Balgo track and surroundings

Jo, G'day, don't think that there is any track direct from Kiwikurra to Balgo, always ready to be stood corrected though, you would have to either continue on to the CSR and head North or East back to Papunya and then North on the Tanami. Starting to get hot and possibly very wet in some of those areas at that time of the year. Good luck.

There is a track there all right but it is very remote. How many vehicles in your convoy?

you couldn,t pick a hotter time to travel in that part of the world
cheers mechpete

Hi Joanne b4
Yes, there is a track from Kiwirrkurra, around Lake McKay, through the old Yagga Yagge community, then into Balgo. In normal times, the Pintupi mob do that trip in less than a day, but that is not touring, just getting from Kiwirrkurra to Balgo.
There has been quite a bit of rain in recent times, so I will wait and find out how the track is. The office phone number for Kiwirrkurra is (08) 89568612, or alternatively the shop is (08) 89568615.
I live in the area and have a little knowledge of it.
Marc

G'day all, nice to find out about non existent tracks. Will file the info away for future reference.

That will be an exceptional trip, Jo, in October, and put you in the league of Willem Kempen and Mick Olsen, unless you are cooked by the sun, and then you'll be in the league of James Annetts and Simon Amos, who died near there in 1986.

If you can get an elder from Kiwirrkurra, who needs a lift to Balgo, and who didn't disrupt your schedule, then perhaps you could get through that part without a permit as you'd be a guest of a traditional owner. This could be a bit tricky, but often it's the unpredictable aspects of a journey that in time prove to be the most rewarding. But be careful of picking up a big mob.

The locals are extremely pragmatic so if you are of use to them they will be of use to you, and will remember this. But be careful of picking up a big mob.

And don't forget to post photographs and medical reports on the forum. Good luck.

Hi Joanne b4

The Balgo is remote indeed but is travelled by the the locals once in a while. We have driven this track three times during the last 6 years in a HILUX (no van) solo without any difficulties. It is a very nice trip but the northern section is corrugated, sometimes scratchy with many detours which might be difficult to navigate with a van. Nature and landscapes are beautiful. When we travelled this track last year the locals at Balgo adviced us not to tow a van.

We obtained a permit through the www.daa.wa.gov.au site without problems. Send me your email address if you need more detailed information.

Andy

Joanne,

do a Google search for Lake Mackay Track.

We traversed N to S in 2008. Rather than drive in to Kiwirrkurra we emerged onto the Desert Rd at Mt Webb. I've been told this option has since been closed off.

Its an easy drive - it was dry when we did it. But extremely remote. For that reason alone I'd be reluctant to do it unaccompanied.

Bob