The Long Paddock- Cobb Highway

Leaving Broken Hill we headed for Wilcannia to the start of ‘The Long Paddock’ run, following the original Cobb and Co route - Wilcannia, Ivanhoe, Hay, Deniliquin and Echuca. We will leave the route at Deniliquin to head to Swan Hill. 

The Long Paddock history starts back in 1824, when farmers wanted to send their stock to markets other than Sydney. The farmers started to drove their cattle south, following rivers or streams as cattle can not go more than 2 days without water. Many of the cattle would need to swim across the rivers in order to continue along the route. The roadsides were once just large paddocks which the cattle would graze on as they walked. It also gave drovers and farmers an opportunity to check out the area and purchase land. 

Drivers and wandering cattle can still be seen today being moved along this historic track. 

Wilcannia was settled on the banks of the Darling River in 1866 - the river is currently almost without water in Wilcannia but was full and running paddlesteamers back in the day. It is a small town, dominated mostly by an Aboriginal community. We stayed at one of our favorite camping grounds due to its amazing bathrooms!!  

Next stop after following a rough red dirt road was Ivanhoe. Tiny town but has a good pub who do a good burger and steak sandwich! The town was established back in 1869 and by 1884 was a horse changing station for Cobb & Co. 

Then it was into Hay for a couple of nights freecamping on the river. We came across some Hereford cattle and drivers as we were coming into Hay. There are large heritage buildings that line the streets of Hay which has been part of its history - politically and socially. 

Hay was a crossing place of the Murrumbidgee for the drovers during the gold rush era of the 1850’s. It quickly developed in an important hub for the surrounding pastoral holdings. In the early days the river would be full of steam boats as it became an important river port - not evident today!

Shear outback is a major attraction for the area offering glimpses into the shearing industry with live shearing, history of shearing and a general interpretation of the industry over the ages. Great walking trails along the river here as well. 

Deniliquin home of the world famous Ute Muster was our final stop. Again we Free camped on the river Edward. Deniliquin was again another ‘crossing place’ town for the drovers. Up to 3 stock driving routes merged here. 

Established by a banker in 1843 who purchased pastoral holdings of 700,000 acres - Deniliquin Run - it ran from the north of the Murray, half way to Billabong Creek and the 

Murrumbidgee and then westward following the Edward river towards Balranald. 

There are many of the original buildings within the town today. A rail line was built to Echuca in 1876 by the locals as the government wouldn’t fund it. 

Today whilst there is still a strong wool industry, beef, oil seed, dairy and cereal cropping, rice has become the prime industry in the area. 

Great town to visit and chill out in.