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Major city · Australia

Wilcannia

Fuel, food and a look at the heritage main street: 1–2 hours. Sleep at the caravan park north of town, or drive on to Broken Hill.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Wilcannia sits where the Barrier Highway crosses the Darling River, about 200 km east of Broken Hill. It is a small Barkindji town with a run of 1870s–1890s stone buildings and an old lift-span bridge, and it is also one of the most disadvantaged places in New South Wales. Most travellers treat it as a fuel-and-food stop; a few stay at the caravan park north of the centre instead of in town.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Apr–Sep
avoid Dec–Feb (heat, often 35–40 °C (95–104 °F)); avoid all unsealed roads after rain
Airports
BHQ · SYD
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

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

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 Wilcannia000 ▾

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 Wilcannia, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or cold drinkA$5–8 (≈ US$4–6)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
  • Budget bedPowered caravan or camping site, a night, per personA$20 (≈ US$14)
  • Mid-range bedCaravan-park cabin, a night, per roomA$140 (≈ US$95)
  • High-end bedCaravan-park cabin, a night, per roomA$200 (≈ US$140)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$60 (≈ US$40) · Mid A$120 (≈ US$80) · High A$220 (≈ US$150)

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.

Darling River crossing on the Barrier Highway1870s–1890s heritage main streetOld lift-span bridgeBarkindji country
Airports
BHQ Broken Hill Airport (Nearest scheduled airport, about 200 km (124 mi) west; QantasLink flights from Sydney and Adelaide) · SYD Sydney Airport (Longest common approach: about 950 km (590 mi) by road via the Barrier Highway)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    35°C (95°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  5. May

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    28°C (82°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    32°C (90°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    35°C (95°F)

Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (36°C (97°F)), coolest Jul (4°C (39°F) low), wettest Jun (6 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Wilcannia: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

36°C (97°F)

20°C (68°F)

4 rd

Feb

35°C (95°F)

20°C (68°F)

4 rd

Mar

31°C (88°F)

16°C (61°F)

4 rd

Apr

26°C (79°F)

12°C (54°F)

4 rd

May

21°C (70°F)

8°C (46°F)

5 rd

Jun

17°C (63°F)

5°C (41°F)

6 rd

Jul

17°C (63°F)

4°C (39°F)

6 rd

Aug

19°C (66°F)

5°C (41°F)

5 rd

Sep

24°C (75°F)

8°C (46°F)

5 rd

Oct

28°C (82°F)

12°C (54°F)

5 rd

Nov

32°C (90°F)

16°C (61°F)

5 rd

Dec

35°C (95°F)

19°C (66°F)

4 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 vehicle. The town is small enough to walk in 15–20 minutes, but fuel, the caravan park and the highway are spread along the Barrier Highway. Local roads are unsealed gravel and can be impassable after rain; call 08 8091 5155 for road conditions before leaving the highway.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

White Cliffs

caution

Door to door: About 1.5 h each way

Unsealed road north from Wilcannia, about 95 km (59 mi)

Opal town with underground dugouts; the road is gravel and closes after rain. Check conditions first.

Menindee

go

Door to door: About 1.5 h each way

Barrier Highway west, then the sealed road south

Lakes and birdlife when the Darling system is flowing; dry in drought years.

Broken Hillovernight

Door to door: About 2 h each way

Barrier Highway west, about 200 km (124 mi)

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there and use it as your regional base.

Ivanhoe

caution

Door to door: About 2.5 h each way

Cobb Highway south, unsealed for most of the way

Very isolated; expect no other traffic and no services. 4WD advised.

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.

Caravan park north of town

The usual choice: away from the town centre, powered sites and cabins.

Highway motel

One motel on the Barrier Highway; book ahead, as beds are few and fill on long weekends.

Broken Hill (alternative base)

About 2 h west; far more beds, food and services if you want a comfortable night.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$60–110 (≈ US$40–75) excl. bed
Mid
A$110–200 (≈ US$75–140) excl. bed
High
A$200 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Caravan-park cabin1 × 1 night × A$140A$140
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$120A$240
Fuel top-up, 50 L1 × A$100 · checkA$100
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$30A$60
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$54
Trip total≈ A$297 per person per day, bed includedA$594≈ US$400

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or cold drinkA$5–8 (≈ US$4–6)
Takeaway meal (kitchen or roadhouse)A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17)
Fuel, unleaded per litreHigher in remote towns than in Broken Hill.A$1.80–2.20 (≈ US$2)
Powered campsite, per nightA$30–50 (≈ US$20–35)
Motel room, per nightA$120–220 (≈ US$80–150)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Wilcannia is one of the poorest towns in New South Wales and has a high crime rate; local advice is not to walk the streets at night. Stop in daylight, keep valuables out of sight, sleep at the caravan park north of town or drive on to Broken Hill.
  • Wilcannia has a high crime rate and serious social problems; local advice is not to walk the streets after dark.
  • Fuel up here if you are heading west: the next reliable services are in Broken Hill, about 2 h away.
  • Unsealed roads north and south of town flood and close; check road conditions before any detour.
  • Summer heat is the real hazard: carry at least 4 L of water per person and do not walk far from the vehicle.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From a mobile
112
Road conditions (local)
08 8091 5155

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

WilcanniaWilcannia

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From a mobile112
  • Road conditions (local)08 8091 5155

Embassy

No consulates in Wilcannia. Nearest consular help: Sydney (most countries) or the US Consulate General in Melbourne; in an emergency call 000.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Fuel, Wilcannia → Broken Hill (200 km): about 20 L, A$40–45 (≈ US$30)
  • Powered campsite, per night: A$30–50 (≈ US$20–35)
  • Motel room, per night: A$120–220 (≈ US$80–150)

Say or show

  • Where's the servo? — Where is the fuel station?
  • Is the road open past here? — Is the road open?
  • How far to Broken Hill? — How far to Broken Hill?
  • Do you take card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where can I camp? — Where can I camp?
  • I need help — I need help

Phone coverage is patchy on the highways around town; download offline maps before you leave Cobar or Broken Hill.

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 Wilcannia. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (heat, often 35–40 °C); avoid all unsealed roads after rain · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Fuel, food and water contract for the Barrier Highway: last reliable services east and west, opening-hour checks, heat plan.
  2. Walking cluster for the heritage main street and the old bridge, with a daylight-only rule.
  3. Sleep pages for the caravan park and the highway motel, with verified prices and cancellation terms.
  4. Road-condition fixtures for the Cobb Highway and the White Cliffs road so gravel detours can go green or red.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources

Ask about Wilcannia

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