Kiwirrkurra to Balgo Track

Lake Mackay is a camp spot not to be missed. When we were there the wind changed and the waterline which was over 500 metres away was 300 metres closer within 5 hours.

Another must see is the LB's ration truck at Kiwirrkurra.

Thanks Chris. Yes we are experienced and equipped for such areas but are simply doing research at this stage. Do you happen to have any track plots you can share?

I used a Spot tracker on this trip which can be found at http://www.exploroz.com/EOTrackMe/Default.aspx#tab=1&fid=L0vMc7kczjnRqRKfDb3QRc18Llu8AvVo5H
and
https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=68675184a46329776
you should be able to extract the plots from either of these.
If you have a problem let me know as I also recorded using OziExplorer but that will take a bit of effort on my part to extract.

A couple of photo's click for a description.

Thanks for the advice. Yes we are aware that it is REMOTE and are quite experienced in such areas. We have no definite plans at this stage but are simply doing research. Do you happen to have track plots that you can share.

Again thanks for the prompt responses.

Hi Jim,

I will send you a plot and contact details off-forum.

Further to what Mick says you probably will have to show you have a bona-fide reason for traveling it, especially if you wish to visit some of the places that are away from the track. I would not recommend traveling the track without permission - it may cause future access issues if you are caught, similar to what happened a few years ago on the CSR.



Cheers
Alan

Jim, if you go to my profile page and then to "my map", you'll find the plot there. It's called 10-Jun-09. You should be able to zoom in on it, click on it to highlight and as an EO member, download it. I'm sorry but it also covers the Gary Junction from Papunya, I didn't bother to trim it at the time of loading.

Other than this year, I was on the track in 2009 and have written it up in the blog section on EO.

Link to day one - North to Lake McKay


Cheers Mick

Thanks Mick - you certainly seem to have had an interesting trip. I am still looking for the 10 Jun 09 track but so facr it has eluded me among your many others.

If you look at the photo's the sign is clearly marked Balgo Road. Lake Mackay is just one of the features along this road.

Bob, that straight through section to Mt Webb has suffered a hell of a lot in the time since then. I was on that section in 09 (on the Kempen expedition) and it was in reasonable nick. Since then, the track has suffered from run-off with large sections now being eroded and very difficult to navigate. One side of the laterite range is now a Gully making things somewhat awkward. In other areas, the track is gone or overgrown and you will need to navigate through the bush. At the northern end, the entry has been graded over and it is very easy to miss. You really would need the coordinates to assist in locating the turn off.

The main Balgo Road is in fantastic nick out to Lake McKay having been graded to support the exploration efforts in the area. Past Lake McKay it deteriorates markedly.

Cheers Mick

Mick, it sounds like we will be using the Kiwirrkurra section next time.

Chris, on leaving Balgo a sign proclaiming "Balgo Rd" would be unhelpful. Lake Mackay is the major feature along the road, so whether you start from Balgo, Kiwirrkurra or Mt Webb you know where you are going to end up (with any luck!).

Naming roads after a point at one end can be ambiguous. Eg there are four roads leading to the Sandy Blight Junction but only the road leading South is called the Sandy Blight Junction Road. While not wishing to be critical of LB, what should the road north to Nyrripi be called?

Which is why I call it the Lake Mackay Track (before the miners graded and signposted it)

Bob

Bob, there is nothing wrong with your logic and I understand what you are saying and probably agree with you as would most others who have been there. However I would suggest that the vast majority of the persons who wish to go there and read this forum would be better served by calling it the Balgo road because that is what the sign says and is what the community of Kiwirrakurra call it. Much less confusing to intending visitors for the first time. If Lake Mackay is your destination then there is only one road north and anyone in the community will tell you that it is on the Balgo road which if you have come from the east you will have seen on your way in.

I reckon the sign says Point Moody Balgo Road.
The writing on the tyre is not straight but turned clockwise about 15 degrees and Point Moody and Balgo Road are opposite to one another.

Doesn't matter really I guess we all know what road it is.

Cheers
Alan

Alan is right of course it doesn't really matter, but for those of you who have not been there you had better go there and find out for yourself. You will not be disappointed and probably highly amused.

Thanks Rick - I will track it down.

I have also discovered that there are commercial tours available at: http://www.diamantina-tour.com.au/expeditions/bindabu/bindabu_index.html


Thanks to everyone for your help.