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Walkers Crossing (no water)
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Walkers Crossing

Difficulty: Trek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD Bike 
Route for driving between Birdsville and Innamincka through the flood plain country of the nothern overlow of the Cooper Creek before rising onto the Sturt Stony Desert on the Birdsville Track.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesBirdsville
Trek
FinishInnamincka
Distance350.46 kmMinimum Days1
Average Speed53.43 km/hrDriving Time6 hr 33 min
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 18 Sep 2008
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 Description

This track is a designated Public Access Route. It offers an alternative route for driving between Birdsville and Innamincka through the flood plain country of the nothern overlow of the Cooper Creek before rising onto the Sturt Stony Desert on the Birdsville Track. Unmaintained and often impassable due to rain or floods this track is strictly dry weather only. It takes around 6 hours in good conditions. The track also passes through private property and SANTOS gas and oil field operations. Please follow the markers carefully to avoid becoming lost in the maze of tracks. It is definately 4WD only and travel in the company of a convoy or with a digital navigational mapping system guiding the way is recommended.

 Interactive Route Map

BirdsvilleBirdsville Tk & Birdsville Dev RdBirdsville Tk, SA-QLD BorderBlue Ute Bore 1Birdsville Tk & Walkers Crossing TkChristmas CreekKilanjennie WaterholeWalker's CrossingGidgealpa WaterholeWadrawadrinna WaterholeFifteen Mile Tk & Wills Grave AccessFifteen Mile Tk & Kings Marker AccessStrzelecki Tk & Fifteen Mile TkFifteen Mile Tk & Queerbidie Waterhole AccessInnamincka
Birdsville
Birdsville is a small town located in Western Queensland, Australia. The town is located 1590 kilometres west of the state capital, Brisbane, and 720 kilometres south of the city of Mount Isa. Birdsville is situated on the edge of the Simpson Desert, and the climate is very arid.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Airstrip Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services
Position: 139.3534ºE   25.8990ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Birdsville Tk & Birdsville Dev Rd
Distance: 3.91km
Average Speed: 49.39km/h
Birdsville Tk & Birdsville Dev Rd
Main 'T' intersection with Birdsville Track & Birdsville Developmental Road.
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 139.3787ºE   25.9176ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Birdsville Tk, SA-QLD Border
Distance: 9.22km
Average Speed: 43.79km/h
Features: Marker,Sign
Position: 139.3764ºE   25.9966ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Blue Ute Bore 1
Distance: 85.65km
Average Speed: 86.09km/h
Features: Water Supply
Position: 139.6383ºE   26.7118ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Birdsville Tk & Walkers Crossing Tk
Distance: 22.73km
Average Speed: 62.41km/h
Birdsville Tk & Walkers Crossing Tk
This is the junction of the 4WD only Walkers Crossing Track to Innamincka and Birdsville Track - a public access route (PAR) through pastoral leasehold land.
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 139.5356ºE   26.8709ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Christmas Creek
Distance: 74.9km
Average Speed: 43.83km/h
Christmas Creek
Christmas Creek near Kernacoopinna Waterhole.
Features: Water Body,River,Stream,FallsCamp Fee
Position: 139.8870ºE   27.3206ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Kilanjennie Waterhole
Distance: 15km
Average Speed: 61.88km/h
Features: Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 139.9208ºE   27.4498ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Walker's Crossing
Distance: 9.69km
Average Speed: 54.33km/h
Walker's Crossing
The 'Walker's Crossing' is an actual point along the Walkers Crosing route (4WD track between Innamincka and Birdsville). The crossing is named for Syd Walker who worked in SANTOS Field Services Division at Moomba.
Features: River Crossing
Position: 139.9186ºE   27.5294ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Gidgealpa Waterhole
Distance: 51.81km
Average Speed: 59.52km/h
Features: Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 140.1490ºE   27.8205ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Wadrawadrinna Waterhole
Distance: 39.47km
Average Speed: 73.86km/h
Features: Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 140.4605ºE   27.8811ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Fifteen Mile Tk & Wills Grave Access
Distance: 20.73km
Average Speed: 76.05km/h
Fifteen Mile Tk & Wills Grave Access
Turn off to Wills Grave
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.6175ºE   27.8007ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Fifteen Mile Tk & Kings Marker Access
Distance: 10.29km
Average Speed: 38.34km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.6871ºE   27.7834ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Strzelecki Tk & Fifteen Mile Tk
Distance: 5.59km
Average Speed: 42.98km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.7322ºE   27.7574ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Fifteen Mile Tk & Queerbidie Waterhole Access
Distance: 0.67km
Average Speed: 35.8km/h
Fifteen Mile Tk & Queerbidie Waterhole Access
Queerbidie Waterhole Turn Off
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.7330ºE   27.7518ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Innamincka
Distance: 0.78km
Average Speed: 19.68km/h
Innamincka
Great place. Go on the Cooper Creek cruise. Well worth it. Pete is full of information, the bird life and the river gums are magnificent in the setting sun. September 2007.
Features: Populated PlaceRiver Crossing Walk Track Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee
Position: 140.7372ºE   27.7474ºS (GDA 94)

Route Control

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 Permits

None

 Things to See & Do
Birdsville   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Airstrip Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services
Birdsville is a small town located in Western Queensland, Australia. The town is located 1590 kilometres west of the state capital, Brisbane, and 720 kilometres south of the city of Mount Isa. Birdsville is situated on the edge of the Simpson Desert, and the climate is very arid.
Christmas Creek   
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee
Christmas Creek near Kernacoopinna Waterhole.
Gidgealpa Waterhole   
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.

 Preparation

All travellers are recommend to read the 4WDriving Topic for related articles and checklists for preparing your vehicle and ensuring you are aware of the necessary driving skills to tackle a trip of this nature.

All travellers should understand that mobile phones are not a reliable form of communication when driving in this region. We advise that you refer to the Communications Topic for related articles to help you decide what communications devices suit your budget and purpose.

NOTE: The Diamantina Shire (comprising the towns of Birdsville, Betoota and Bedourie) request that UHF Ch 8 and 38 are NOT to be used unless in an emergency - these channels are monitored by the Clinics, Police and station operators and must remain clear.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolBirdsville, Innamincka Diesel4cyl 49 litres ULP4cyl 57 litres LPG4cyl 70 litres
6cyl 54 litres6cyl 63 litres6cyl 62 litres
8cyl 57 litres8cyl 58 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Moomba Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 133.21km S
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 38.337.034.029.2 23.520.119.422.5 27.429.934.136.4
Mean Min. °C 24.523.820.515.9 10.87.56.68.4 12.715.819.522.2
Mean Rain mm 16.925.310.87.8 10.811.318.74.8 14.411.813.016.1
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Birdsville, Innamincka

 Camp Sites & Accomodation
Birdsville   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Airstrip Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services
Birdsville is a small town located in Western Queensland, Australia. The town is located 1590 kilometres west of the state capital, Brisbane, and 720 kilometres south of the city of Mount Isa. Birdsville is situated on the edge of the Simpson Desert, and the climate is very arid.
Innamincka   RatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place River Crossing Walk Track Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee
Great place. Go on the Cooper Creek cruise. Well worth it. Pete is full of information, the bird life and the river gums are magnificent in the setting sun. September 2007.
Christmas Creek   
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee
Christmas Creek near Kernacoopinna Waterhole.
Camping is available in Innamincka Regional Reserve, or along Christmas Creek. Do not camp in other sections of this track - this is part of the agreement of the PAR.

 Environment

Use wood for cooking sparingly in these places and take out all rubbish.

 History

Walkers Crossing is a an actual point along this route that is signed with PAR markers (WKX 126.4) The crossing is named for Syd Walker who worked in SANTOS Field Services Division at Moomba. He was responsible for the rebuilding of this crossing of the Cooper Creek which suffered regular flood damage. Soon after the project was completed Syd had a massive heart attack and in his honour, the men of Field Services decided to name the crossing after him and built a memorial at the crossing. Later an attempt was made to steal the plaque so Field Services removed it to Moomba for safe keeping.

 Driving Directions
Time
Direction
Distance
Birdsville to Birdsville Tk & Birdsville Dev Rd 3.91 km SE 129° 4 min
Birdsville Tk & Birdsville Dev Rd to Birdsville Tk, SA-QLD Border 9.22 km S 182° 12 min
Birdsville Tk, SA-QLD Border to Blue Ute Bore 1 85.65 km S 162° 59 min
Blue Ute Bore 1 to Birdsville Tk & Walkers Crossing Tk 22.73 km SW 210° 21 min
Birdsville Tk & Walkers Crossing Tk to Christmas Creek 74.9 km SE 145° 1 hr 42 min
Christmas Creek to Kilanjennie Waterhole 15 km S 167° 14 min
Kilanjennie Waterhole to Walker's Crossing 9.69 km S 181° 10 min
Walker's Crossing to Gidgealpa Waterhole 51.81 km SE 145° 52 min
Gidgealpa Waterhole to Wadrawadrinna Waterhole 39.47 km E 102° 32 min
Wadrawadrinna Waterhole to Fifteen Mile Tk & Wills Grave Access 20.73 km NE 60° 16 min
Fifteen Mile Tk & Wills Grave Access to Fifteen Mile Tk & Kings Marker Access 10.29 km E 74° 16 min
Fifteen Mile Tk & Kings Marker Access to Strzelecki Tk & Fifteen Mile Tk 5.59 km NE 57° 7 min
Strzelecki Tk & Fifteen Mile Tk to Fifteen Mile Tk & Queerbidie Waterhole Access 0.67 km N 8° 1 min
Fifteen Mile Tk & Queerbidie Waterhole Access to Innamincka 0.78 km NE 40° 2 min
Birdsville to Innamincka 350.46 km     6 hr 33 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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What Others have Posted

Pyro 1 : 22 Sep 08 17:56
Evening all, does anybody know if there is a direct route from Coon...
Pyro 1 : 17 Sep 08 21:20
Evening All, we are planning a second trip using walkers crossing ...

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