Which Way? NSW to Innamincka...

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:28
ThreadID: 37225 Views:4058 Replies:4 FollowUps:8
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Hi all

While planning for our first desert trek - Strez Track - I suddenly realise I don't know which way to get to Innamincka from NSW! Du-oh! :-)

We'll be coming from the Mid North NSW coast, and probably visit Broken Hill. Then it looks like North up the Silver City Hwy which appears to go as far as the Qld border at the 'Warri Warri Gate'.

However, from here to Innamincka all looks rather vague to me. Our two families are towing Trak Shak camping trailers, and won't be looking to do any really serious 4wd stuff (yep, we're novices).

Can anyone kindly offer some suggestions on the route we might best take?

Any thoughts would be most appreciated!

Cheers, Max
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:34

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:34
Most common way is to go via Camerons Corner, Bollards Lagoon, Mert merti then up the old Strezlecki Track.
AnswerID: 191628

Follow Up By: maxhugen - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:25

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:25
Thanks. Sounds like the way to go... when I looked at the map past the Silver City Hwy (into Qld), it started looking very 'vacant' !
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 20:59

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 20:59
Maxhugen,
Its a great first-up trip. You'll have a ball - just do it!!
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Reply By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:52

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:52
On ExplorOz you can find the following Trek Notes:
Cameron's Corner - http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/OutbackNSW/Corner_Country.asp, the Bore Track http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Deserts/Bore_Track.asp, The Strzelecki Track
Site Link

Hope this helps. All Trek Notes are accesible from the pull down box in the middle of the Home Page, or use the Trip Planning menu at the top of the site and Trek Notes is 2nd item in the submenu, or use the Topic Search menu in the left hand margin of the site and click on Trek Notes. Also, you can use the Site Search and enter any word or group of words to get a results list of all pages on the site containing those words - the search can be filtered based on areas of the site you wish to search in too.
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:57

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:57
Umm, links are Corner Country: Site Link

Bore Track: Site Link

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Follow Up By: maxhugen - Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:27

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:27
Thanks Michelle. Found the Strez Trek notes perviously, better check out the notes on Camerons Corner too!
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Reply By: ferris - Wednesday, Aug 30, 2006 at 22:26

Wednesday, Aug 30, 2006 at 22:26
Hi Maxhugen,

Don't be put off by any talk of 4wd etc. Where you are planning is all easy going, basically gravel roads unless it rains, and then the best option is to sit and wait. Yes it is remote, but the roads are well travelled unless you take one of the side tracks. If you are nervous about heading into the never never, perhaps hire a satphone or hf radio (satphone is easier to use), and don't forget to lower your tyre pressures when you get off the bitumen. Keep an eye out for wash outs, as they get expensive if you hit them at speed, and also look out for kamakazies coming over the crests in the middle of the road (or even on the incorrect side). I presume you plan on going through Noccundra and Jackson Oil Field to Innamincka. Between Warri Gate and Nocundra is a little sandy, but nothing to worry about. The Noccundra pub is definetly worth a visit. You will need an SA Deserts Parks Permit to camp near Innamincka and visit the Cooper Creek etc. They are expensive, but the information and maps are well worth it (first time anyway). Most people seem to make a loop and return via the Strezlecki Track and Bollards Lagoon. Cameron Corner is worth the visit to say you've been there.
There is a more direct route from Tibooburra to Innamincka through Tooma Gate, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you are well prepared and experienced. This is a fascinating part of the world, and you'll get to see heaps if you take your time. I hope you are allowing a little more than a long weekend for this trip - 2 weeks at least.
Keep the shiny side up.
Ferris

AnswerID: 191917

Follow Up By: maxhugen - Thursday, Aug 31, 2006 at 09:03

Thursday, Aug 31, 2006 at 09:03
Hi Ferris

Thanks for the encouragement and advice! Since we have to get to the area from the NSW Mid North Coast, we've given ourselves 3 weeks.

Have already received my SA Parks Pass, yes, good info. We're meeting with the second family going, this weekend, to sort out menus, supplies, spares, fuel, water etc together. We may hire a satphone, though at a cost of $500 (!) they aren't cheap. However, since we have 7 kids between us, with youngest 5 months, it may be prudent, especially since we don't have a HF radio.

I'm going to suggest to the others that we go to Innamincka via Cameron Corner and the Bore Track. We'll spend some time around Innamincka (Cullymurra Waterhole, and Coongie Lakes), then head on down the track to Lyndhurst, with a couple of stops for camping along the way.

After Lyndhurst, perhaps a bit of time in the North Flinders Range, and by then we'll have to start heading back home.

Cheers, Max
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Follow Up By: ferris - Thursday, Aug 31, 2006 at 22:43

Thursday, Aug 31, 2006 at 22:43
Max, It looks like you have planned and prepared well, so have a great trip. Don't forget to visit Talc Alf at Lyndhurst....now he's an outback character! As for the cost of the satphone, I would like to relay a personal and somewhat frightening experience. While camped in a remote part of Arnhem Land, our then 3 year old child became seriously ill late at night, requiring immediate hospitilisation. We had the option of calling in the flying doctor, but this meant trying to locate and then light an airstrip at midnight, or driving 7 hours to the nearest medical centre. After receiving advice, we chose the drive. The satphone was a god send, and now we do not travel without one. Touch wood, we've never needed it since. The other benefit is keeping in touch with family while you are away. Sharing the cost between two families will keep it reasonable. Have a great trip.
Keep the shiny side up.
Ferris
ps: don't forget to pack the winter jarmies for the kids, the nights are still chilly out there.
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Follow Up By: maxhugen - Friday, Sep 01, 2006 at 08:38

Friday, Sep 01, 2006 at 08:38
Thanks Ferris

I think any hesitation I had about the satphone just evaporated! Even though we won't really be all that far from civilisation (a pub with a phone), I know it would be foolish to go without any form of communication.

Have Talc Alf on my list of things to do/see already, and will remember the jarmies!

Cheers, Max
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Reply By: Member - Rodney R (VIC) - Thursday, Aug 31, 2006 at 17:16

Thursday, Aug 31, 2006 at 17:16
maxhugen hi Went that way 4 weeks ago. Make sure you spend some time at Mootwingee national park, great place just north of Broken Hill. All the best ps make sure you take some small yabbies, guarantee you will catch some fish in the coopers creek.
AnswerID: 192003

Follow Up By: maxhugen - Friday, Sep 01, 2006 at 08:42

Friday, Sep 01, 2006 at 08:42
Thanks Rodney... read that Mootwingee was cool, might try to squeeze it in, along with White Cliffs. Gosh, hope 3 weeks is enough time! Cheers, Max
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