This is more of a General info for anyone gathering info, rather than a question. We have just done The
Birdsville and Strezlecki track. Here are some general comments from the trip.
1. Don't take lat/long maps. This may cause some comments but lets be honest. They don't have topographical info and when in the desert, every
hill is important when working out where to go. A fork in an outback track which wasn't marked on the maps 10 years ago is much easier to pick on a
grid reference than lat/long.
2. I travelled with Cooper ST's and my friends with Desert Duelers. Though they have now seen better days we covered over 3000km's with no flats or punctures. Just lower the tyre pressure and drive for the conditions.
3. The road out to Burkes dig tree is shocking with large rocks the whole way. This is a bit of a loop track but we thought it would be worse on the back end of it (return to town) as it is marked as a staggered line on the map as opposed to a solid line for the track we took. We later found out that the back loop of the road was in better condition. Best to
check with the locals before going out there.
4. Big Red is not on the main road but rather a km or two off to the right on a side track. We spent about 1hr on the "false" track then found the real one later so of course we had to spend more time there. As it's coming to the end of tourist time now the sand was very very soft and difficult to get up. Best to lower tyre pressure to about 12-15psi.
5.
Coongie Lakes is a beautiful spot and worth the visit. Try to stay the night out there rather than have a rush day trip there. The track is very good going over a clay surface with sand. Very easy. Allow 1.5hrs to get there (one way).
6. Flies are shocking. Take a
fly net for your head. Always
cook after dark when the flies are gone.
7. We found that any trip we planned always took twice as long. By the time you stop for lunch and of course drive for the conditions we way under estimated the time from one place to another.
8. Apart from tyres the most important upgrade is
suspension. We did
Gawler Ranges on old shockers and got shaken to bits. When we got back I got TJM XGS put on. The difference in ride was unbelievable. My mate got shaken to bits and damage done to various parts of his car. We walked away with no problems on the GQ patrol. The deciding factor for me was when I read in a magazine that the purchase price of a good
suspension kit will save it's initial cost plus more in repairs on the car. I firmly believe this now.
9. Don't go up (or down!) there without a fridge. Great for morale to pull out a cold coke or juice during the day and a cold beer at night.
10. Sand flags, I believe, are important up there. Not just on the dunes as some of the main roads (going out to Camerons Corner) rolls over the dunes so it's impossible to see what is coming.
11. Communications. I took my portable Mortorold CB. I did not have any joy with calling the homesteads, or other vehicles. Either they did not want to answer or they did not have radios. Even on scan is was dead quiet. Very dissapointed with this part of the trip as I consider communications one of the most important parts of going away. My mate does not have a radio and this was difficult when trying to find
places for lunch etc.
Well thats about it. Hope this helps as it was in this
forum where I got heaps of info.
Cheers,
Gossy