googs track

Submitted: Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 19:49

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Googs Track

A most adventurous short-cut for those travelling from the west to Coober Pedy & the Alice. Excellent views and plenty of wildlife, featuring memorials dedicated to Goog and Dinger,

Googs Track

Section: Treks

A most adventurous 4WD short-cut for those travelling from the west to Coober Pedy & the Alice. Excellent views & plenty of wildlife, featuring Goog's Lake & Mt. Finke. No dogs permitted.

Googs Track - Outback Travellers Guide

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Series 4 - Track 3 Eight stripmaps break Googs Track into identifiable sections giving travellers information on regional roads, access routes, tourist information, historic snippets, fuel, water,

yabulu

Has anyone travelled Googs Track recently?. We are heading there next week going north
cheers
Denis

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Reply By: rotor138 - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:18

Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:18

Keep an eye on the weather, they're predicting 10-20mm at the northern end in the next couple of days.

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Follow Up By: yabulu - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:22

Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:22

Thanks for forecast & have been keeping a eye on it. Denis

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Reply By: Leafy Sea Dragon - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:36

Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:36

Denis

Travelled through at Easter and had about 5mm overnightat Mt Finke. Track was fine but the roads got ordinary on the way to Kingoonya.
If you do get through and you are heading through Kingoonya, say hi to John and Julie at the hotel.
Awesome Track.

Leafy

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Follow Up By: yabulu - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:55

Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:55

Thanks Leafy, will do. Good excuse to have a cold one.

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Reply By: Echucan Bob - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:53

Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:53

Last October we went North to South. It was pretty much the end of our trip that started in Alice, looping out into WA via Yuendumu, Nyrripi, Kintore, Sandy Blight Junction Track, Blackstone, Pipalyatjara, Yulara, Alice, Old Andado, Mt Daer, Oodnadatta, Coober Pedy. We left the Stuart and headed for Bulgunnia and Tarcoola. I was a bit cautious about Googs, thinking it was a bit touristy like the CSR or French Line, but we really enjoyed it. I recall passing one vehicle heading the other way. The vegetation is attractive, the terrain interesting, and the track easy. I have no special advice to pass on. There are lots of good camping spots, plenty of firewood, and no traps. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

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Follow Up By: yabulu - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 21:00

Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 21:00

Thanks Bob, This is our first real 4x4 trip in the sand,and really appreciate your description. Sounds great. Denis

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Reply By: Mick O - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 21:41

Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 21:41

Are you towing Denis? Just make sure you have your tyre pressures lowered. There are a few places where the dunes are mighty and soft. In the direction you are heading, the run ups are long and fairly manageable with a steep drop off on the northern side. A great run, enjoy.

Googs from Ceduna

Googs -Track - north from Googs Lake

Cheers Mick

''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

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Follow Up By: yabulu - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 21:48

Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 21:48

Just going solo Mick. Have OME suspension with 2in lift, & all necessary gear so feel very confident.
Cheers Denis

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Follow Up By: Mick O - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 22:01

Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 22:01

You'll be fine then. Enjoy the trip.

''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

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Follow Up By: Priscilla G - Monday, May 20, 2013 at 08:52

Monday, May 20, 2013 at 08:52

If anyone is interested Googs ( he put the track through) wife has just released a book of memories of pushing this track through the bush.Reports are it,s a good read.Not sure where it,s available as it,s only just out.

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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Sunday, Jun 16, 2013 at 06:39

Sunday, Jun 16, 2013 at 06:39

Yabalu or anyone how was your trip?

I am heading North to South towing a TVAN in 3 weeks and have a couple of questions. I have seen Mick O's video which was great.

1)Is the track wide or overgrown in places?
2)I think Ch 18 is the right channel, is this right?

I have done a bit of towing in sand, is it comparable to the Simpson or Vic Big Desert?

I will check with the ranger, but any other advice. I am planning 2 days, 2 nights

Tony

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Follow Up By: yabulu - Sunday, Jun 16, 2013 at 18:02

Sunday, Jun 16, 2013 at 18:02

Hi Bookook, We had a GREAT trip up there in early June. We went North as it is somewhat easier. The dunes seem a lot steeper as you near the top going your way. I think you will need a good hitch that pivots in all directions, can't think of the name. You shouldn't have too much trouble if you keep you momentum up although some may challenge you. The best advise I can give you is to keep up your momentum ,not speed, & keep tyre pressure down to 18-20psi both 4x4 & trailer.
It is up to you but it not recommended that you tow a trailer.
I would watch the weather as there is a wet patch we encountered near the turnoff to Mt Finke.
The track is easier than than the Big Desert as we found the sand to be a lot firmer.
The Track is ample wide enough in most places although I did get a couple of very minor pin-stripes.
Yes channel 18 is the correct frequency. What i did was as I stopped on top of a tall dune, I would say Nissan Navara North bound, any one got a copy. Seemed to work well for me.
Have a nice trip and enjoy & can recommend Googs Lake for a camp.(plenty of firewood there)
Cheers
Denis

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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Monday, Jun 17, 2013 at 06:31

Monday, Jun 17, 2013 at 06:31

That's great feedback Denis.

I have read that S-N is easier but don't have that option.

I am happy to let my tyres down to 14 - 15 psi and find that is a big improvement over 18 - 20 PSI.

Good feedback on Googs Lake. Did you camp anywhere else ( Mt Finke?) and is there firewood pretty much anywhere?

Also did you ( or anyone ) get a chance to go east from the lakes to the Childara waterhole?

Tony

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