We took the West Wilcannia Road down to Menindee, so called because it runs along the western side of the Darling River.Long stretches of open sky and wide dirt road - with the river overflow quite close at different points. It was beautiful. We saw an eagle, stopped for a closer look at a central netted dragon - and just really enjoyed driving through and seeing the changing countryside.
We noticed many fallen road signs - and those still standing which featured stock silhouettes had faded from black to golden yellow!
Menindee Lakes were originally a series of shallow natural ephemeral lakes along the Darling River which were developed into water storage.
When full the lakes hold three and half times as much water as Sydney Harbour!
I couldn't find any statistics but the lakes seemed full during our visit and we were glad to see them in their glory.
Till recently the concrete pipeline beside the road carried water from Menindee to Broken Hill. There has been media coverage regarding it's replacement - as well as plans to divert water from the lakes, due to various community opposition. There's some information, here.
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