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
Loading
Base Map
Zoom & Scale
Customise
Upload
Currently only GPX files are supported
Cancel
Walkers Crossing
From: Birdsville
To: Innamincka
Distance: 350.46 km
Direction: 147 °
Average Speed: 53.43 km/hr
Travel Time: 6 hours 33 mins
Using the Map
Our treks have a moving map facility, to take a virtual tour click on the Play button in the Moving map control (see Moving Map help)
Mouse Position:
Moving Map
Speed (5 secs)
Live Tracking
Auto Refresh (1 min, next 60 secs)
Permits
None
Things to See & Do
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
 | Birdsville, Innamincka |
Diesel | 4cyl 49 litres |
ULP | 4cyl 57 litres |
LPG | 4cyl 70 litres |
|---|
| 6cyl 54 litres | 6cyl 63 litres | 6cyl 62 litres |
| 8cyl 55 litres | 8cyl 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 142.49km S
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Mean Max. °C |
38.3 | 37.0 | 34.0 | 29.2 |
23.5 | 20.1 | 19.4 | 22.5 |
27.4 | 29.9 | 34.1 | 36.4 |
| Mean Min. °C |
24.5 | 23.8 | 20.5 | 15.9 |
10.8 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 8.4 |
12.7 | 15.8 | 19.5 | 22.2 |
| Mean Rain mm |
16.9 | 25.3 | 10.8 | 7.8 |
10.8 | 11.3 | 18.7 | 4.8 |
14.4 | 11.8 | 13.0 | 16.1 |
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 & Accommodation
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
| 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.
Simpson Desert
The Simpson Desert can be crossed via the French Line, WAA line or Rig Road. This trek provides a route using a combination of all 3 routes.
[Feature Story]
Trek Search
ExplorOz Trek Notes are detailed, factual reviews of destinations in Australia to which you can plan a self-drive camping trip. This page will enable you to access over 100 of these trek notes, using various search methods and at a glance you can see what treks we have in each area across Australia.
Simpson Desert French Line
The French Line is the most direct route across the desert and traverses directly across the tops of over 1200 red sand dunes, with Big Red being the major challenge.
Strzelecki Track
The Stzrelecki Track is strictly the route form Innamincka to Lyndhurst, however our trek note is for travellers starting at Innamincka and travelling down to Arkaroola Village in the heart of the Flinders Ranges.
Simpson Desert Rig Road
The Rig Road is the most southern access across the Simpson Desert. It is a longer route because it winds along the edge of dunes and crosses at the lowest points. Old clay-topped track is now eroding, but was once used for moving heavy equipment.
Simpson Desert WAA Line
This track is similar to the French Line and although it has smaller dunes, it is very picturesque especially after rain. While in this area take a look at the Knolls, which is a scenic but fragile part of the Simpson so please stay on the track.
Innamincka Memorials and Markers
This trek which lies purely in the Innamincka Regional Reserve follows the memorials, markers and waterholes along Cooper Creek. It is a trek filled with history and culture from the Burke and Wills Expedition to protected Aboriginal sites and artefacts.
Birdsville Track
The Birdsville Track runs south from Birdsville to Maree and passes through the Sturt Stony Desert. It is an extremely remote region but is strikingly beautiful in its harshness.
Oodnadatta Track
If you’re a history buff you’re going to go nuts crossing the Oodnadatta Track. The track follows the orignal Ghan line from Marla to Oodnadatta and then on to Marree. There's stacks of ruins, mound springs, excellent conservation park information & railway sidings/rubble.
Dig Tree Circuit
This loop trek from Innamincka will take you on a historic adventure, heading towards The Burke and Wills "Dig Tree", which is one of Australia's national icons and an enduring reminder of our pioneering spirit.
Inside Track
The Inside Track was gazetted as a public road on 16th January 2002 and provides an alternative route that is also 35km shorter than the main Birdsville Track.
Cordillo Downs
This is the main route from Innamincka to Birdsville. The track is about 420km and conditions vary greatly. The countryside is a seemingly endless gibber plain but this is Australia's prime cattle country - the Channel Country.
Bore Track
The Bore Track is an access road for oil company vehicles and for property owners. This track is a great alternative to the wide gravel road of the Strzelecki Track which is more a highway than a track.
Mt Dare to Oodnadatta via Dalhousie
This trek provides an easy opportunity to access Dalhousie Springs, one of the main icons of the Simpson Desert without a significant detour if touring between South Australia and the Red Centre.
Dalhousie to Finke via Bloods Ck
This trek connects the Red Centre and the Simpson Desert but also intersects the Old Ghan in numerous places and provides an interesting drive.
Painted Desert
The Painted Desert has to be the highlight of the South Australian Desert experience. This trek from Coober Pedy takes as little as one day, but if you are a photographer or painter, you may choose to spend an entire week in the Painted Desert.
