Territory capital · Australia
Ivanhoe
Rest stop, not a night: Ivanhoe is a short break on the Cobb Highway (B75) or the weekly XPL train. Sleep only if you arrive late — fuel, food and beds are limited (check).
Ivanhoe is a tiny Far West service town of a few hundred people on the Cobb Highway (B75), 162 km south of the Barrier Highway turnoff near Wilcannia and 211 km from Hay. There is one fuel stop, one pub-style inn and one weekly train each way on the Broken Hill XPL. Treat it as a break in a long drive, not a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Apr–Sep (milder days); Oct–Mar is hot — check current conditions
- avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat likely); avoid unsealed roads after rain
- Airport
- BHQ
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ivanhoe000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ivanhoe, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetySafe as a stop, risky as a detour: the real hazards are heat, distance between fuel, patchy phone signal and unsealed roads after rain.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBHQ Broken Hill Airport (Nearest scheduled airport, west of town; distance and flights check before you rely on it).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or takeaway snack2026 estimateA$5–10 (≈ US$4–7)
- Budget bedSingle or dual cabin at the inn and servo, a night, per roomA$90 (≈ US$60)
- Mid-range bedSingle or dual cabin at the inn and servo, a night, per roomA$130 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedSingle or dual cabin at the inn and servo, a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$80 (≈ US$55) · Mid A$130 (≈ US$90) · High A$200 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BHQ Broken Hill Airport (Nearest scheduled airport, west of town; distance and flights check before you rely on it)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Feb
Care
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Care
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Mar–Nov. Mixed: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jul (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jun (6 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ivanhoe: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Feb
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Jul
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The Cobb Highway is sealed; the Ivanhoe–Menindee road is unsealed and remote, drive it only in dry weather with water and a full tank. The train station is about 3 km south of town with no connecting public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wilcannia
goDoor to door: 162 km; time check
Cobb Highway (B75) north to the Barrier Highway turnoff
Fuel and supplies before the Barrier Highway; confirm services are open.
Menindee
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h (check)
Ivanhoe–Menindee road, unsealed, about 206 km (128 mi)Ivanhoe–Menindee road, unsealed, about 128 mi (206 km)
Dry weather only; remote even by Outback standards.
Door to door: Road time check; train is one service a week
Cobb Highway west via Menindee, or the weekly XPL train
Too far for a comfortable return day; the unsealed Menindee leg needs dry conditions.
Hay
goDoor to door: 211 km; time check
Cobb Highway (B75) south
Straight, tiring road; plan a music or podcast stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre, Columbus Street
The inn and servo is the practical bed; book ahead, rooms are few.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$80–120 (≈ US$55–80) excl. bed (2026 estimate)
- Mid
- A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed (2026 estimate)
- High
- A$180 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed (2026 estimate)
Trip budget
| Single or dual cabin at the inn and servo1 × 1 night × A$130 | A$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$130 | A$260 |
| Fuel top-up, one tank1 × A$90 · 2026 estimate | A$90 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 · 2026 estimate | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$53 |
| Trip total≈ A$292 per person per day, bed included | A$583≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate; check availability
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and long drives excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or takeaway snack2026 estimate | A$5–10 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Pub meal2026 estimate | A$20–35 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Fuel, per litre2026 estimate; higher in remote towns | A$2.00–2.30 (≈ US$2) |
| Cabin, one night2026 estimate | A$90–180 (≈ US$60–120) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fuel and food are limited: fill up and carry water before the next leg.
- Unsealed roads (Ivanhoe–Menindee) can be impassable after rain; check road conditions.
- Mobile coverage is patchy outside town; download offline maps.
- Summer heat is dangerous: do not walk or drive remote tracks in the middle of the day.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
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IvanhoeIvanhoe
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No embassies here; nearest consular help is in Sydney or Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cobb Highway, Ivanhoe → Hay: about 211 km (131 mi), 2.5 h by carabout 131 mi (211 km), 2.5 h by car
- XPL train, Ivanhoe → Broken Hill: one train a week, book on Transport for NSW
Say or show
- Where is the fuel station? — Where is the fuel station?
- How far to the next town? — How far to the next town?
- Is the road sealed? — Is the road sealed?
Carry water and a full tank; phone signal is patchy.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ivanhoe. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Sep (milder days); Oct–Mar is hot — check current conditions · avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat likely); avoid unsealed roads after rain · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Fuel, water and last-food cutoffs checked for the Cobb Highway and the Ivanhoe–Menindee road.
- Weekly XPL train times and bookings confirmed against Transport for NSW.
- Road-condition and heat fixtures so the stop-or-stay call goes green in summer.
Sources
Ask about Ivanhoe
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