Finke south down the Old Ghan line, advice please?

Hi When we come home from Finke, we go to New Crown, Charlotte Bore, Abminga, Eringa Water Hole ( great camping), Hamilton, Oodnadatta. about 285Ks
Great drive usually nothing to hard.
Cheers DEs.

We went south to north. Very remote but a nice drive but the track is pretty rough

Bad road? Depends on the personal view.
This is what we saw in October 2016. It was never much worse than this.



Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Thanks to all for the info,
What do you think is an average speed on those tracks in that area ?
I realise road conditions can change each season/year, but just looking at the distances and realistic travel time so we can roughly plan some camps and average klms per day etc.
We usually take it fairly steady, no rush.
Also thinking of a possible detour across to Dalhousie for a night. The track back from Dalhousie>Pedirka>Hamilton Stn is marked as very rough on my map, anyone been across that way recently?

Last traversed this country in May 2017 and found the Alice to Finke leg the most challenging, deep sand with corrigations along the original Ghan. The tracks from ooodnadatta through Euringa (Kidmans favourite camp spot) to Delhousie were good in comparison. Enjoy

G'day , in regards to your question ....
Is there an accessible track that continues to follow the old rail line directly south of Finke past ....

I sure thats the track we took last year when heading to finke desert race held on Queens birthday long week end ~ not the best time for traveling the alice finke section
after leaving finke heading south`ish side track that takes you through the station country to eringa , slow going in most places wash out etc , but a really nice drive .
great camp spot at eringa water hole . after that its well made road to Oodnadatta
The section north of Finke you are driving on the actual old rail track and a certain amount of caution my be needed ,sandy , high drop off's .in places the track cuts through hills & is one car wide & no where to get off if u have oncoming cars . this track is used by people going to Finke ..... aswel the track has the old railway nails scatted on the track .

Haven't been up to Finke yet, though been to Mt Dare a number of times. The Oodnadatta-Marree section is a great drive, as far as investigating all the old sidings and Algebuckna Bridge.

Camped at Beresford in Nov, 2015, away from the Siding, but it would be a top spot if caught there in cold, wet conditions, with a number of open fireplaces. From what I saw there appears to be families of birds resident in the old buildings, and have been for generations, judging by their droppings.

The ruins at Bloods Ck are worth a look too.

Bob

Hi Tracka, Check Hema maps, as there is a road that runs south to Oodnadatta but it does not follow the Old Ghan line directly. There are a few turns you need to make, but it is sign posted.

From Finke, you head for New Crown, then turn right to Charlotte Waters. From Charlotte Waters, there are two ways you can go, one to Mt. Dare, and the other to Abminga Ruins. Abminga Ruins is more direct, but you will miss Mt. Dare.

From Abminga Ruins, the track is less well defined, but if you have a Hema Navigator (an accessory I highly recommend), you can bring the scale right down to ensure that you stay on the track. This section can also be quite rough, and stoney/rocky. This will take you to Hamilton Station.

If you decide to go to Mt. Dare, after leaving Mt. Dare, you head for Bloods Creek, then turn right and you will eventually join the Abminga/Hamilton Station road approx. 20 kms south of Abminga ruins.

From Hamilton Station, the road is good gravel in most places, and will take you to the Oodnadatta Track. When you reach the Oodnadatta Track, turn left and Oodnadatta is about 17 kms away.

I have travelled this road twice, the first time in 2004, and the second in 2016 towing an 18' Off Road Caravan.

Macca.

Thankyou to all for the info and pics.
We have narrowed an itinerary down and based on only having to do approx. 200 - 270 klms per day between camps through these tracks.
Taking our time, look around and enjoy it.