Article Comment: Birdsville Track

Submitted: Monday, Sep 27, 2021 at 16:56

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Birdsville Track

The Birdsville Track runs south from Birdsville to Maree and passes through the Sturt Stony Desert. It is an extremely remote region but is strikingly beautiful in its harshness.

Birdsville Track

Section: Treks

The Birdsville Track runs south from Birdsville to Maree and passes through the Sturt Stony Desert. It is an extremely remote region but is strikingly beautiful in its harshness.

Val H2

Currently in Cloncurry, planning on heading to Birdsville via Mt Isa/Boulia etc on 1st Oct. I travel in a Fiat Ducato motorhome front wheel drive. I managed the road out to Adels Grove OK last year (& with care) and hoping to do the Birdsville Track with 2 other friends who are in 4wd towing caravans. We're all women, experienced travellers but last time I did the Track was in the '80s with a camper trailer. Appreciate any advice/suggestions etc from anyone who has tackled it recently. Particularly if in a Motorhome.

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Reply By: George_M - Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021 at 18:36

Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021 at 18:36

The items to consider on your planned trip are weight, tyre condition and pressure, and speed.

If you're tyres are in good condition, you
are not loaded to the gunnels, and you manage tyre pressure and speed you'll be fine on the Birdsville Track with your friends, Val.

Happy travels - we Victoria's are still in detention.

George_M

Come any closer and I'll rip your throat out!

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Follow Up By: Val H2 - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2021 at 15:47

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2021 at 15:47

Thanks George. Got the tyres all checked in Mt Isa yesterday, and all good. (Unfortunately though 'ol mate Bridgestone didn't put one of my hubcaps on properly so that went AWOL today between Dajarra and Bedourie, never to be seen again. I've taken the other 3 off! Will drop my tyre pressures and check the recommended PSi once I get to Birdsville from Bedourie (light truck tyres are currently set to 79PSi)

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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Thursday, Sep 30, 2021 at 08:27

Thursday, Sep 30, 2021 at 08:27

Hi Val,

Out of curiosity, what weight is your Ducato? Just ensure you do not drop your tyre pressures too low for the weight you are carrying.

Macca.

Macca.

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Follow Up By: Val H2 - Thursday, Sep 30, 2021 at 15:18

Thursday, Sep 30, 2021 at 15:18

The Tare is 3170, it's GVM is 4400 but though I've not taken it over a weigh bridge recently I think my GVM would be around 4000. Thinking of dropping the tyres down to around 60 PSi

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Follow Up By: Gramps - Thursday, Sep 30, 2021 at 15:58

Thursday, Sep 30, 2021 at 15:58

Val,

Check with your tyre manufacturer or their agent regarding load, speed and recommended tyre pressures for both on and off road travel. They ALL have charts covering these details.

Regards

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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Thursday, Sep 30, 2021 at 17:33

Thursday, Sep 30, 2021 at 17:33

Hi Val,

Go online and “Google” tyre pressure calculators. There a number of them, the G & S Chassis one seems to get good reviews. These will help you determine the correct tyre pressures for your particular tyres.

Macca.

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Reply By: Zippo - Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021 at 19:22

Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021 at 19:22

If you survived either the Gregory exit from (entry to) Adel's (which suffers from the [New] Century Mine traffic ...) or the Riversleigh Road south to the Gregory-Camooweal Road, then you'll be fine on the BV Track unless it is rain-affected. The only rough bit we found when it was freshly re-opened after flooding - and we weren't following a grader - was the Cooper crossing which was rocky.

As always, "drive to the conditions".

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