Marree to Birdsville

Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 at 17:28

Trakkie2

Related Article

Birdsville Track
Birdsville Track
The Birdsville Track runs south from Birdsville to Maree and passes through the Sturt Stony ...

Related Shop Item

Birdsville Track - The Outback Travellers GuideOverall Rating 4.25/5
Series 1 Fourteen stripmaps break the Birdsville Track into identifiable sections giving ...
Price $19.95   View Item...

Related Place

Taking a ride on the ferry
Cooper Creek Ferry
Only operates when the Cooper Creek floods and cuts the Birdsville Track,...
I have seen conflicting details on the Birsville Track.

Can anyone confirm if the he Cooper Crossing is open yet??

I would like to take my van up the track in mid June

Cheers
Thumbs UpThanks 0
Back to Forum
Thread Watch Alert Moderator FAQ
ThreadID: 95293 Replies: 4
Views: 1114 FollowUps: 2
This Thread has been Archived
Thread Summary
AnswerID: 484728   Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 at 17:54

olcoolone replied:

The track is open with cautions from Marree to Mungeranie but anything can happen in 6 weeks..... I suggest you learn how to find out yourself.... try this link.

http://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/OutbackRoads

So what happens if it's open now and in 4 weeks we have big rains and it's closed.... what do you do?

It's not unusual for tracks in that area and other parts of Australia to become closed overnight from big rains...... tracks may be closed for a few days up to months..... may be accessible only with high clearance 4x4's with no trailers.

Next thing is don't rely on internet forums for up to date information and road conditions..... the only time it may work is if you ask the question today and your leaving tomorrow and you get a reply from someone who has travelled it in the last 48 hours.

One thing you never mentioned was what 4x4 are you using, what caravan and most important what experience you have.

You might think I being a bit hard on you and I'm sure some others will as well but asking a question like yours there is no straight answer.

Thumbs UpThanks 0
Reply 1 of 4
AnswerID: 484740   Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 at 18:44

Member - moparcm replied:

the whole track is open i was up there last week and got through all the way. They are doing roadworks at the cooper crossing so is down to 25km/h. They have also graded the road from around 85km out of birdsville so is pretty smooth.
life is a journey not a destination
enjoy the trip
Thumbs UpThanks 0
Reply 2 of 4
FollowupID: 760047   Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 at 05:53

Trakkie2 posted:

Thanks moparcm.: That is the answer I was after. I normally travel the track every year and know the the pitfalls of looking ahead and weather changes.
Thumbs UpThanks 0
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 484751   Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 at 20:10

mikehzz replied:

I did it a few years ago just after a lot of heavy rain. There was lots of water over the road and the ferry was operating. The track had only just reopened and had not been graded, it was a mess of mud for almost the entire length. A little VW Tiguan softroader towing a good sized off road camper trailer followed me the whole way.... Thumbs UpThanks 0
Reply 3 of 4
AnswerID: 484772   Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 at 22:12

Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) replied:

Hi Trakkie 2

Providing that the Track is dry, it is a great drive, but if wet, keep well clear of it. We have driven it many times over the years in every type of driving conditions and having been caught out for 3 days at Mungaranie due to flooded roads, it is no fun.

There is a lot to see along the way and for a first time drive, allow 3 comfortable days to see the track and in that way it will be an easy trip for the van.

Make sure that your tyre are up to the drive and as a bare minimum, have a good plug repair kit for "just in case" situations.

Have a read of the Blog that I have written on the Track, and it will give you a better understanding of what you can expect to see and experience along the way.

Birdsville Track Blog


Cheers



Stephen

Roxby Downs Special
Lifetime Member: My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
Thumbs UpThanks 0
Reply 4 of 4
FollowupID: 760030   Submitted: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 at 22:22

Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) posted:

Sorry I should have also noted and answered one of your direct questions.

The Birdsville Track Cooper Creek was taken out of service at 10am on the 12th of January 2012 when Track conditions were back to good conditions and it was possible again to drive a conventional 2 wheel drive vehicle the full lenght of the Track.



Cheers



Stephen
Roxby Downs Special
Lifetime Member: My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
Thumbs UpThanks 0
FollowUp 1 of 1
SPONSOR MESSAGE Become a Sponsor
This could be an advert for your business!
Sponsorship of this page is available now – and for much less than you might think. Find out how you can reach Australia's largest online audience in the 4WD/RV/Camping industry.
www.exploroz.com/Advertising/Default.aspx