Chambers Pillar

Our trip from Alice on 17/9/14 took 2hr 47 min and was 157 km , we don't travel very fast.

You have to watch out for railway spikes (several thousand).

Road is generally flat dusty and uninteresting - apart from small hill and ridge before Chambers itself.

We've done it twice several years ago. Just set aside the day. Both times the trip was started in daylight hours and completed in daylight hours. Both times were in July.

Di

I did it comfortably in a day in late July '09. Google Maps says 161km and over 8 hours one way - distance is about right, but time is bunkum!

I went via Old South Road to Maryvale, then south west to Chambers Pillar.

Check out the Old Rodinga Siding on the Old Ghan Railway (railway follows the Old South Road) and make sure you stop at Maryvale and ask to use the toilets - you won't lose the keys! Keep an eye out for the old bridge on the railway.

As far as I am aware, you need to go via Maryvale. The road / tracks west from Chambers Pillar to the Stuart Highway were closed when I went. It would pay to check before going.

Worthwhile trip, enjoy.

cheers,
glids

Hi PHIL

The simple answer is yes. Over the years the track has had a real make over, with the dunes now capped and a very easy drive.


Cheers



Stephen

Chambers Pillar colours at sunrise/sunset are part of the mystique and experience..

We were there in 1997 and you could camp in small area nearby. If this is still the case and you can do an overnighter I would lean that way over a day trip.

Just a different perspective.

I did the trip in June 2013 and it was completed easily within daylight hours.

Be aware that they run the Finke Desert race around 6 -8th June. When I last did the trip in 2013, the competitors and support crews were travelling up and down the main road doing the route pre-race checks. For the most part they did not care who was on the road and just flew up and down the road spraying my new vehicle in stones. I have driven many thousands of Km on outback roads and was appalled by the indifference shown to other road users.

So, avoid race time and you should be O.K.

Yes you can do it in a day, but to miss the colours at sunset & sunrise is to miss out

Hi Phil,
I can totally recommend camping there the night. The dusk/ dawn viewing of Chambers Pillar is well worth it. The road in from Maryvale was a slow run( August 2014) but we were in no hurry. The "old" camp area is well set up with fire places, some gas bbqs, tables and loos. Firewood can be collected on the way in before the reserve area starts. Didn't see the newer campground but i think it was set up for vans/ camper trailers.
Either way enjoy,
Ross

Agree with some previous comments - you can certainly do the drive in a day, but if you don't see a sunrise or (preferably and!) sunset you really miss the best reasons for going out there.

Thanks everyone for your feedback, certainly given me a better idea of what is involved and some food for thought. Phil