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Five Mile Rest Area Northbound
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Five Mile Rest Area Northbound, Wyalong NSW

Five Mile Rest Area Northbound, Wyalong NSW

The Five Mile Rest Area is a large and highly practical free camping spot located on the northbound side of the Newell Highway, just east of the historic gold-mining town of West Wyalong in New South Wales. This essential 24-hour rest stop is a popular choice for the high volume of traffic on the Newell, which serves as the main inland artery connecting Melbourne and Brisbane. Perfectly positioned between the major towns of Narrandera and Forbes, it offers a safe and convenient place for travellers heading north to manage fatigue. The rest area is exceptionally spacious, with a simple, open layout that can easily accommodate all vehicle types, from cars and campervans to the largest caravans, motorhomes, and B-double trucks.

As a designated highway rest area, it provides the fundamental amenities needed for a comfortable short stay. The surface is primarily gravel and natural dirt, set back from the highway amongst native trees, providing a peaceful environment for an overnight stay. It is a pet-friendly location, with plenty of space for dogs to have a good walk on a leash. Mobile phone coverage is generally good for major carriers. As is standard, travellers must be fully self-contained with their own drinking water and power, and there is no dump point on-site. The key advantage of this free camp is its strategic location. It is just minutes from the full range of services in West Wyalong and serves as an excellent free base to explore the region’s rich gold rush history, including the unique ‘crooked’ main street and the Poppet Head lookout. For a simple, spacious, and well-located free stop on the Newell Highway, the Five Mile Rest Area is a reliable and popular choice.

Five Mile Rest Area Northbound – NSW Location Map

Location Details

  • Name: Five Mile Rest Area Northbound
  • Address: Newell Highway, Wyalong NSW 2671, Australia
  • GPS Coordinates: -33.91561, 147.27757

Site Information

  • Location: On the northbound side of the Newell Highway (A39), approximately 8km east of West Wyalong.
  • Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, including large caravans and motorhomes.
  • Road Access: Sealed highway.
  • Site Surface: Gravel/Dirt.
  • Camping Permitted: Yes.
  • Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
  • Picnic Tables: No.
  • Potable Water: No. Be self-sufficient.
  • Mobile Phone Coverage: Good for all major carriers.
  • TV Reception: Good digital TV reception.
  • Onsite Public Toilets: No.
  • Ullage / Dump Point: Not available on site.
  • Drive Through Sites: Yes, large open area allows for easy access.
  • Rubbish Bins: Yes.
  • Open Fires: Strictly prohibited.
  • Generator Use: Permitted, with consideration for other campers.
  • Number of Sites Available: Very large, unmarked area with plenty of space.
  • Essentials to Bring: Drinking water and all personal supplies.
  • Pet Friendly: Yes, pets must be leashed.
  • Fishing: Not available at the rest area.
  • Short Walks: Plenty of space for walking around the large rest area.

Local Amenities

Pubs

  • Royal Hotel, West Wyalong: One of several large, historic pubs in West Wyalong (approx. 8km).
  • Tattersalls Hotel, West Wyalong: A classic country pub with a friendly atmosphere (approx. 8km).
  • Post Office Hotel, West Wyalong: A popular local pub on the unique crooked main street (approx. 8km).

Places to Eat

  • West Wyalong: A major service town with a full range of supermarkets (Woolworths, IGA), bakeries, cafes, and restaurants.

Local Attractions

  • West Wyalong’s Crooked Main Street: See the unique streetscape that had to be built around the gold diggings.
  • Poppet Head Lookout & True Blue Mining Museum: Get a great view over the town and learn about its gold mining past.
  • Wyalong Museum: Housed in the old courthouse, showcasing local history.

Nearest Caravan Parks

  • West Wyalong Services & Citizens Club Caravan Park: A well-regarded park in West Wyalong.
  • A-N-Z Caravan Park, West Wyalong: Another option for a longer stay with full facilities.

Next Free Camps

  • Bland Creek Rest Area, West Wyalong: A very large free camp just on the western side of West Wyalong.
  • Mid Western Junction Rest Area: A large highway rest area located further north towards Forbes.

Nearest Dump Points

  • West Wyalong Showground: A public dump point is available for travellers.

Nearest Petrol Station

  • West Wyalong: Multiple 24/7 service stations with all fuel types are located in the town.

Drinking Water Resupply

  • West Wyalong Visitor Information Centre: A reliable location to fill RV water tanks.

Nearest Public Toilets (offsite)

  • Onsite: The rest area has its own public toilet block.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The Riverina region experiences a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and cool winters.

  • Summer (Dec – Feb): Very hot and dry, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 35°C.
  • Autumn (Mar – May): A very pleasant season for travel, with warm sunny days and cooler nights.
  • Winter (Jun – Aug): Days are often cool and sunny, but nights and early mornings are cold with heavy frosts.
  • Spring (Sep – Nov): Weather becomes warmer. The landscape is often green after winter rains, and canola fields create a vibrant spectacle.

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