohn@bigpond.com.au
- Pooncarie Old Wharf Site Gallery and Café
PO Box 43 Pooncarie NSW
Phone: (03) 5029 5229
Email: auslit@bigpond.com