Finke to Chambers Pillar
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 22:13
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Cameron
We, (3 families all with trailers) are going to
Chambers Pillar in June July. Has anybody recently travelled the Original Ghan Railway route, is it passable with three trailers (all are proper off road trailers, two are pretty heavy pushing 1100kg's), interested in any comments.Thanks
Reply By: Member - Andrew - Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 22:28
Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 22:28
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!
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Follow Up By: Cameron - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 21:19
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 21:19
Thanks for the response. What fuel is available at Finke, we are all on ULP. Also, what do you consider expensive ? We paid 1.55 at Rabit Flat July 2002, but if you need it it is a long way to push !!! I figure if we can afford the time & dollars to get their we can affiord to support the local economy.
Ta
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Follow Up By: Cameron - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 21:20
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 21:20
ps could I add what fuel is available at Finke & Mt DAre Ta
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 22:33
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 22:33
Being an Aboriginal community I would guess that Finke would only have Diesel and Avgas.
Check the Trip Notes on this site or maybe others know. MtDare has unleaded & diesel.
Was $1.50/litre when we were last there.
Definately stay a night at
Dalhousie Springs, even though the
campground has been moved. Dalhousie to Chambers is a long days drive.
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Reply By: Slunnie - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 00:10
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 00:10
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
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Reply By: Terry - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 00:43
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 00:43
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.
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Follow Up By: Cameron - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 21:24
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2003 at 21:24
Thanks Terry. We will becoming from
Oodnadatta Dalhousie etc. Any comments on
places to
camp? Also what pressure did you run Ta
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Reply By: Terry - Friday, Jan 31, 2003 at 23:57
Friday, Jan 31, 2003 at 23:57
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.
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