Balranald

River & lake attractions

The Murrumbidgee, Lachlan, Wakool, Edward and mighty Murray rivers are all within a half-hour drive, making Balranald a popular destination for boating, kayaking and fishing. Catch Murray cod, yellowbelly, perch or redfin on the Five Rivers Fishing Trail, a must for keen anglers. Pick up a brochure from the Balranald Visitor Information Centre for other river-based attractions, such as the Regatta Beach Picnic Area. This tranquil lakeside spot provides great camping, swimming and paddling opportunities under towering river gums.

Murrumbidgee River, Balranald

Enjoy scenic wetland views and bird-watching on the nearby Yanga Lake walking track in Yanga National Park, whose wetlands are home to 150 species of birds, including egrets, herons, spoonbills and sea egales. If you want an insider's guide to the area's natural surroundings, Outback Geo Adventures offer fantastic guided tours of Yanga National Park and Mungo National Park.

Sunrise over Mungo National Park tour with Outback Geo Adventures

Heritage & history

Explore the town’s history on the Balranald Heritage Trail, a 1.5-hour self-guided walk linking the town's most significant points of interest on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Make sure to stop at the Balranald Gallery, housed in the original Masonic Lodge dating back to 1880.

Balranald Art Gallery

Other things to do include a self-guided tour of Yanga Woolshed. Built in the 1870s, it was once the largest woolshed in the district. Displays reveal the region’s pastoral and Aboriginal history, plus that of the early European explorers who passed through, including John Oxley and Charles Sturt. Stop for lunch at the Yanga Woolshed picnic area. Another fascinating place to explore is Yanga Historic Homestead, with stables, a gardener’s shed and rose gardens. 

Where to stay

Places to stay include The Homebush, a classic country pub that opened in 1878, or you can camp by the Murrumbidgee River in Yanga National Park at Mamanga Campground, as explorers Burke and Wills once did. 

Aerial view of the Murrumbidgee River and Balranald town

Getting there

Situated on the Sturt Highway, Balranald is just under a nine-hour drive from Sydney, five hours from Melbourne and six hours from Adelaide. The Riverina wine region town of Griffith is three hours away and the nearest regional airport is in Mildura, less than a two-hour drive away, where you can rent a car and explore the region at your own pace.