Broken hill to Cameron Corner - the Dingo Fence

Driving along the Dog Fence

Introduction

Driving to Cameron Corner is high on the list for many outback travellers; not only as a destination but also as part of a more extensive journey.

Fewer places in outback Australia are more iconic than Cameron Corner, and the region that radiates out from Cameron Corner is known as the Corner Country. Cameron Corner is the surveyed northwest, and southwest corners of New South Wales and Queensland, respectively, and the point those borders join the South Australian border.

While not precisely defined, the boundary of the Corner Country includes the Darling River watershed in the south, the Simpson Desert in the west, and Charleville & Windorah in the northeast.

The journey starts at the Broken Hill Outback Resort then to Broken Hill with two great options for the route to Pine View Station; via Silverton and Eldee Station, or north to Mount Gipps Station then along Corona Road.

Broken Hill to Eldee or Mt Gipps

From Broken Hill, head out to historic Silverton and experience the many attractions and cafes it is worth spending a few hours. The drive to Eldee Station from Silverton it is only 29 km via the 'not to be missed' Mundi Mundi Plain, then north along the Barrier Ranges (southern section).

Alternatively, the route via Mount Gipps Station is a bit more direct.

Both routes join up about 70km north of each station. This route heads north on the eastern side of the Barrier Ranges (southern section).

About Silverton

Silverton, few outback localities are as iconic and attract visitors from far and wide to this little town on the edge of the real outback.

Visitors come to experience what was once a thriving mining town, which later becomes a ghost town, only to be currently re-inventing itself as the lively destination of museums, art galleries and unique cafes and gift shops.

Add to that a VERY iconic pub adorned with images of films made in the area, including Mad Max with Mel Gibson.

Eldee/Mt Gipps to Pine View

Heading north from Eldee Station, the drive is pure outback along Wilangee Rd across an ever-changing majestic landscape and a couple of ephemeral creek crossings that remind the visitor of the ancient catchment systems. These waterways flow west into Lake Frome and onto Lake Eyre. Wilangee Rd crosses Morphetts Creek (ephemeral) then into McDougalls Well Rd and onto Corona Rd.

If driving the Mount Gipps option, it is a straight drive along Corona Rd, over the Byjerkerno Ridge (333m) before reaching McDougalls Well Rd and joining with the Eldee Station route.

From there, the route follows Corona Rd and then Border Downs Rd which heads west south of Teilta Creek then north crossing the Teitla Creek and onto Pine View Station.

As the crow flies, Pine View is about 40% of the distance to Cameron Corner with the next section crossing Flood Creek (Flood was a member of Charles Sturt's Expedition) and then Packsaddle Creek which marks the halfway point of the journey.

Sturt's waterhole on Flood's Creek is located on Pine View.

After passing Sanpah Rd (37 km from Floods Creek), which heads east to just south of Packsaddle Roadhouse, the route crosses Lake Wallace Creek after 11 km, and then Border Downs Rd heads west before meeting the Wild Dog Fence.

Along the Fence

**** NOTE: The Wild Dog Fence maintenance track is for authorised vehicles only!! Keep to the road!**

The Wild Dog (Dingo) Fence

The Dingo Fence or Dog Fence is a pest-exclusion fence built in the 1880s (completed in 1885), to keep dingoes out of the relatively fertile southeast part of the continent and protect the sheep flocks of southern Queensland.

It is one of the longest structures in the world, stretching 5,614 kilometres from Jimbour on the Darling Downs near Dalby across outback Queensland to Cameron Corner and traversing South Australia to the Great Australian Bight near Nundroo, east of the Western Australian border.

The Queensland section of the fence comprises 2,500 km of the Great Barrier Fence as well as the Queensland Border Fence that runs 394 km along the Queensland/NSW border. The South Australian section follows the NSW/SA border for 257 km then joins the South Australian Dig Fence (2,225 km). The fence construction is mostly 180 cm high wire mesh.

The run north along the Dingo Fence is primarily straight for 7.5 km and crosses Lake Bookla and Yandaminta Creek (ephemeral) and continues along the Fence for another 23 km before joining Hawker Gate Rd; heading northeast for 31 km at which point joins Waka Rd just north of Yandama Creek.

The route continues north then northeast, crossing Green, and Paradise creeks, after 23km. Swinging northwest and crossing Tilcha Creek, before heading north to cross Stewart's Camp Creek and joining Cameron Corner Rd after 9 km.

Coming to the end of this epic adventure, Cameron Corner Rd enters Sturt NP after 6 km, passing Fort Grey Campground, then onto the Dunes Scenic Dr for the 22 km run to the Corner.

Spend a night in Cameron Corner before heading back to Tibooburra and Milparinka, or continue westward to the Strzelecki Track.

Points of interest along this route include:

• The historic village of Silverton
• Stay at the Award-winning Eldee Station or the iconic Mount Gipps Station
• The Rugged Barrier Ranges
• Ephemeral creeks
• The Wild Dog Fence
• Flood's Creek Campsite
• Sandhills, salt lake and pine forest
• Cameron Corner where three states meet.