Major city · Australia
Pooncarie
Go only if you are driving the unsealed Pooncarie Road between Menindee and Wentworth: one night, fuel and water first, and check the Darling flood level before you commit.
Pooncarie is a Darling River waypoint of about 166 people in the Lower Darling, one of the least visited towns in New South Wales. It exists as a base for the northern edge of Mungo National Park and as a stop on the unsealed Pooncarie Road between Menindee and Wentworth. Both roads in are dirt, the river can flood the road for days, and there is one pub, one café and no scheduled flights. Come for the drive and the river, not for a town.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (heat, 40°C (104°F)+ days), and any week with Darling River floodingavoid Dec–Feb (heat, 104°F (40°C)+ days), and any week with Darling River flooding
- Airports
- MQL · BHI
- Nights
- 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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pooncarie000 ▾
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)000
- Police non-emergency (NSW)131 444
- NSW SES flood and storm assistance132 500
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 Pooncarie, 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
- SafetyRemote and quiet rather than dangerous.
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 emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 131 444 police non-emergency (nsw) · 132 500 NSW SES flood and storm assistance
- 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.
- AirportMQL Mildura (Nearest airport with scheduled flights, about 2 h 30 min by road via Wentworth; hire car here.
- Getting aroundThe town is under 2 km² (1 sq mi) and you walk it.The town is under 1 sq mi (2 km²) and you walk it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at the Old Wharf CafeA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
- Beerschooner at the pubA$7–10 (≈ US$5–7)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketNational park entry, MungoA$8–15 (≈ US$6–10) per vehicle per day
- Budget bedUnpowered campsite, own tent, a night, per personA$15 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedPooncarie Hotel room, a night, per roomA$150 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedPooncarie Hotel room, a night, per roomA$220 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$150 (≈ US$100) · High A$260 (≈ US$180)
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
- MQL Mildura (Nearest airport with scheduled flights, about 2 h 30 min by road via Wentworth; hire car here. Check current services.) · BHI Broken Hill (About 3 h 30 min by road via Menindee on unsealed sections; check road conditions first.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Feb
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jul (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jun (7 rain days), driest Feb (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pooncarie: 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
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
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
The town is under 2 km² and you walk it. Everything outside town needs a car: Pooncarie Road to Menindee or Wentworth, Ivanhoe Road toward the Cobb Highway (B75). Both are largely unsealed and can be closed by flooding. A weekly CDC Broken Hill coach runs on Mondays between Mildura and Broken Hill — check the current timetable, as services change.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h each way
Ivanhoe Road east, then a seldom-used unsealed track to the main park sites
The main Walls of China sites are about 80 km (50 mi) east and reached by a rough track. Do not attempt in wet weather or a 2WD.The main Walls of China sites are about 50 mi (80 km) east and reached by a rough track. Do not attempt in wet weather or a 2WD.
Door to door: About 2–2.5 h each way
Pooncarie Road north, largely unsealed
Better as an overnight than a return day trip; check the road and lake levels.
Wentworth
goDoor to door: About 2 h each way
Pooncarie Road south, largely unsealed
The junction of the Murray and Darling; fuel, food and a proper town.
Mildura
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5–3 h each way
Pooncarie Road south to Wentworth, then the Sturt Highway
Too far for a return day; use it as your arrival or departure base.
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 (Tarcoola St and Darling St)
The pub and the café are both here; everything is a short walk. This is the only practical place to sleep.
Riverbank and racecourse area
Camping and informal river access near the airstrip and racecourse; self-sufficient only, no services. Check with the pub or council before camping.
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$80–130 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$130–200 (≈ US$90–140) excl. bed
- High
- A$200 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pooncarie Hotel room1 × 1 night × A$150 | A$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$150 | A$300 |
| Fuel, 100 L at outback prices1 × A$220 | A$220 |
| Drinking water, 10 L1 × A$15 | A$15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$110 |
| Trip total≈ A$423 per person per day, bed included | A$845≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and vehicle costs excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at the Old Wharf Cafe | A$5–7 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Pub counter meal | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Beer, schooner at the pub | A$7–10 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Unleaded fuel, outback price per litre2026 estimate | A$2.10–2.40 (≈ US$2) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
| National park entry, Mungo | A$8–15 (≈ US$6–10) per vehicle per day |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Both roads in are unsealed: Pooncarie Road and Ivanhoe Road. Check conditions with Transport for NSW or the local council before leaving.
- Darling River flooding can cut the road and strand you for days. Check the BOM river and weather pages before you commit.
- No fuel, no mechanic and no scheduled flights in town. Fill up in Menindee, Wentworth or Mildura.
- Do not swim in or drink from the Darling here: low flows and poor water quality have caused fish kills.
- Phone coverage is patchy outside town; carry water, a spare tyre and a paper map.
- Summer days pass 40°C (104°F). Drive early, carry 4–5 L of water per person and never leave the car on a hot day.Summer days pass 104°F (40°C). Drive early, carry 4–5 L of water per person and never leave the car on a hot day.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 000
- Police non-emergency (NSW)
- 131 444
- NSW SES flood and storm assistance
- 132 500
Pocket card
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PooncariePooncarie
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Can you take me to this address?To this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency000
- Police non-emergency131 444
- NSW SES flood and storm132 500
Embassy
No consulates in town. Nearest consular help is in Sydney or Melbourne; US, UK, Canadian and other embassies are in Canberra. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- CDC Broken Hill coach, Mildura–Broken Hill (Mondays): check the current timetable and fare
- Fuel, Menindee to Pooncarie: about 130 km (81 mi), fill before you leaveabout 81 mi (130 km), fill before you leave
- Pooncarie to Wentworth by road: about 130 km (81 mi), largely unsealedabout 81 mi (130 km), largely unsealed
Say or show
- G'day — G'day (guh-DAY)
- Thanks / Ta — Thank you (thanks)
- How far's the next town? — How far is it? (how farz)
- Is the road open? — Is the road open? (road open)
- Do you take card? — Can I pay by card? (card)
- Where's the nearest servo? — Where is the fuel? (SER-voh)
Fuel, water and phone coverage are the things to sort before you leave the last town.
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 Pooncarie. 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–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (heat, 40°C+ days), and any week with Darling River flooding · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Road-status contract for Pooncarie Road and Ivanhoe Road: council and Transport for NSW feeds checked, flood-closure rung, 2WD vs 4WD verdict.
- Fuel and water ladder: last fuel at Menindee, Wentworth and Mildura, with distances and litres needed.
- Mungo north-edge access page: track condition, wet-weather cutoff and a go / caution / skip verdict.
- Field Day and race meeting dates as dated fixtures, so the town can flip from waypoint to destination.