Alice Springs To Dal Housie, what is the best route.

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 10:25
ThreadID: 130036 Views:2007 Replies:4 FollowUps:8
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Hi guys, just planning next years trip and wondering which is the most interesting track between Alice Springs and Dal Housie.
The two tracks I am considering are
1) Alice, to Finke along the Old Ghan Railway and then onto New Crown, Mt Dare and Dal Housie or

2) from Alice along the Old Andado Track via Santa Teresa to Old Andado and then thru Mt Dare to Dal Housie.

I will be in a Landcruiser 200 series towing a Kimberley Kamper and doing the trip in late June early July.

Any comments welcome
Regards Craig

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Reply By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 11:13

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 11:13
I done both in last 2 years and both ok for towing , Finke way is easier but you have to watch out for old railway spikes on track , we came across approx 10,000 and stole one so you only have to contend with 9999.



Robin Miller

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Reply By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 13:37

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 13:37
We travelled the Finke route a couple of months back and south of Maryvale it was the worst road I've ever followed. Soft sand with corro at the bottom of the ruts. That's courtesy of the Finke race. So I guess that qualifies as 'interesting'.
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 13:38

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 13:38
PS, it's Dalhousie.
After an earl or marquis or somesuch.
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Follow Up By: Member - shane r1 - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 13:53

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 13:53
Pretty sure the road had been hammered by some army activity in the area as well as the race. Spoke to a guy who grew up there he said it's the worst he had ever seen it to. Bloody lot of traffic during the race week I heard they expected about 12,000 camping along the track.
Cheers
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Reply By: cookie1 - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 13:49

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 13:49
Personally, if you have time, I'd go Finke and call into Chambers Pillar (4WD) and maybe Lamberts Centre on the way through

I've been lucky and not had any issues with old railway spikes

enjoy

cheers
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 13:58

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 13:58
At a guess the less tread on the tyre the greater the puncture risk.

+1 to Chambers Pillar.Well worth an overnight stay.
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 14:49

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 14:49
You could also drop in to the Lambert Centre if you take the old Ghan track. We stayed a night at each place. Last I heard was that the shopping trolley was removed from the Lambert Centre. I tried but I couldn't climb up far enough. The limbs isn't as flexible these days.

Phil

Chambers Pillar


Lambert Centre


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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 15:03

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 15:03
Both ways you must stop at Old Andado and check out Molly's place. If the managers are there you can get a great cuppa for a gold coin. They also throw in a good account of the place and if you are lucke you may even get scones and jam. We recently dropped in and spen a couple of hours there listening to the place's history and wandering around checking it out.

Phil

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Follow Up By: Member - Robert1660 - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 18:13

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 18:13
I agree Old Andado is an absolute must. There is a basic camping area next to the homestead. A small fee is payable. To see this house as it was when Molly lived in it is quite sobering. Living so far from civilisation must have been incredibly demanding. There is a wonderful statement on one of the rooms in the house, it states, "God can't always be everywhere and so, invented Mothers".
A short walk from the house you are able to visit Molly's grave and a little further on there is a sand dune from which you are able to view the entire property.
Robert
Robert
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Follow Up By: Mtb rule- Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 20:59

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 20:59
Craig, plus 1 for old Ghan track, visiting chambers pillar and Lamberts centre. We went from Finke to Alice 1 week after the race, very sandy and rough this year but the sand dunes and scenery were worth it.

We were towing a camper trailer.

Mtb
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Follow Up By: Member - KeithB - Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 21:11

Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 at 21:11
Second vote for Chambers Pillar and Finke. We came though in April with a 200 Series and camper trailer and it was slow but okay. Also make sure you avoid the coffee at Maryvale at all costs.
Make sure you say hi to the new owners at Mt Dare.
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Reply By: Australian Landscape Jewellery - Thursday, Aug 20, 2015 at 08:21

Thursday, Aug 20, 2015 at 08:21
Another vote for Old Andado. If you are going that way, check the Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame in Alice Springs for more on Molly Clark. Utterly extraordinary.
Be prepared for mozzies, some of the worst I have encountered were at Old Andado at dusk.
Mike
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