Birdsville

Perhaps the most important thing is, how long have you got for the trip? this would have a large bearing on the route. Do you wish to do a round trip or just there and back on the shortest route?

Ando,

While I haven't been from Perth to Birdsville, have been to Birdsville a number of times, except at race time.

What I'd suggest is come across the GCR to the Alice, then along the Plenty to Boulia, and South down to Birdsville. It's 3 years since we were last along the Bedourie/Birdsville road, and there would be little gravel left to negotiate.

After the races, travel down the Birdsville Track(which should be in good condition at that time) to Marree, then toss a coin as to which way you go from there. Would be a difficult choice, because there's a number of attractions, either way you go.

Have a safe trip, and enjoy the races........thousands do! Knew some young blokes who went there for the races, about 20 years ago. Were there for 4 days, and never saw a horse. :-)

Bob

We went this year from Newman. Newman to Laverton, across the GCR to Ayre's Rock, there to the Stuart Hwy, Coober Pedy, Maree, on to Birdsville. Took us 6 days without pushing too hard. Our group split after Bedourie, half going Mt Isa/top end way back, the other going Longreach/Broken Hill/Nullabor way. We averaged 4-500 ks a day, camped along the road each night & felt like it was a fairly easy trip. Birdsville was a mad-house (race week), Bedourie very relaxing.

What sort of van Andoman? It is capable of surviving long corrugated dirt roads?