Situated near the junction of the Namoi River and Barwon River, this former paddle steamer port, established on the Gemini’s pioneering river trip of 1861, is a great place to explore.

Throw a line in where paddle steamers once delivered wool, timber and livestock. The river teems with cod and yellow-belly and is an attractive fishing location. Visit Stone's Throw, a thriving antique shop, gift shop and café, much loved by locals for the coffee and sweet treats.

Once the highest point paddle-steamers could reach on the Darling River system, Brewarrina is rich with fascinating history and indigenous heritage.

You’ll find plenty of things to see and do from heritage trails and museums to quality fishing on the beautiful Darling River, where you will find ancient man-made fish traps. These fish traps are estimated to be over 40,000 years old.

Drive 98km west of Brewarrina to the legendary town of Bourke, Once a major 19th century river port and trading post.

Set among river red gums on the banks of the Darling River, the Back O' Bourke Exhibition Centre explores the history and culture of the Darling River and its surroundings, with interactive tales of the paddle-steamer trade, the Aboriginal people of the region, bush poets and Afghan cameleers.

For those who wish to explore further, about 40 minutes' drive from Bourke you will find the vast Gundabooka National Park, an area rich in Aboriginal heritage that stretches across the plains from the Darling River. See aboriginal rock art and walk near the majestic Mount Gundabooka.

You can also you can stay in the historic Redbank Homestead or Shearers’ Quarters.

Travel in a southern direction on Kidman Way and turn right on Louth Road. Some sections of the road are unsealed, so before setting out check road conditions with the local Visitor Information Centre, local council, police or motoring authority. Rain may cause closure of these roads.

Once you are on the road you will follow the winding Darling River which is on your right hand side for 95km to Louth.Enjoy lunch at Shindy’s Inn, on the banks of the Darling River. Surrounded by photos of life on the Darling, this pub is known for its hospitality. If you are travelling in August you might experience the amazing annual Louth Races, which sees the town thrive with activity.

28km further along the Darling you will find Trilby Station, a working sheep station, once a part of the legendary million acre Dunlop, first in the world to complete a sheep shearing by mechanical means in 1888. Trilby Station is 320,000 acres these days, running approx 24,000 Merino sheep and an extensive goat enterprise.

The Murray family are your hosts and can trace their settlement on the Darling River near Louth back six generations. Trilby Station offers fully renovated Stockman's Cottages and the new Shearer's Bunkhouse, should you wish to stay longer.

The Tilpa Hotel is a classic timber pub, and walls inside are covered in travellers' messages. Every year the pub’s owners make a substantial donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, collected from visitors who pay a fee to add to their own contribution to the pub walls.

Chat to the friendly locals as you tuck into steak sandwiches and a cold beer before retiring after a long day of driving. The pub offers comfortable accommodation and you can purchase a fishing licence at the Hotel and go boating or fishing for Murray cod in the Darling River.

Start the trip to Wilcannia, by crossing the river and continuing south-west to Wilcannia Road for 137km. The drive opens onto wonderful scenery along the Darling River.

Visit the former Athenaeum Library from 1883, now the town's Pioneer Museum, where you can find the Wilcannia Historical Society Guide Book detailing the histories of all the town’s major buildings, including the 1880 post office and its attached residence, the Club Hotel which dates from 1879.

For those who wish to take a detour, the nearby Paroo-Darling National Park is an area of outstanding beauty where you can swim, fish, relax by the river or settle down for the night at Coach and Horses campground if you wish to spend more time in the area.

Enjoy stunning natural attractions, captivating history and warm hospitality.You can travel to Menindee on both the western or eastern side of the Darling River.

The Wilcannia Road is the more frequently used and follows the western side of the river, through the oasis of Copi Hollow and past the Explorers Tree engraved by Bourke and Wills and Menindee Lakes Storages Dam Wall.

Enjoy a meal and stay in the Menindee Hotel, the second oldest pub in NSW where famous explorers Burke and Wills once rested.

Visiting the Menindee Lakes is a must. The region hosted some of Australia's most eminent explorers, and with an abundance of wildflowers and orchards, is something of a desert oasis. Photograph the lakes at sunset, fish for perch at dinner, and spend the night explorer-style at Pamamaroo Creek's Burke and Wills campsite.

Drive south to Pooncarie, where famous explorers Burke and Wills reached the Darling River on their ill-fated expedition toward the Gulf. Once a port for the paddle steamer trade, today you can visit the Old Wharf site on the banks of the Darling River.

Pooncarie is also upstream from the spectacular Mungo National Park. While not on the Darling River Run, the park offers fascinating features such as ancient Lake Mungo, the resting place of 60,000-year-old Mungo Man and the magnificent Walls of China formations which stretch along the eastern side of the lakebed.

Arrive in Wentworth, where the Darling River finally meets the mighty Murray River. Once Australia’s busiest inland port, this charming town in far south-western NSW is rich in heritage.

You’ll find many memorable things to do and see in the Wentworth region, from hiring houseboats to wine tasting at Trentham Estate Winery. Enjoy a scenic cruise aboard the PS Ruby paddle-steamer from the Port of Wentworth.

This area is also famous for the Perry Sandhills. Formed by winds spanning thousands of years, these ancient dunes are rich with aboriginal significance. They have also yielded the ancient remains of giant animals who once lived on this area. You can see replicas of these at the Wentworth Pioneer Museum.