Border Track at Xmas

I've only ever done section of the Border Track, usually travelling alone. Theree are usually plenty of other vehicles on the track, at Xmas it will be busy so you'll be OK from that point of view. There are a few big BIG bogholes, most if not all of thses are fenced off now with side tracks around them. They will be dry at Xmas but need to be treated with respect. Tyre pressure around 18psi work for me and Red Bluff campground is highly recommended. Enjoy.

Not a problem Gazza. There's a couple of tough dunes to get over and a few ruts further south but no problem for the Prado and an inexperienced driver. Take it easy and deflate the tyres and yes it will probably be anything from warm to bloodly hot. You will find that 99.9999% is very easy

Gazza, the Border Track is a great drive, though as you say, it could be very hot at that time of the year. If you check out the maps for the area, you will see that it is one way from North to South in one section. It can safely be driven by your self, in a well prepared vehicle. You don't need suspension mods, or a driving course, just sensible driving. Most dunes have a "chicken" track around them if needed. The sand on the dunes is very fine, so let the tyers down a lot, maybe try 18psi first, then maybe a bit lower if needed. I also believe that parts of the track have been upgraded/expanded, which may detract from the experience? Both times I have been down the track, I have camped at the Soutern end. Hope you enjoy it.

Check with National Parks prior good chance it will be closed due to fire bans

Border Track is pretty easy, even for the inexperienced provided you are doing the section that falls within the conservation park Pinaroo side (and let tyres down for the sand dunes) The 30-40 kms South of Bordertown which is out of the park is a challenge, believe me, I did my clutch and alternator in, not that there will necessarily be much water in the bog holes (which that side have not been touched and are all accessable) You will need to use common sense and be discerning about what ruts you go into, as I have seen a lifted hilux and standard 80 series (no spare) stuck with 2 wheels spinning in the air. You should take a winch if going alone, or take someone else (with a snatch strap), or give anything hinting of getting stuck/bogged/bottomed out/rolling over a definite miss. I personally don't think the border track would be much fun, especialy if the temperatures reach 40 degrees plus, but maybe I'm just soft.

Just come back from there last weekend and a Hilux in our group had trouble with it's Auto Disengaging Diff so did the whole trip in two wheel drive with 18psi all round. Only got snatched twice.

Granted it was driven like it was stolen a couple of times and there was a bit of moisture in the sand, dry would have been more of a challenge, but it made it and proved a point.

Enjoy the trip. Look out for the hive of bees in the wall of the Red Bluff loo. Three in our group got stung.

I've gotta ask, why the hell do you ply line a corugated iron dunny if not to give the bees and wasps a 5 star home?

Pack the adrenaline...

Dave

l think you will find that the track is fairly easy these days as all the hard dunes and pot holes that used to swallow cars up have been bypassed.But still not a bad drive l believe.

I did a section of the Border Track 3 or 4 years ago in August (I think). Nice weather for it at that time of year - bloody hot in Dec/Jan I imagine - it's not too difficult, I did most of it on road tyre pressures in 4WD.

If you decide not to do it consider the Murrayville Track (runs to Nhill) it's an easy drive and (providing it's not wet) could be done in a 2WD and it does have a few water points along it and a few pleasant camp spots (I might just be persuaded to give you the GPS co-ordinates of one - maybe :). There are a couple of tracks off the Murrayville which are rather more challenging. But don't underestimate that country - in hot weather you could die out there without the right precautions - and I'm guessing you have children? so exercise caution at that time of year.

Mike Harding