Windorah-Cooper creek

Michael,

It is close to 1700km from Sydney to Windorah via sealed roads.

Fishing is dependent on the amount of water in the Cooper Creek, most months that contain an "R" are good times to get yabbies' as well.

Cheers Kev

Hi Michael,
You could do it in 2 long days driving but 3 day makes it easy.Bourke the first day then an easy drive to Charleville then Windorah.
Cheers Andy

There should be plenty of camping spots for you out there. It's too hot for most of us in January Wikndorah Climate

It would be two long days but better if you could spread it over three or at least another 1/2 day. You could even go beyond (turn west at) Charleville and can pull up almost anywhere off the road on that road, either side of Quilpie when you need to. Then there's a free riverside camp just before you come into Windorah and if you go over the bridge, you'll see it and I think you can camp either side of the river, from memory. About 10 ks before Windorah.

I don't know if you have gps but they (and the online trip calculator thingies) haven't picked up the Hunter Expressway yet and that saves you half an hour because you go past the Cessnock turning and a good way on, before taking the turn onto the Expressway - probably posted Branxton, Musswellbrook. Otherwise it's a bit of a drag through Cessnock.

A bit warm in January though.

Is the fishing good during January? What sort of fish will be caught?

Michael,

Saying Windorah and January together is like saying ammonium nitrate and diesel, or matches and petrol.........all pretty volatile. :-)

As others have said, take up to 3 days, and smell a few roses on the way. Make sure you have good tyres, and make sure cooling system and aircon are all good. Probably wouldn't hurt to take, say 10L of petrol, and at least same amount, or more of water.

Days and nights will be hot!!! Here are phone numbers of 2 places in Windorah where you can get an air conditioned room if it gets too hot.

Cooper Cabins: 07 46563101

Western Star Hotel/Motel: 07 46563166. You should be able to get a feed at the pub too.

This is where you'll be fishing and camping........Plenty of spots to camp around the bridge. Just take care where there's any loose sand, you don't want to spend good fishing time digging out your car.



Don't know what the fishing will be like. Meet some friends last week that had been fishing at Diamantna Lakes and didn't catch much. The ranger suggested that because oxygen levels are down, the fish tend to hang on the bottom of the holes, and don't take the baits.

As far as roads go, it is all bitumen right to Windorah, as long as you go through Charleville. As Steve said the "highway" from Charleville to Windorah is single lane most of the way, so it pays to pull right off the bitumen well before you are about to pass a road train.Quilpie is a good spot to overnight, if you need too.

No mobile phone coverage at Windorah or Quilpie either.

Bob

You will need to keep an eye on the weather. If the rains come i North Qld then you could be isolated in one of these towns as the flood waters come down and spread out. Google Windorah floods or Charleville floods

Safe Travels

Greg