Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) replied:

Hi Carolyn
That time of the year it will be very hot out on Googs Track. The long range weather forecast for SA is it could be one of the hottest January's on record. Even if it is not a record breaker, the sand will be very soft and towing any type of devise behind a vehicle, is going to make it one very hard trip. Temperatures over on the West Coast that time of the year will be well into the high 30's and in January in the 40's

Cheers

Stephen

Willem replied:

Yes you can tow a camper along Googs but you will most likely incur some scratches and remove somke paint along the sides of your camper.

December/January is definitely not a good time to be travelling in that area and I would urge you to reconsider your travel plans

Member - Mick O (VIC) replied:

Carolyn,

have a look at these blogs. There's a bit of video in there as well which may give you an idea of the conditions (and that's not the rough stuff mind you). The dunes are much higher and tougher in the north of the track, once past Mount Finke. Very hot in the January.

Googs Track - Cenduna to Googs Lake

Googs Track - Googs Lake, Mount Finke and monster dunes.

Cheers, Mick

Member - Russnic [NZ] replied:

Hi
I went South to North on Googs track last month.
Yes you could probably tow a camper through there but I don't think it would be much fun and personally I would not recommend it. The track is not very wide in places and overgrown. In itself that would not be a major problem except when the wheel ruts swing the vehicle from side to side as you try to keep the momentum up to climb some of the dunes. Towing a trailer one could expect some collateral damage and at least scratches. On one dune I ended up with some paint damage to the bullbar on the troopy as as we crested a dune and the ruts caused a tree/shrub to get in the way.
Great trip though, recent rain fall had refreshed the vegetation and lots of flowers.

RobAck replied:

If you are not experienced in off-road towing and on your own then I strongly suggest you do not do the track. The advice regarding weather is spot on as well.

I have looked at the caravan specs and cannot actually find if your caravan has a proper off-road hitch. If it does not then don't contemplate the trip at any time. If it does then that's fine

We operate tours out there regularly and it is quite easy to tow a T-van or similiar setup along Googs. But you need to have your tyre pressures well sorted and be skilled in off-road towing. Getting stuck on a one vehicle wide track and alone is not a great thought

Consider taking a turn through the Gawler Ranges, vist Mt Ive Station and Lake Gairdner and definately go to Kingoonya for a feed at the pub

Regards

RobA

Kumunara (NT) replied:

Carolyn



There is an interesting article on Googs Track in the 4x4 Australia magazine. It also includes other place's to visit if you return through the Gawler Ranges.

Did the trip on 4 occasions in the 80s when I lived on the Far West Coast of SA. Will have to go back and do it again one day.

On the subject of towing a Jayco through there - I wouldn't recommend it.



Tjilpi

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

Good move in not doing it in Dec/Jan.

Your 100series will tow the Jayco fine. We spent 2 weeks out there in August - travelling in both directions, and it was interesting looking at how the majority of others drove it. We ran pressures about 16-20psi and were able to walk over every dune at a snails pace. Others seemed to want to go at a great pace to get over them and spent a lot of time bouncing around on the scalloped southern faces of the dunes.

With due respect, I think Mick's video is a bit entertaining (nothing wrong with that!) but there are no monster dunes. Enjoy it - Yellabinna is one of Australia's largest stretches of low mallee country - plenty to see if you look around.

cheers
Phil

Member - Bucky replied:

Corolyn
You must like it hot !

Not this little blck duck

Cheers
Bucky

jeep cherokee replied:

My wife and i did the Googs track in April 2004 towing a Cameron camper trailer.Bear in mind you will be crossing over 300 sand dunes.Not all of them are hard but you will come across a few that might take more than one attempt to get over as we did (2 in total).A great experience.We took three days and two nights with the rest of the club. In hind sight it would have been better to have had a few more days to enjoy the scenery. Enjoy :)