Travel the Oodnadatta Track with Caravan

G'day Wizard,

Met with some friends and members from here that are up your way now with vans on the Oodnadatta Track just a couple of weeks ago. There are always going to be minor things that can go wrong. Not that I know the Jayco you mention there, there was a reminder for Jayco owners with one beside the road half on it's side opposite the Pink Roadhouse.

The thing is take it easy and unless you miss too many fuel stops you should not need to carry too many jerry cans.

The friends were doing 200 kms a day with kids so it depends how much boredom they will accept as it can be boring to them.

A lot of the road is recently graded. Just take it easy on spots where there are corriegations. Take spares like wire and things that can go wrong, fuses too. Saw a Jack without lights because of blowing fuses and warning lights on transmission. Disn't regard that as an Oodnadatta Track problem myself. Make sure of really good tread on tyres to keep potentially penetrative stones at bay.

It is a nice run actually.

Hi Wizard,

Go for it - it is a great trip & lots to see. We travelled it a couple of years ago with a Commodore & 17ft standard pop top. Obviously the condition can vary but generally it is a good standard road & fuel will not be a problem as it is available in Oodnadatta & William Creek.

I talked to the Pink Roadhouse people & they had no problem with taking the rig we had provided we had plenty of water & food in case of rain (as the road would be closed in that event) & had additional spare wheel & UHF radio (there are repeaters right through the track).

Enjoy the trip - it is relatively easy going.

Willy

Phone the Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta just prior to check on the road conditions in that region. Usually, the road is in "good" nick (good for outback that is) but there has been rain recently and it all depends if it was cut up (and on grading etc). There are some very stony sections (that never improve) - tyres will be the issue IMO - you need stout tyres, lowered pressures and moderate speeds (then weave you way through the bigger stones) - that is all you can do (an extra spare for the car and the van is a great idea too....or at least, a case for each, for a service shop to fit)...if you show the tyre failure gods that you are serious, they usually leave you alone and prey on the un-prepared !

Wizard, Fuel shouldnt be a problem, Marla, Oodndatta, William Creek, Marree, Lyndhurst. The only problem you might encounter is if it rains, so carry extra food and water in case you have to sit it out for a few days. Let some air out of your tyres as to reduce the risk of possible fractures, and I assume you have extra spares. Call on Member Jiarna at Oodndatta and take it easy and have a good trip.

gooddday wizard
we did the trip last year enjoyed it very much (on the way home from darwin up there again in 7 weeks ) with a jayco offroad freedom took it easy broke a shocker bracket on van looked like a bit of thin angle iron bloke atbwilliam ck caravan park welded it back and it lasted till we got home .but it wasnt to bad atrip with plenty to see we stayed at will ck o/n but should have spent 2 nights along the track

steve

Wizard, forget the fuel for that section of your trip. You would have a comfortable range of nearly 1,000km with your combination if it's the current Prado with 180l tanks and a bit less if it's the old model but considering you won't travel more than 213km between fuel it won't be a problem. In case you don't know, you can get fuel at Marla, 213k on to Oodnadatta, 206k to William Creek and then 210k to Maree. Then it's 80k to Lyndhurst and just 38k on to Leigh Creek. Also, I'd recommend Coward Springs for a camping spot between William Creek and Maree - an oasis on the track with warm springs too. Also check out the mound springs and Lake Eyre as you go. Last time I was on the track I saw a Commodore towing a pop top van so you will have no trouble (unless it rains then everybody has trouble) .... but you'll have more trouble than vehicles withour trailers!
Good luck and enjoy the trip ...

Been browsing the posts. Isn't this a nice post - plenty of helpful info from people with a shared interest in enjoying life. Bit of a contrast with some of the others really. Well done tout le monde.

Bob

Wizzo, The rougher the track, the slower you go and you should be OK. I'd fit a stone deflector/guard if I were you before you leave.

Briefly, re stones, I think there is merit in letting the airborne stones out from under the car, but deflect them down and out sideways with guards/protectors/defectors etc. mounted on the front of the trailer....IOW...give them somewhere to go ! Most serious trailer makers seem to go that way, from what I've seen.

Hi Wizard,

We came through that way a few weeks ago. We got stranded at Coward Springs because of rain, and it is definitely a lovely place to stay. We saw plenty of people with caravans who made it through in very trying conditions after the wet. However make sure that the road at Margaret Creek has been repaired, as it had been completely washed away, and you would have great difficulty getting past it.

Have a fantastic trip. Also we used the Lonely Planet guide to the Outback, and it has really interesting information about what to see in that part of the world.

Cheers
Anne

We've just done it Wizard and rest assured fuel is not a problem - plenty available en route. Two pieces of advice; make sure the van is as dust proof as possible (Mrs Al is still discovering dust piles), and try not to hit Oodnadatta on pension day as the local lads tend to let off a little bit of steam.

The Oodnadatta Track is a track in name only. In the dry a Falcon wouldn't be challenged. Even in the wet I doubt you'll have trouble, except for the damage you do to the road surface. Similar for the Birdsville - we drove it in less than a day with lots of stops. No experience with Jayco though..... Have a good trip.