SA Deserts Road Conditions
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Section/Road/Name
Status
Comments
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WA/SA Border to Coober Pedy
Open 4WD
This part of the Highway has some washouts and short stretches of bad corrugations.
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Section/Road/Name
Status
Comments
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Birdsville Track (Mungeranie to Birdsville)
Open 4WD
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Birdsville Track Marree to Mungeranie
Open 4WD
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Inside Track
Closed
Flooding
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Mungeranie to Kalamurina
Closed
Updated: 8/02/2010 8:49:00 AM
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Section/Road/Name
Status
Comments
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15 Mile Track and access to Cooper Creek
Open 4WD
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Bollards Lagoon/Bore Track
Open 4WD
Contact Bollards Lagoon (61 8 8091 3873) prior to crossing private land.
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Coongie Track
Open 4WD
.
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Cordillo Downs Rd - Innamincka to Birdsville Dev R
Open 4WD
With care
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Cullyamurra Track
Open
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Innamincka to the Border via Arrabury Turnoff
Closed
high clearance
Updated: 8/02/2010 8:48:05 AM
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Innamincka Town Area
Open
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Innaminicka - Nappa Marrie
Closed
Updated: 8/02/2010 8:48:01 AM
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Innaminka Causeway
Open
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Innaminka Regional Reserve
Open 4WD
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Merty merty to Camerons Corner
Closed
Updated: 8/02/2010 8:45:46 AM
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Moomba to Gidgealpa
Closed
Updated: 8/02/2010 8:46:00 AM
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Moomba to Innamincka
Open
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Walkers Crossing
Open 4WD
Extreme caution - sand drifts
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Section/Road/Name
Status
Comments
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Marree to Muloorina
Closed
Updated: 8/02/2010 8:45:00 AM
Care must be taken as there have been many accidents last year, mostly due to speed and inexperience. Don''t let good track conditions give you a false sence of security as conditions can change suddenly.
Drive according to track conditions, accidents in the Outback nearly always results in a roll over, not a good way to end to a holiday or worse still your life!
Temperatures can be extreme in the summer, be prepared with extra water and ensure someone knows your itinery.
Currently days are cool to warm, with cold nights.
Call Mt Dare Hotel for more info, 08 8670 7835 or www.mtdare.com.au or www.outbackpubs.com.au
For roads to the North of Mt Dare see the
NT Road Conditions - Mt Dare section +-
Section/Road/Name
Status
Comments
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Hamilton Stn to Dalhousie Springs via Pedirka ruin
Open 4WD
This is always a slow, rough track, take care and slow down in rutted sections as this track is the cause of many roll overs, Dalhousie Pass or a Desert Parks Pass is needed for this area. High clearance, 4x4 ONLY. (1¾ hr 85 km)
NOTE: Drop your tire pressure by at least 20% (from highway pressure) for travel on these outback tracks (or until they bulge a little), the risk of tire damage is greatly reduced and you will have better traction (see June 05 issue of 4x4 magazine). Please leave ALL gates as you found them, in a convoy make this CLEAR to the last vehicle through the gate, we still find some gates left open. SLOW DOWN for oncoming traffic or when being overtaken, don’t worry you won’t be late! In the interest of safety, or just a broken windscreen. Check out www.mtdare.com.au for more tips.
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Mt Dare to Andado (Back rd to alice)
Open 4WD
This is one of the outback’s picturesque drives through the Finke River floodout, this track is OK but slow, with bulldust in places. Molly Clark pops in from time to time; you are welcome to have a look around or camp. The old homestead is like a living museum; watch out for Cattle. There are many gates, leave them as you find them, 4x4 is recomended... (2 hr, 100 km).
FINKE – MT DARE. This track is mostly good with some corrugations, slow down for oncoming traffic. There is no fuel available for the public at New Crown Station. Watch out for Cattle and leave gates as you find them, New Crown-Andado and Andado-Border gates MUST be closed at all times. UHF repeater channel 6 covers this area. Grading has just been completed (1.5 hr, 100 km)
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Mt Dare to Dalhousie Springs
Open 4WD
Take care and slow down in rutted sections, becoming very corrugated due to the high volume of 4wd’s, there are no shops or fuel available at Dalhousie Springs; but there are two dumps for your rubbish. Dalhousie Pass or Desert Parks Pass are needed for this area. UHF repeater channel 6 covers some of this area. (1 ¼ hr 70 km)
CAMP FIRES ARE PERMITTED AT Mt DARE, IN THE WITJIRA & SIMPSON DESERT NATIONAL PARKS. Fire wood can be collected at 3 o’clock creek, Abminga creek (7km south of Mt Dare) and Charlotte Waters. Collect wood for Mt Dare before you arrive, no fire wood can be collected once you are there.
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Mt Dare to Hamilton Stn via Eringa
Open 4WD
Beware of cattle & on-coming traffic and bad corrugations traveling over the Sand hills just south of Hamilton Homestead. Eringa Waterhole has filled up and a notice board outlines some Kidman history. Watch out for Cattle. No pass needed for this track. UHF repeater channel 6 covers some of this area. (3.5 hr, 250 km)
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Oodnadatta to Hamilton Stn
Open 4WD
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Section/Road/Name
Status
Comments
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Bopeechee to Roxby Downs
Open
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Lake Eyre - Access via Halligan Bay Track
Open 4WD
Open to 4WD with caution. This track is a declared Public Access Route. Sections of the road have been graded, so please drive according to road conditions. Driving on the Lake surface is an offence and dangerous. Recommended speed of 40km/h once reaching gibber country and dropping down to Lake Eyre.
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Lake Eyre - Access via Level Post Bay
Open 4WD
Open to 4WD with caution. This track is a declared Public Access Route. Driving on the Lake surface is an offence and dangerous. Major sand drifts have occurred on the road to level post bay and the car park area at Level Post Bay and extreme caution should be taken to avoid becoming bogged. If in doubt, check the sand dune area for conditions before entering or take the short walk from the Lake Eyre National Park sign to the lake (approximately 150 metres).
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Mintabie Road
Caution
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Mount Barry to Arckaringa
Open 4WD
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Mount Barry to San Marino
Open 4WD
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Oodnadatta to Coober Pedy
Open
caution at creek crossings,and wheel rutted sections
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Oodnadatta to Coober Pedy via Moon Plain
Open
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Oodnadatta Track - Bopeechee to William Creek
Open
caution at creek crossings,and wheel rutted sections
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Oodnadatta Track - Marree to William Creek
Open 4WD
caution at creek crossings,and wheel rutted sections
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Oodnadatta Track - Oodnadatta to Marla
Open
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Oodnadatta Track - William Creek to Oodnadatta
Open
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Painted Desert Road
Open 4WD
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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William Creek Rd - William Creek to Coober Pedy
Open
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
Closure at end of Nov - Due to Heavy rain in area.The Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Conservation Park will be closed from December 1 2009 to March 15 2010. The closure is due to the combination of high summer temperatures, soft sand dunes and low visitation which can lead to visitors being stranded. This is a high public risk that can be fatal.
It is NOT recommended to travel without a Sat-Phone or HF radio (Sat-Phones can be hired from Mt Dare Hotel (08 8670 7835) or Birdsville Info Centre (07 4656 3300).
The 4WD Radio Network provides travelers with road and weather reports during daily scheduled broadcasts via the VKS737 HF radio network, call 08 8287 6222 for more info.
Weather conditions can change rapidly so travelers should be prepared with extra fuel, water and supplies, temperatures can be extreme in the summer, 50 deg plus. The Spring Creek Delta or Eyre Creek often flood when it rains causing delays for a few days.
In the event of a breakdown and you don’t have
Travel within the Simpson Desert requires a SA Desert Parks Pass, which is also of use for travelling in the surrounding areas. See
Permits Page for more information.
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Section/Road/Name
Status
Comments
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AAK (Knolls) Track
Closed
Approdinna Attora Knolls are a Gypsum formation and quite unusual in contrast to the desert.
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Dalhousie to Purni Bore
Closed
The Spring Creek Delta track is closed and a new By-pass track called the “Bingy Lowe Track” is now permanently in place, follow detour signs as directed. This new track is much more accessible when wet. A Desert Parks Pass is needed for this area including the Simpson. (1.75 hr 70 km)
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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French Line
Closed
FRENCH LINE, PURNI – POEPPEL CORNER, This track is slow going and sandy all the way (15–20 km/h) and has been getting rougher over the years; reduced tyre pressures are necessary. Beware of steep “drop offs” on the western face of the dunes. Scalloping is caused by vehicles with incorrect tyre pressure, towing a trailer or driving in 2wd, trailers are definitely not recommended on the French Line (use the Rig rd). It’s very important to CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE (18 – 22 psi, including the trailer if you really must take one). It’s a good sand challenge, DEFINITELY USE 4x4. (11½ hr, 195 km)
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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K1 Line
Closed
The K1 is a good run (11 hr, 399 km).
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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QAA Line via Eyre Creek flood by-pass,
Closed
Flooding of the Eyre and Warburton Creeks has altered through access to Birdsville. QAA Line to Birdsville is open by the Eyre Creek flood by-pass,
QAA LINE, POEPPEL CORNER – BIRDSVILLE, Just like the French Line only the sand dunes get bigger, with the biggest being BIG RED. There is a detour around this giant dune if you can’t get over it, (don’t kill yourself trying). Take care at salt lakes as they can be a bit wet; drive in existing wheel tracks only, USE 4x4. (6 ½ hr, 170 km)
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Rig Road
Closed
This track is the least demanding but has been deteriorating over the years and becoming quite rough; with its clay capping slowly breaking up care must be taken when cresting sand dunes, this track can have corrugations, deep washouts & rutting. Sand dunes between the Knolls track and the K-1 Line are more difficult to cross especially from the west. The K1 is a good run (11 hr, 399 km).
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Simpson Desert
Closed
The Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Conservation Park will be Closed from end of Nov 2009 (early closure due to Rain) Until March 15 2010 (Seasonal Closure)
Check local conditions before travelling in the area. Satellite phones are available to hire for Simpson Desert trips from Mt Dare Hotel and the Wirrari Tourism Centre in Birdsville. Contact Mt Dare on 08 8670 7835/Wirrarri Centre 07 4656 3300.
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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The Rocks Road
Closed
PERMANENTLY CLOSED don’t use this track at all unless you have permission from the Oodnadatta Police. (08) 8670 7805
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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WAA Line
Closed
This is the same as the French Line but with smaller dunes and very picturesque after rain. While in this area take a look at the Knolls; this is a scenic but fragile part of the Simpson, please stay on the track. USE 4x4. (11 hr, 237 km)
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Warburton Track
Closed
No ACCESS to Birdsville Track due to being soft boggy and still flooded.
Please obey Signs and Road Closures when posted.
Track is currently flooded, though normally rough and unsuitable for trailers
Feedback welcome.
Call Mungerannie Hotel for more details 08 8675 8317.
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Witjira National Park
Closed
Open to 4WD with caution. Open to 4WD with caution. Caution is required on on corrugated sections of roads. Spring Creek Delta is permanantly closed , so use the by-pass road east of Dalhousie Springs.
Check local conditions before travelling. Please call the Desert Parks hotline on 1800 816 078 for further information. A public phone (card only) is available at Dalhousie Springs. (Note: Phone cards not available at Dalhousie) Camping should be restricted to Dalhousie Springs, 3 O’clock Creek and Purni Bore while within Witjira National Park.
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
Due to late Nov rain - 4WD Only - 4WD/HV - Caution Floodways, Creeks,
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Section/Road/Name
Status
Comments
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Della to Innaminka
Closed
Updated: 8/02/2010 8:41:21 AM
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Moomba to Della
Closed
Updated: 8/02/2010 8:41:11 AM
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Moomba to Merty Merty
Closed
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Mount Hopeless to Merty Merty
Closed
Caution at grid approaches
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Strzelecki Track - Lyndhurst to Moomba
Closed
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Strzelecki Track - Lyndhurst to Mt Hopeless
Closed
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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Strzelecki Track - Mt Hopeless to Innamincka
Closed
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
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The Knob to Moolawatana
Closed
Updated: 2/02/2010 9:24:28 AM
SA Deserts Weather & Climate
Closest Weather Station
Oodnadatta at 02:30 10 Feb CDT
Distance from Oodnadatta 0.98km S
| Temperature | Feels Like | Rel. Humidity | Dew Point | Pressure | Rainfall | Wind Direction | Wind Speed | Gusts |
|---|
| 30.3°C |
29.7°C |
44% |
16.7°C |
1012.6hPa |
0.0mm |
E |
15km/h
8knots |
19km/h
10knots |
Closest Climatic Station
Oodnadatta Airport
Distance from Oodnadatta 0.98km S
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Mean Max. °C |
37.7 | 36.6 | 33.7 | 28.5 |
23.2 | 19.9 | 19.5 | 22.0 |
26.5 | 30.2 | 33.8 | 36.4 |
| Mean Min. °C |
22.8 | 22.3 | 19.2 | 14.4 |
9.8 | 6.6 | 5.8 | 7.4 |
11.4 | 15.0 | 18.5 | 21.2 |
| Mean Rain mm |
24.6 | 32.2 | 12.3 | 11.2 |
12.8 | 12.6 | 10.5 | 7.8 |
9.3 | 14.1 | 11.3 | 16.5 |
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