Broken Hill to Boulia

Submitted: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 09:21

ThreadID: 107854 Views:1802 Replies:3 FollowUps:2

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Member - fawkesp

During July, we will be travelling from Broken Hill to Boulia. There appears to be three ways I can do this - via the Birdsville Track (unsealed), via the Cooper/Diamantina Development Roads (unsealed) or via the Mitchell Highway (sealed).

Does anyone have any current info on the road conditions of either of the unsealed roads?

It is our intention to pull a small caravan but the possibility of rough dirt roads is a cause for concern due to the build of the van.

Thanks,

Peter.

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Reply By: Member - Peter H1 (NSW) - Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 10:23

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 10:23

If you already have doubts re the caravan, I suggest you stick to the black top.
The gravel can be unforgiving to weak vans.

PeterH

AnswerID: 532805

Follow Up By: Member - fawkesp - Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 18:47

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 18:47

Thanks Peter, the van handles short stretches of dirt, I'm just not sure about hours of dirt travel.

Peter.

FollowupID: 816132

Reply By: murranji - Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 18:42

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 18:42

I would say Warri gate,Noccundra,Earldunda?,Windorah,Boulia.
Fair bit of sealed road and a lot of crushed rock.Beware tyre damage,cost me a number of Coopers.Rocks smashing thru tread.Dont believe all you read in advertising.Good Luck

AnswerID: 532832

Follow Up By: Member - fawkesp - Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 18:49

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 18:49

Thanks murranji.

While the van tyres are of light truck construction, your comment on tread damage leads me to think that we have to think about some other options.

Peter.

FollowupID: 816133

Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 20:34

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 20:34

Peter,

A long way around the bitumen from BH to Boulia.

The Diamantina Dev Road has about 240 kms of gravel, between Bedourie and Windorah. I haven't been on all of this section, and it's a few years since I was down that way.

At a steady rate, you could travel across there, and still preserve your van. The road is quiet enough that can travel where you like, even in the table drain:-)

Bedourie-Boulia should be all bitumen now,

Bob.