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Dalhousie to Finke via Bloods Ck

Difficulty: Trek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 3 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD AWD Camper Bike 
This trek connects the Red Centre and the Simpson Desert but also intersects the Old Ghan in numerous places and provides an interesting drive.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesDalhousie Springs
FinishFinke (Aputula)
Distance192.57 kmMinimum Days1
Average Speed58.66 km/hrDriving Time3 hours 16 mins
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 21 Nov 2007
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 Description

This route connects the Red Centre and the Simpson Desert but also intersects the Old Ghan in numerous places and provides an interesting drive for travellers that enjoy exploring old relics in a remote region of historic ruins and waterholes visited by profilic birdlife.

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Dalhousie to Finke via Bloods Ck Help

From: Dalhousie Springs
To: Finke (Aputula)

Distance: 192.57 km
Direction: 315 °
Average Speed: 58.66 km/hr
Travel Time: 3 hours 16 mins

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 Things to See & Do

Dalhousie Springs - SA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Rubbish Bin,Tip Toilet Camp Free
These hot, fresh water springs are very unique and are an outlet from the Great Artesian Basin. It is the largest known springs and the main spring offers a nice soothing swim for travellers after a hard day’s drive. Since the late 1990s, new camping facilities have provided a nice area to camp and relax within the Witjira National Park.
Bloods Creek Bore & Stockyards - SA   
Point of Interest 
Located at a 3 ways junction between Eringa, Abminga, and Mt Dare, stands Bloods Creek Bore (operated by windmill) with 2 tanks and stockyards. The bore required heavy drilling equipment which was provided by the government. The pump was operated by a huge windmill necessary due to the prevailing winds being only very light.
Abminga Ruins - SA   
Point of Interest 
The historic Old Ghan Railway had once passed through Abminga but all that is left is a water tower, discarded sections of the railway, fences and some fettler (railway maintenance worker) cottages.
Bloods Creek (Ruin) - SA   
Point of Interest 
This former place was named after J.H. S. Blood, who was stationmaster at the Peake telegraph office in 1872. Construction workers on the Overland Telegraph Line would camp at the two nearby waterholes. Evidence can be found nearby of the wine shanty and store. Various scrap metal, old engines etc are all that remain today.
Hughes Waterhole - SA   
River Crossing Point of Interest
This creek crossing has a steep, rough exit that would be slippery when wet. The waterhole is a good place for birdwatching with pelicans and finches reguarly seen. Could be good for yabbies!

 Preparation

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolFinke (Aputula) Diesel4cyl 27 litres ULP4cyl 31 litres LPG4cyl 39 litres
6cyl 30 litres6cyl 35 litres6cyl 34 litres
8cyl 30 litres8cyl 32 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
Fuel is also available at Mount Dare Hotel and Oodnadatta - see Mt Dare to Oodnadatta via Dalhousie.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Kulgera
Distance from Trek Mid Point 174.44km W
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 36.635.732.227.8 22.619.018.922.0 26.830.133.635.0
Mean Min. °C 21.921.518.013.7 9.25.64.96.8 11.114.918.520.5
Mean Rain mm 32.235.732.714.3 12.217.512.59.2 16.221.021.833.5
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Finke (Aputula)

 Camp Sites & Accommodation

Dalhousie Springs - SA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Rubbish Bin,Tip Toilet Camp Free
These hot, fresh water springs are very unique and are an outlet from the Great Artesian Basin. It is the largest known springs and the main spring offers a nice soothing swim for travellers after a hard day’s drive. Since the late 1990s, new camping facilities have provided a nice area to camp and relax within the Witjira National Park.
3 O'clock Creek - SA   RatingRatingRating
Camp Free 
Visitors to 3 O'clock Creek may camp here provided they have a Desert Parks Pass. The bush camping area has drinking water, shady spots and firewood.
Finke (Aputula) - NT   
Populated Place Fuel Food,Shopping Aboriginal Lands,Communities Camp Fee
Finke, also known as Aputula is administered by the Aputula Aboriginal Land Trust. Facilities, goods and services available at Finke (Aputula) include: food, water, fuel, EFTPOS, medical services, postal services, some mechanical and tyre repairs, public phone, tourist information, toilets, showers, accommodation and camping facilities.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Dalhousie Springs to Spring Creek Delta Track & Pedirka Track 3.41 km SW 223° 5 min
Spring Creek Delta Track & Pedirka Track to 3 O'clock Creek 8.02 km W 256° 9 min
3 O'clock Creek to Dalhousie Rd & Bloods Creek Rd 23.89 km NW 310° 26 min
Dalhousie Rd & Bloods Creek Rd to Hughes Waterhole 4.59 km W 292° 4 min
Hughes Waterhole to Bloods Creek (Ruin) 10.6 km NW 294° 12 min
Bloods Creek (Ruin) to Bloods Creek Bore & Stockyards 1.83 km NW 295° 2 min
Bloods Creek Bore & Stockyards to Gate - Bloods Creek Tk 9.11 km W 273° 7 min
Gate - Bloods Creek Tk to Bloods Creek 7.5 km W 270° 6 min
Bloods Creek to Bloods Creek Tk & Eringa/Abminga Tk 18.87 km W 279° 15 min
Bloods Creek Tk & Eringa/Abminga Tk to Abminga Creek & Six Mile Bore 13.54 km NE 27° 15 min
Abminga Creek & Six Mile Bore to Abminga Waterhole 3.21 km E 78° 4 min
Abminga Waterhole to Abminga Ruins 0.57 km NE 48°
Abminga Ruins to Border - SA and NT 15.82 km N 14° 16 min
Border - SA and NT to Abminga Creek Tk & New Crown/Mt Dare Tk 10.81 km N 16° 11 min
Abminga Creek Tk & New Crown/Mt Dare Tk to Charlotte Bore 0.23 km W 282°
Charlotte Bore to Gate - New Crown/Mt Dare Tk 3.5 km NW 312° 2 min
Gate - New Crown/Mt Dare Tk to Mary Ann Bore 17.33 km N 342° 14 min
Mary Ann Bore to New Crown - Finke Rd & New Crown - Andado Rd 8.57 km N 358° 7 min
New Crown - Finke Rd & New Crown - Andado Rd to Finke (Aputula) 31.19 km W 292° 25 min
Dalhousie Springs to Finke (Aputula) 192.57 km     3 hr 16 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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