Quickest Way: Melbourne to Birdsville with 4WD

We do this a bit

That question always brings up some different view points though.

The quickest way though is straight through Adelaide (suburbs), its not the shortest though.

Its approx 1920km this way.

It can be done in under 25 hrs legally and gives you the best mix of good roads.

It helps to plan your time though , leaving melbourne at 4am puts you thru Adelaide around lunch time and thru turn off just before Pt Aug at around 4pm.

The other advantage of this way is that fuel is cheapset.

You need some range though as fuel out of hours is harder beyond PT-Aug.

We usually have a big stop at PT-Aug and this is the only fuel stop we need.

Hi JFRCN
Your second option is better, Melb, Mildura, Renmark, Burra, Hawker etc. Going to Adelaide is far to long, and out of your way. Straight up. Yes free camping is available on the out skirts of town, between the race track and the town. Make sure you have your own fire wood, some toilets are available, but no showers, unless you drive into town to the caravan park. If you get there early, you might be able to get into the caravan park, never had a problem getting in without a booking. Free camping is great, but is out of town and away from the action in town, try to camp close so you can walk into town, first in best dressed. Might see you there.
Cheers
Outbackjack1

I'd skip Mildura by turning off at Wycheproof, Patchewollock, Pinnaroo, Loxton, Waikerie, Morgan, Burra etc

Its 1886 (Google Maps) that way and you avoid Mildura Renmark etc

The roads are excellent, and I've found you can ease along at comfortable cruising speeds with impunity.

Bob

Wherever you camp just make sure you do not drink & drive or, no offence, if you are that way do not take any drugs, they will test you several times and they will come down hard on you - they flew a judge in from Mt Isa last time I was there - no I wasn't a defendant.

cheers & enjoy

Go via the Simpson desert if you have time ? Love it !!

Gday
We have just returned from Birdsville & went both of the ways you have listed.
Getting there the fastest would be via Renmark, Peterborough etc primarily because this way there is far more blacktop.
You could do it easily and be in Birdsville on day 3 .
On our trip we did melb to Morgan day 1, Morgan to Clayton day 2 & rolled into BVille after lunch day 3
Hope this helps
Cheers
DB