An Authentic Outback Stop on the Road East
Lilyvale Rest Area Eastbound offers a genuine slice of the outback for travellers heading east along the Barrier Highway from Broken Hill and Wilcannia towards Cobar. Positioned on one of Australia’s most iconic and remote touring routes, this free camp provides a crucial and welcome place for a 24-hour stop. It’s a large, basic, but highly functional site that caters perfectly to self-sufficient travellers. The sheer sense of space and the profound quiet of the surrounding landscape make it more than just a place to park; it’s an opportunity to experience the vastness of the Far West NSW environment. Set a good distance from the road, it ensures a peaceful break from the long hours of driving.
The rest area is an expansive, unsealed lot of dirt and gravel, providing firm ground and ample room for dozens of vehicles of all sizes, from the biggest rigs to compact campervans. While there are some scattered trees, the site is mostly open, making it easy to manoeuvre. The basic facilities include toilets and rubbish bins, but it’s vital that visitors arrive prepared with all their own supplies, most importantly a generous amount of drinking water. Mobile phone service is virtually non-existent, reinforcing the feeling of being truly away from it all. For dog owners, the wide-open space is a huge advantage. As the sun sets, the area transforms, offering breathtaking outback colours followed by a night sky filled with an incredible display of stars, unobscured by city lights. For a safe, quiet, and authentic bush stop, Lilyvale is an excellent choice.
Lilyvale Rest Area Eastbound – NSW Map
- Name: Lilyvale Rest Area Eastbound
- Address: Barrier Hwy, Noona NSW 2835
- GPS Coordinates: -31.58681, 144.87475
Site Details
- Site Suitable For: Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs, Camper Trailers.
- Road Access: Sealed highway (Barrier Highway).
- Site Surface: Dirt and gravel.
- Camping Permitted: Yes.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
- Number of Sites Available: Very large open area, 30+ unpowered sites.
- Pet Friendly: Yes.
- Fishing: Not available at this location.
- Short Walks: Plenty of open space to walk and explore the immediate bushland.
Facilities
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- Potable Water: No. Bring your entire supply of drinking water.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Extremely limited to non-existent. Not to be relied upon.
- TV Reception: Unlikely.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes (long drop style).
- Rubbish Bins: Yes.
- Open Fires: Prohibited. Always check for local fire restrictions.
- Generator Use: Permitted, with courtesy to other users.
Essentials to Bring
- A substantial amount of drinking water for your entire stay.
- All food, cooking supplies, and emergency equipment.
- A full tank of fuel from the last major town.
- Fly nets, especially for the warmer seasons.
Local Amenities (in nearby Cobar, approx. 100 km east)
Pubs
- Great Western Hotel: Famous for its long iron-lacework verandah.
- Empire Hotel Restaurant: Offers hearty meals in a classic setting.
- Cobar Bowling & Golf Club: A large, modern club with full bar and dining.
Places to Eat
- Cobar RSL Club: A popular choice for quality bistro meals.
- Various cafes, bakeries, and takeaway shops along the main street of Cobar.
- IGA Supermarket for all self-catering needs.
Local Attractions
- Great Cobar Heritage Centre & Museum.
- Fort Bourke Lookout over the impressive open-cut mine.
- Cobar Miners Heritage Park.
Caravan Parks
- Cobar Caravan Park.
Next Free Camps
- Bulla Park Rest Area: Approximately 25 km west.
- Meadow Glen Rest Area: Approximately 40 km east.
Services
- Nearest Dump Point: Cobar Caravan Park (a fee may apply for non-guests).
- Nearest Petrol Station: Multiple service stations in Cobar.
- Drinking Water Resupply: Check at the Cobar Visitor Information Centre.
- Public Toilets: On-site.
Seasonal Weather Forecast: Far West NSW
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Extremely hot and dry conditions, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 40°C. Travel with caution.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Warm days and cooler nights make this the prime season for outback travel.
- Winter (Jun-Aug): Mild and sunny days with very cold nights and regular frosts.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Pleasant and warm, a great time to see wildflowers if there have been rains.