After track condition info Across the Top

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 14:11
ThreadID: 131848 Views:2151 Replies:4 FollowUps:8
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G'day All,
We've got a 2015 Swan OB with standard (ball) coupling and plan to do a run across the top this dry season.
The itinerary is pretty much planned (but as always subject to change when we are on the road).

I'd just wondering what the conditions of the roads / tracks into some places are like:

into Elim beach,
from Musgrave to Karumba (particullarly the track from Artemis to Dunbar)
into Purnululu NP (to camping areas of the Bungle Bungle)
into King Edward River Camp Ground from the Kulumbaru Road (and Kulumbaru Rd).
into camping areas at Ningaloo

Cheers
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Reply By: Member Andys Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 14:23

Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 14:23
It will depend on the time of year your going..... Early after the Wet most roads will get a grade before the end of May....After that it's starts to fall apart with traffic......

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Follow Up By: Stephen F2 - Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 22:43

Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 22:43
Hi AA is April to early for Mitchell Falls I only have Hilux .Been up there. in 1997 but can not remember what month I heard a lot changed on Gibb River road ..I like to go up when not too many people...
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Follow Up By: Member Andys Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 23:25

Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 23:25
Hi Stephen,



I have a mate on the Gibb River Rd now and the road looks good..... He has just gone past Home Valley, crossing the Pentecost river was at 700mm deep If no rain I will be fine .....But you should ring Drysdale Station for road reports up that way.....As the road could still be closed....


Cheers Andy

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Follow Up By: Stephen F2 - Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 23:43

Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 23:43
Thanks wondering still possible to camp where you like I remember camping next to Pentacost and taking in Sunset its spectacular...
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Follow Up By: Member Andys Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 23:57

Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 23:57
Home Valley bush camp is a cheap and clean showers (hot water) camp on the river..... Great for photos at sunset looking at the range.... Don't think you will get many free camp sites on the Gibb these days.....

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Reply By: Palmer - Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 14:29

Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 14:29
Thanks for that Andy, should have put that we will be going to be looking at Elim early July,
Musgrave to Karumba (particullarly the track from Artemis to Dunbar) late July
into Purnululu NP (to camping areas of the Bungle Bungle) Mid August
into King Edward River Camp Ground from the Kulumbaru Road (and Kulumbaru Rd). Late Aug / early Sept
into camping areas at Ningaloo Late Sept.

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Follow Up By: Grizzle - Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 16:19

Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 16:19
The road from Mitchell Falls to Kalumburu is pretty rugged. I did it in August last year without towing. I used to have a Jayco Swan Outback which I loved but would think twice about taking it up there.

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Follow Up By: Member Andys Adventures - Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 23:32

Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016 at 23:32
Agree with Grizzle, At that time of year it will be rugged......You will know more once at Drysdale Station as to if you should unhitch or not.......

Cheers Andy ...

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Reply By: Member - Michael John T (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 17, 2016 at 18:57

Thursday, Mar 17, 2016 at 18:57
Hi Palmer,
Re the King Edward River Camp

Great camp if you are able to get there depending on road condition which you can find out from Dryesdale Station . So your options will be stay at Dryesdale with camper and travel separately to Mitchell Falls ( a very long day indeed) or push on and camp at King Edward River and commute for the day to the Falls (quite doable). Enjoy.

Regards,
Mike.
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Follow Up By: Palmer - Friday, Mar 18, 2016 at 08:57

Friday, Mar 18, 2016 at 08:57
Thanks Mike.
As you suggested, we are hoping to be able to stay at King Edward River, as don't fancy trying to drag the swan all the way into the Falls.
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Reply By: Member - Cuppa - Friday, Mar 18, 2016 at 16:18

Friday, Mar 18, 2016 at 16:18
Depends what you are towing with.

The last sandy section down to Elim Beach can be soft but should be manageable with an appropriate 4wd.

No problem at all in the Cape Range NP campgrounds

It's a few years since we went into the Bungles (on off road motorcycles) but I recall sitting & watching cars cross a creek. There was a hole in the middle of the crossing & the look of horror on the faces of some 4wd drivers as water momentarily came up across the bonnet was quite entertaining. (It was possible to avoid the hole on bikes). If it's still like that I'd wonder if the Jayco's overhang behind the axle might be an issue?

Don't know about up around Kalumbaru way.


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Follow Up By: Palmer - Monday, Mar 21, 2016 at 08:03

Monday, Mar 21, 2016 at 08:03
Thanks Cuppa.
We've got a reasonably set-up Prado, so I expect (hope) it will be able to get through the sand at Elim.
We will have a tent for when we want to visit more 4WD type places, so might look at using this for the trip into the Bungles - don't want to push the Jayco too hard when I've got an option.
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