Oodnadatta & Birdsville Tracks in August

[Malcur Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Malcur]

Hi guys,

We are planning a trip to central Australia in August. Current plans are to head to Camerons Corner, then on to Innaminka, then off to Birdsville via Cordillo Downs. From there down to Marree, then on the Oodnadatta track to Oodnadatta. Go through the Painted Desert to Coober Pedy, then down to Flinders Ranges. A few days there and then its off to Broken Hill and home. Total time away 4 weeks.

I have a Prado towing a CT and we are going with my sister & bro-in-law who are driving an 80 series & towing an off-road caravan. No kids or pets to worry about.

I have read a few of the posts on Oodnadatta track and am looking forward to exploring that part of Australia. Has anyone who has been to these areas got any thoughts, ideas on road conditions, things to see etc.? Any comments on decent caravan parks would also be helpful. The girls are hoping for a good shower every couple of days!!


Mal

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

Malcur,
We have been to all these places and found that they are adequately covered with parks of a sort. Tibboburra is the place to stay on the way out to Cameron's Corner although there are cabins at the corner. Innaminka is on the river and there are Council showers that are fine near the general store. Birdsville has a great park by the lagoon. We stayed at the cabins there as we were looking for a break but the park is large enough and has some tree cover in places. Marree has two parks. We stopped at the one slightly outside town. Soft grass, good facilities. Oonadatta - Denis at the pink roadhouse is the only show in town. The park is behind the shop and is very basic, but it has wet showers and although the ground is hard and not great for camping, it is fine for a camper. I am glad you are going through the painted desert, it is not to be missed. Coober pedy is not a thrill although the kids might enjoy the unusual nature of the place. Two parks, both good.

I would recommend that you get some books ab out the route. Perhaps the Tait's book on caravaning around Oz and a good Hema all in one map book with parks marked. You can call ahead each night, but we didn't really need to to.

Hope that this helps alittle. Good luck, it is a great trip and you should enjoy it.

Regards

Martin

PS Visit my picture site and you will see parts of our trip.

[Malcur Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Malcur]

Thanks for that in-depth response Martin. My shower comment was a bit tongue-in-cheek, although you can never tell with the women!! We do have a Coleman hot-water-on-demand shower unit if things get desparate. :?

What are the roads like? From what I can read, it seems that mostly they are in pretty good condition these days (not really 4wd required). What was your experience? :?:

Mal

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

Mal,
We did the Oodnadatta in a Tribute and a camper trailer and found no problems, however, the weather was perfect. The roads varied between smooth graded surface to corrugations which rattled our teeth. We saw 2wd with caravans on the track! On the Birdsville and Strez we had a Prado with the same camper. I would have been somewhat concerned if we had 2wd as the sand got a bit thick in places. The other concern is the weather. If it turns, as it did on the last part of the Oodna..., we were very happy to have part-time 4wd as it got slippery and stopped some other 4wds on the track. We did the Old Birdsville track and thought that we would not want to get caught there as it is below the surrounding land and would fill with water and mud. I suppose I am saying that it is good insurance and that leads to peace of mind. In the worst case it might save our skin if it got really dicey.

If you do a seach on Google you will get reliable sites which will give you track conditions. In addition I would suggest that you ask the question in this site and any other, regarding the track conditions. People who have very recently travelled along them will be able to comment. when you are on the road, you should speak to the locals. They have the best info on the tracks and are mostly interesting characters and the conversations can lead to some good suggestions as to where to go. Dennis at the Pink Roadhouse encouraged us to go to the Moon Plains and the Painted Desert. It turned out to be the best decision. The bottom line is that they are rarely really bad now a days and if they are they are closed. Big fines if you disobey!!

If it is dry, the issue is punctures, so carry good spares, two at least and one for the camper. When it is wet the issue is the mud that fills up the wheels. When it happens it feels like the car is hugely out of balance. The mechanics love it and charge you to clean them. Try getting under and scrapping it out first.

I have put my link in this post so that you can see the places that we have gone.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mpnaylor

Regards Martin

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

Re: Oodnadatta & Birdsville Tracks in August

Current plans are to head to Camerons Corner,
If you ae going from the east to CC, then check on road condition between Wanaaring and Tibooburra, that road is a shockerand if it hasnt been graded in the prior 4 months I would avoid it, it is seriously bad
There is good camping in the National Park down the road in NSW or Tibooburra is good

then on to Innaminka,
Take the Bore track out of CC to "mincka, by far the nicest drive It is the first track on your right befoe you get to the Old strez, costs $10 payable at Bollards homestead, but worth every cent
Lots o excellent camping at Town common, Policemans Point etc on the river, showers and stuff in town opossite Pub

then off to Birdsville via Cordillo Downs.
This road can be very corrugted (nearly guaranteed), be prepared for a big day out
Plenty of faclities here

From there down to Marree,
THe Birdsville Track is like a runway most of the time...no problem
My choice of places t stay in Maree is the park up the north end of town
Very entertaining place...spa's (yes really) and good night time crack in the cattleyard

then on the Oodnadatta track to Oodnadatta.
The Ood s a great drive with lots to see,allow plenty of time, you can bush camp or stay along the track in any number of paces, hard to find a bad one. William Creek Pub is a must visit, actually I think it is illegal to drive padt without stopping in for at least one beer

Pleny written elsewhere on the Pink Roadhouse at Ood, keep an open mind, its all good

Go through the Painted Desert to Coober Pedy
Painted desert at sunrise is not to be missed...sensational
Cober Pedy is fascinating, if you like "world class" restaurants you will find them here, no joke they are top shelf. If you get the chance stay a night in an underground motel, very different, do it

then down to Flinders Ranges. A few days there
Do your rsearch, the Flinders has so much to offer, the hyped up touristy joint arent always the best
http://www.lcool.org/trips/Flinders07/default.htm
Lots ofod info in that

Regards

Glen

[Malcur Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Malcur]

Thanks for that detailed response, Glen. I have stayed in an underground motel in Coober Pedy and agree with your comments. It was an interesting and enjoyable experience.

Mal

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Don't forget the birdsville races are on in early september 6/7th i think. :wink:

[Yota Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Yota]

Don't forget the birdsville races are on in early september 6/7th i think. :wink:

Ill be there,
Me and my old man are planing a very simalar trip, up through Camrons Corner and up to Birdsville for the races than down the birdsville track. Leaving the east coast round about the 1st of Sep.

[Guest Close Guest]

The birdsville races will be the last weekend of a 12 week tour of oz incl fraser is and cape york so i'll be the one with the stomach too match "norms".
Cheers
Ken