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Major city · Australia

White Cliffs

Go for one night if you are already on the Barrier Highway: underground sleep, opal diggings and a 93 km (58 mi) sealed road from Wilcannia. Skip if you want shops or a pool of things to do.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

White Cliffs is an opal-mining town of about 100 people in the Far West of New South Wales, reached by a good sealed road from Wilcannia or a dirt road from Broken Hill. The reason to come is the underground stay and the diggings; the town itself is small, so one night covers it and two nights suits fossickers.

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 (extreme heat), days over 40°C (104°F)
Airport
BHQ
Nights
1–2
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 ▾

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 White Cliffs000 ▾

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 White Cliffs, 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 takeaway snack at the local cafeA$5–12 (≈ US$4–8)
  • Budget bedCamping or caravan spot, a night, per personA$15 (≈ US$10)
  • Mid-range bedUnderground motel room, a night, per roomA$140 (≈ US$95)
  • High-end bedUnderground motel room, a night, per roomA$200 (≈ US$140)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$80 (≈ US$55) · Mid A$140 (≈ US$95) · 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.

Underground motel and dugoutsOpal mining and fossickingHeritage TrailParoo-Darling National Park visitor centre
Airports
BHQ Broken Hill Airport (About 290 km (180 mi) by unsealed road via Mutawintji, or longer on sealed roads via Wilcannia; check road conditions before committing.)

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 May (4 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

White Cliffs: 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)

21°C (70°F)

3 rd

Feb

35°C (95°F)

20°C (68°F)

3 rd

Mar

31°C (88°F)

17°C (63°F)

3 rd

Apr

26°C (79°F)

12°C (54°F)

3 rd

May

21°C (70°F)

8°C (46°F)

4 rd

Jun

17°C (63°F)

5°C (41°F)

4 rd

Jul

17°C (63°F)

4°C (39°F)

4 rd

Aug

19°C (66°F)

5°C (41°F)

3 rd

Sep

24°C (75°F)

8°C (46°F)

3 rd

Oct

28°C (82°F)

12°C (54°F)

4 rd

Nov

32°C (90°F)

16°C (61°F)

4 rd

Dec

35°C (95°F)

19°C (66°F)

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: there is no public transport and the sights are spread along dirt tracks. Fuel up at Wilcannia or Broken Hill; the local cafe serves as store and fuel supplier, so do not arrive empty.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Wilcannia

go

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Sealed road, 93 km (58 mi)

Closest town with a shop and fuel; watch for animals on the road.

Mutawintji National Park

caution

Door to door: About 2 h

Unsealed road toward Broken Hill

Dirt access; check conditions and do not go after rain.

Paroo-Darling National Park

caution

Door to door: 2 h+

About 100 km (62 mi) of dirt road; visitor centre in White Cliffs

Very remote wetlands and bird life; start early with full water.

Broken Hillovernight

Door to door: 3.5–4.5 h

Unsealed via Mutawintji, or sealed via Wilcannia

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there.

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

Hotel/Motel and the cafe/store; walk to the Heritage Trail and diggings.

Smiths Hill (underground motel)

About 1 km (0.6 mi) of gravel from the centre; steady 22°C (72°F) underground, family-style dinner at extra cost.

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$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

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Underground motel room1 × 1 night × A$140A$140
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$140A$280
Family-style dinner at the underground motel2 × A$35A$70
Fossicking permit or guided dig, per person2 × A$30A$60
Fuel, Wilcannia to White Cliffs and back1 × A$90A$90
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$64
Trip total≈ A$352 per person per day, bed includedA$704≈ US$500

from about A$105

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

Prices of common things

Coffee or takeaway snack at the local cafeA$5–12 (≈ US$4–8)
Counter meal at the hotel/motelA$20–35 (≈ US$14–25)
Underground motel room, per nightfrom about A$105 (≈ US$70)
Opal jewellery or a small rough stoneA$20–200 (≈ US$14–140)+
Fuel, per litrehigher than city pricesA$2.00–2.30 (≈ US$2)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Remote and hot: the main risks are heat, animals on the road and no phone signal. Carry water, fuel up before you leave, and tell someone your route.
  • Animals on the Wilcannia road, especially at dawn and dusk.
  • The Broken Hill route via Mutawintji is unsealed: check conditions and do not attempt after rain.
  • Summer heat is dangerous; carry water and tell someone your plan.
  • Phone coverage is patchy outside town.
  • Fossicking is only allowed in set-aside areas; ask locally before digging.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112
NSW National Parks (Paroo-Darling)
+61 8 8083 7900

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.

White CliffsWhite Cliffs

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112
  • NSW National Parks+61 8 8083 7900

Embassy

No consulates here; the nearest are in Sydney. US, UK, Canadian and other embassies are in Canberra.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Wilcannia → White Cliffs: 93 km (58 mi) sealed, about 1 h 15 min
  • Broken Hill → White Cliffs via Mutawintji: about 290 km (180 mi), unsealed sections

Say or show

  • Where is the fossicking area? — Where is the fossicking area?
  • Is the road open? — Is the road open?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?

Fuel and water before you leave Wilcannia 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 White Cliffs. 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 (extreme heat), days over 40°C · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 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. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Field-check the Wilcannia road and the Broken Hill dirt route after rain, with a fuel and water plan.
  2. Confirm the underground motel's dinner and check-in cutoffs, and the hotel/motel's current rates.
  3. Verify fossicking areas and any mine tours with the local opal shop before publishing hours.
  4. Add a Paroo-Darling access note with the visitor centre phone and a no-signal warning.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources