Finke to Chambers Pillar

We did it Easter 2001.
2 families, 2 Patrols without trailers.
Just a basic outback track. Corrugated dirt and sandy sections.
Fuel is very expensive at MtDare but I always top up. Better than running short out there.
Ghan line can be rough and has lots of old rail spiikes on it but the track next to it (used for the Desert Race) is undulating and often rougher.
Carrying alcohol through the town of Finke is illegal and there are heavy penalties but there isn't a road a road around it. Your decision to make.

Chambers Pillar campground was full of small prickles/burrs and annoying. The road in is pretty ordinary but worth a visit.

Check road conditions before going. Tracks can be closed even after minor rain.

Enjoy!

Visited Chambers Pillar overnight from Alice Springs about the time of the 2000 Olympics. Yeah... Cathy won the night before we left... Anyway.... Chambers Pillar is fascinating. Heaps of explorers and other graffit artists from the early days have left their mark. There are signs all over the place asking you not to add to the artwork..... hmmmm You wonder if you DID scratch your name and date whether in 200 years the signs would be protecting your initials. This also leads to the question of whether indigenous graffiti done today would have the same protection as the old stuff....... hmmm

Travelled along this route in July 2002 just after the desert races. Track was very corrugated with sand. We did not have a trailer and I am glad we didn't as the going can be slow going and rough. Corrugations were so bad in some places it was like being on a roller coaster -it was easier to travel along the old railway track running alongside the road. You could possibly do it with a trailer as you are travelling with 3 vehicles thus will have help if you get stuck. Loved Chambers Pillar.

If you are happy to travel at 30kmh then it should not be too rough. Re: the comment about alcohol. Yes you cannot take alcohol into Finke Township but the road through is a public road. So unless you are sitting outside the Finke Police Station with a stubby in your hand.................The Finke crossing just outside the township can be treacherous depending on when last the river flooded. So take care and enjoy. This part of Central Australia is the western edge of the Simspon Desert and quite beautiful. Cheers, W

You hit the nail on the head. We went through last July, and the only place I can think of that you may get stuck is the Finke River, on the other side to the township. There was a great big bulldust pit when we went through, though we drove around it and had no problems. You shouldn't get into trouble towing the trailers, and we sat on about 70km/h due to the corrugations, they are the worst I have ever driven on! The only real concern I would have, is if your trailers will handle the corrugations as it is very hard on the vehicles suspension.

By the way, I only travelled the section of the old ghan railway from Finke to Chambers Pillar, and not from Maree or wherever it starts.

Regards
Slunnie

Cameron. Did the trip Alice/Finke/Mt are/Dalhousie/Oodnadatta/Coober Pedy etc last July. Three 80 series (no trailers).
No problems. Adjusted our speed to suit the conditions. Chambers Pillar is a must. Track along side the railway formation was smoother but very windy and many small hills to go up and down.
Finke river crossing was no problem. Almost like a formed road accross, but this could change according to weather conditions when you go.
All in all a great trip.

cameron
we did chambers pillar aug 2002 overnight 4x4 road in but worth evry bumpy k re dry areas dont pull off on the side of the road before these areas as we did to take photos going out to Hermannsberg .we found 1 of many empty stubbies cost 1 puncture as the local residents like to finish their drinks and are not to fussy about the empties or where they end up but apart from that i believe you can drive thru as i had a full fridge for personal use the whole time we were travelling good luck and safe travelling steve

Cameron
We camped at Chambers Pillar and then at one of the railway sidings ruins before Finke. Next night at Dalhouisie.
The road from Finke to Dalhousie and on to Oodnadatta is very stony. We ran the tyres at 32psi. All 275/70 of varying brands. No problems.
Ring Mout Dare to check on fuel supplies. They had none when we went through and were waiting for the tanker to come and fill them up again.
From memory not much camping betwen Dalhousie and Finke. Lots of open country.
Check at Pink Roadhouse Oodnadatta regarding tyre pressure. Lots of local information available there.