Red Centre Last minute trip Plan!!!!

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Have booked for Bali to leave 5/11/2015. Seems a small volcanic eruption has put an end to that so plan B is to take off from Adelaide to the Red Centre! Would appreciate any suggested places to visit excluding Uluru.

We have very little time to plan but do have a capable Prado and T-Van we like to take anywhere and everywhere, ESPECIALLY off road.

To add to our frustrations we will be limited to the blacktop on the trip up there due to track closures caused by severe weather in SA at the moment. The Oodnadatta is a no go zone, although we will revisit it on the way home.

Coober Pedy is on the list for a look around already.

Regards

MLC

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

How far are you going up? Kings Canyon> Alice Springs via Mereenie Loop/West MacDonnell ranges is on my list. Last time we were there in a 2wd Apollo Campervan so had to do the bitumen. Not sure about the state of the road at the moment though.

http://www.drive.com.au/roads-and-tr...810-1in8v.html

There's also the East McDonnell ranges to check out.

[DGW Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DGW]

We preferred the East McDonnell ranges to the West but both are worth exploring and the drive down the Finke River was great couple of days - http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.a...-4WD-Route.pdf.

They have had a bit of rain up that way but everything seems to be open - http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I highly recommend Ruby Gap N/P in the east Macdonnell. It's a bit further out from the main areas but it offers the best 4wding adventure in the region, whilst also being an amazing sight. I've linked a couple videos below.

Other places I recommend are:
Trephina Gorge - on the way to Ruby Gap
Finke Gorge N/P - for more fantastic 4wding, rough tails of sand and rock, creek beds, and amazing views.
Kings Canyon, of course.
West Macdonnell ranges - there's heaps of gorges to see, the further west you go the less people. And right at the end is Grosse Bluff, which has amazing colours.


VIDEO - 23min extended video with footage of the main track around the camping areas, as well as the much rougher gorge track.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

VIDEO - 5min highlights video - which only shows the very last part of the gorge which is a walking track (driving permitted).

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

First thing I would say, and I know your not going to like this, if your not taking your hiking boots your going to miss out on most of the best bits IMO.

You said excluding Ayers Rock, not sure if you aren't going that way or already plan to, but IMO the Olgas are better than the rock. You can by prior arrangement through Curtain Springs camp at the base of Mount Connor, the forgotten Monolith of the red centre, which we enjoyed.

I agree the East Macs are better than the West, but both worth a look, but once again, you don't see much if you don't get out and hoof it.

One of our all time favourite camp sites is on the banks of the Finke River opposite Glen Helen Gorge, free camping and just brilliant.




Out from Trephina Gorge is John Hayes Rock Holes, the gorge above the rock holes is magical, words cant describe it, also one of my all time favourite places.




Defiantely head out to Ruby Gap after checking out Arltunga, you can even pick up a bit of gold at Arltunga if you are lucky

Lots of wild Donkeys when we went to Ruby Gap.






Kings Canyon is brilliant, but a decent hike again. Finke Gorge and Palm Valley are a bit the same, some mild 4 wheelin on the way in to Palm Valley through some dry (when we went) creek beds.

Chambers Pillar, one half decent hill and some small dunes on the way in.




On the way up if you stop in and camp at Rainbow Valley, you need to be there at Sunset to see it at its best.




N'dahlia gorge if you want to check out all the Aboriginal carvings, thousands to be found! Ewaninga for even more.

You wont have any trouble finding things to keep you occupied and in awe, at least we didn't.

Don't forget to pack you Rosemary and Cedarwood cream, flies are likely to be pretty friendly this time of year

Cheers Andrew

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

And take a big hat.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

3 of us towed campers into Finke River Gorge from the north in May and camped at Boggy Hole. Great spot. We drove to the southern end of the gorge /park and back and that end would have been no more difficult with our camper trailers [ including a T Van]. National Parks advises against towing there but does not ban it. Have your camper at 10PSI, font 14 psi and back at 16 psi and you should get through. It will be bloody hot at this time of the year. Take LOTS of water.

[Graz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Graz]

Dont miss ormiston gorge.Great camp spot $10 a night though.

[hawks667 Member Find all posts View Profile Close hawks667]

And take a big hat.

And a fly net...

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Thanks everyone. Interestingly its bloody wet on the way as best I can tell. Marree had 87mm of rain? So hat, flynet and raincoat.... done. Just need Jetstar to hit the cancellation button which they have not done for our flight yet......

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

You need to read the last line in Bushbashers signature, just sayin.

Cheers Andrew