Track to Big Red

Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 14:07
ThreadID: 106897 Views:1999 Replies:8 FollowUps:8
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Hi all,
There's a music festival on at Big Red in July this year. The organisers say there's camping out near the dune. I've never been to Birdsville so I was wondering about the track out to Big Red? Is it reasonably firm enough to take my van out there?
I've got a 4x4 and a small off-road van. But I'm not interested in dragging it through soft sand. I would love to camp out there if possible.
Regards,
Cheeky1
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Reply By: Wayne NSW - Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 14:15

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 14:15
Cheeky,

The road from Birdsville to Big Red is about 30km of good dirt road.


Wayne
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Follow Up By: Wayne NSW - Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 14:24

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 14:24
Cheeky,
Just another thought.
If your vehicle/van combination can make it to Birdsville it will make it to Big Red.

BTW Correction to distance should be 36km

Wayne
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 16:51

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 16:51
Might have to add Wayne that you mean the east side of Big Red and even then its a sandy track along the base for a couple of km north till you get to the base of Big Red east side.

The Big Red climb itself is driven up the western face and some cars with 4wd cannot cross little Red to get to the western side.
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Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 17:02

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 17:02
If it is very dry the track to the eastern side of Big Red can be very sandy and soft too. Best to ask the question when you are actually in Birdsville.
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Reply By: Cheeky1 - Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 18:12

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 18:12
Ok thanks.
I'm going to assume from what Wayne has said that the road is good enough to pull the van out there. I would imagine that the designated camp site would be situated where it would be reasonably accessible for most with off road gear?? Driving the prado on boggy sand to get to Big Red is no biggie. Just didn't want to be towing the van through boggy stuff or over sand dunes. As I say, I haven't been there so don't know what to expect...
Thanks again.
Cheeky1
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Reply By: mikehzz - Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 19:19

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 19:19
Is the lake still in front of Little Red with the detour or can you drive straight along the road?
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Follow Up By: rumpig - Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 21:41

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 21:41
Think it was about September when we were there last year, you could drive straight along the road and straight over Little Red back then
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 21:14

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 at 21:14
I reckon you will be OK with the van if you keep your pressures down.
This was October '12.







Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome
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Follow Up By: Cheeky1 - Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 14:53

Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 14:53
Great photos!!!
I wonder if we'll ever see water out there again - at least in my lifetime, anyway???
You are very lucky...
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 16:29

Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 16:29
Hi Peter and Margaret, I love that photo with the lake behind red dune. Would you let us have a hi-res version of that photo please?
Michelle Martin
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Reply By: Member - Howard (ACT) - Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 10:03

Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 10:03
for the event last year they graded the track along the east side to the campground.
could have towed the van in with a car.
cannot guarantee thay will do same this year
cheers
Howard
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Follow Up By: Cheeky1 - Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 14:55

Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 14:55
Great thanks Howard.
I reckon they will...
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Reply By: AHA Traveller - Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 13:10

Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 13:10
Hi guys, we were at the John Williamson concert on top of Big Red last July which was part of the desert run and fund raiser for diabetes.
Camping was also organized for that event. The camp area was on the eastern side of big red next to where the lake was. ( I believe it has now dried up) From there it's a short walk to the top of the dune for the concert. Portable toilets were provided and a fundraiser sausage sizzle were at the bottom of the dune near the camp ground. You will have no problems getting a van in there.
It was great last year, should be again this year. Have fun.
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Reply By: Cheeky1 - Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 14:51

Wednesday, Mar 26, 2014 at 14:51
This is all great info, thanks.
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Reply By: Wayne NSW - Friday, Mar 28, 2014 at 15:09

Friday, Mar 28, 2014 at 15:09
Cheeky,

Found a link to the Big red concert

Big Red Bash


Wayne
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Follow Up By: Cheeky1 - Friday, Mar 28, 2014 at 16:26

Friday, Mar 28, 2014 at 16:26
Cheers Wayne
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