Track from Finke SA to Chambers PillarSa via maryvale station

Not for some years, but I would describe it as a "road", not a "track", except it can be chopped up and corrugated due to traffic and there are sandy bits. Nothing that should give you grief.


Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Presumably talking about the old rail line track as Peter says should not be a problem except for the Queen's Birthday long weekend and a month prior you will be dealing with the think desert race.
There are a few narrow one lane sections through some cuttings from the old train line that will maybe need some caution
Good luck .

Hi Pig,

Whilst it is a few years ago now, we took our 18’6” 2.6 Tonne single axle Off Road van in there. The road from Maryvale Station out to Chambers Pillar was in reasonable condition then. It is a Station Road as well as access to the Pillar. There is one pretty decent jump up to negotiate, make sure the fridge and cupboard doors in your van are securely closed. There is also a sandy section with a few small dunes to negotiate, but it is doable towing a suitable caravan.



Macca.

Not coming in from Finke, butOn my last trip to pillar (2016), I left my caravan at Stuart Wells and did a day trip from there. The roadhouse had great meals, and they gave us a mud map as to how to get there. It was a well formed road all the way. There was a bit of confusion once we crossed the new railway - I guessed correctly and turned left. Otherwise it was a drive on a well formed gravel road.

On my first trip (1996?), we came in from Alice, down the old railway track. The station tracks at Maryvale were sketchy, but this time there were signposts and the track was a well formed road compared to 1996. The gnarly sand dune of 1996 seemed to have disappeared as well. There is even a gate at the National Park entrance. There was a 2WD car in there last time - no way would a 2WD car have gone in in 1996.

The scree slope I had to scramble up to the base of the pillar is now a well formed stairway, and there is a steel walkway around the base of the pillar. I guess this work has been done for conservation measures, but also for general public safety. Getting an ambulance out there would be a long and rough ride back to Alice, but it has taken the spirit of the pioneers away from the area.

Sorry the the delay in responding. I have been away, nothing exotic as Chamber Pillar but Port Macquarie is very nice.

Thank you for the info and it appears the road is ok but just check before proceeding. Not sure I like the railway spikes on the road but they may be already gone. hope so I have a great propensity for flat tyres.

Hope to be there August next year (2024)

Again thank you

Pig