Originally gazetted as Pooncaira' in 1863, the area was first ‘established’ by Europeans in the 1840’s as settlers took up illegal livestock runs on crown land. By the 1860’s the federal government, in an attempt to gain control of the area, formalised these illegal (and unfenced) claims.
The famous explorers Bourke and Wills reached the Darling river at nearby Tarcoola Station and made camp at what is now Bilbarka Park in September 1860 one way to their ill-fated expedition to the North West
More settlers followed and the town established itself as a service hub for outlying stations and more importantly, at the time, a port for the Paddle-steamer trade that was pushing up the Darling River.
The highlight on the social calendar is the Pooncarie Cup (October)
Pooncarie provides wonderful access to the Darling River and The Darling River Run extends upstream to Menindee (and the Menindee Lakes) and downstream to the confluence of the Murray and Darling rivers at Wentworth.
Lake Mungo (and the Mungo National Park) is a spectacular side trip from Pooncarie and the Silver City Loop also incorporates this section of The Darling River Run
