Just like everyone wants to see the miraculous occasion when South Australia’s Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park has water in it, Menindee Lakes is another outback oasis – but timing must be right!
Described as naturally ephemeral, the inter-connected lakes are normally dry, unless there has been adequate rain. They were modified during the 1950s and 1960s for water storage to nearby Broken Hill, as well as towns and farms in the Murray–Darling system.
So when there is water in them – travellers flock to the great camping spots you’ll find in the area.
Take your pick from – there are three each of free camping spots, national park campgrounds, station stays and caravan parks. More recently, there have been new managers, upgrades and demolitions at Menindee Lakes Caravan Park.
Explore Kinchega National Park – you can camp beside the Darling River or a lake, where aboriginal heritage and pastoral history abounds. The park and the wetlands are important for flora, fauna and endangered species – bring your camera and binoculars.
Menindee Lakes was first discovered by Europeans in 1835 by Major Mitchell First called Laidley’s Pond, it later became a major depot for later explorers and was known as the ‘last outpost of civilisation’ for explorers heading into the interior.
Of the four main lakes, three are modified natural depressions (Lakes Pamamaroo, Menindee and Cawndilla), while the fourth (Lake Wetherell) is an artificial lake along the main river channel formed by the construction of the Main Weir.
Lake Menindee, the largest of the lakes, is 16 kilometres long and 14 kilometres wide – and combined, the system holds three and half times the capacity of Sydney Harbour!
Find these sites and more nearby in the CAMPS guide books, new CAMPS Pendium boxed set and CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App.
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