oodnadatta mid-late Feb?

It will be bloody hot but if you can take that then go for it. Make sure you take the usual precautions, particularly with the vehicle. It will be lonely out there. If you go off the main track ie to Lake Eyre make sure to tell someone. Also make sure you run tyres at reduced pressure as I have seen fully inflated tyres completely destroyed on the track from corrugations. Reduced pressure (and speed) they will last for ever.

Don't forget the fly nets. Never leave the broken down vehicle, wait for help.

Now for the controversial bit: Do not use poly air bags on your suspension. They will not reduce suspension flex and make the tyres work harder and can reduce life significantly.

Hottest time of the year. You would be looking at shade temps around 45 daily and night temps 30 to 35 which does not make for pleasant camping. Surface temps can get up to 60 degrees.

Its up to you but we locals try to stay in the shade at this time of the year

Personally I would not be comfortable with that amount of water ration. Especially if you intend to be independent of using other peoples precious supplies.
Since you are not bushwalking you could afford to carry a bit more for all the necessary washing / cooking tasks , radiator back up etc in addition to drinking water? I would be inclined to double that amount particularily if bush camping.
IMHO It was hot enough for me (a southerner) in August , a better time to travel those corrugated roads. Dont forget to heed advice from the Pink roadhouse and this Forum about lowering tyre pressures and slowing down a bit.
Have fun

jnewlife,
the way the weather is looking at the moment the Oodnadatta might be under water :-) Certainly something to keep in mind if you are considering heading up there next month as any flooding will change conditions considerably.

Toytruck

I'm with Willem - potential for very high heat levels is great - and the potential for vehicle breakdown is always there, even thought the roads you mention are all very good in bush terms - If I was to do it, I'd be carrying a lot of water and would have real communications gear instead of the Epirb - that said, the OOd track has been in very good condition of late - unless the rain changes the equation, its easy going - quite smooth. Re neg mention of the air bags above - phooey ! Re mention also of going out to Lake Eyre - careful - people do die out there in the high summer (no joke).

I strongly suggest you take a look at the temperature patterns in that part of the world first. It can hit 54C and you can also experience flooding. Yes true as it is the time of year when that part of the world gets most of its rain from the tropics. So be very well prepared and have at least three days water and food on board in case. Tyre pressures should be lowered to around 26 psi. Check with Adam Plant at Oodnadatta. See their website for useful advice as well.

My recommendation is think again but if you want to bump into some crazy tourists from Europe then they will certainly be there for sure.

Poly Air comment is quite frankly misleading and technically incorrect. We have been using them on several vehicles for over five years with no problems at all. The biggest problem is people don't know how to use them correctly. Firstly pump them up to aournd 30 psi BEFORE loading the vehicle. Then lower the pressure to level the car front to rear and run around 15 psi at the most. Our vehicles average 3200 kgs and it works for us. When unloaded run around 10 psi to prevent them rubbing on the springs and abrading so leading to punctures. They do not impinge on suspension travel in any toyota we have fitted them to, or LR Discovery etc etc

If you are planning to visit the Coober Pedy area, at a reasonable time of the year then book in to Evelyn Downs as well. It is a working property and the painted desert they have is miles beyond what you will experience at Coober Pedy itself. Definately worth the side trip and a nice spot to stay for a couple of days.

Why not consider doing the trip anti clockwise and time your Perth departure for around March. Head across the Nullabore via either Esperance or Kalgoorlie or include both. Then into SA via Ceduna, along the cost to Port Lincoln then to Port Augusta and on to Coober Pedy that way. You are then well on your way North and back around to Perth again

RobA

There is a lot of water being dumped our there right now ... I expect things will be closed for a few weeks at least by the sounds.

J myself and 3 mates went to William Creek last weekend. The max temp is varying over 15 deg a week, with one day under 30 and a few days latter over 40 (Roxby Downs). Very weird.

I was surprised at just how many vehicles we passed during our short 520km round trip. The Coaster tour bus dudes (Groovey Grape Tours) are even still running up thru there.

But as was sad we've just had a day of steady showers today with another 2-3 days of it expected. The Ood, Birdsville and other tracks are closed as I passed the sign coming home tonight. Might be another week or 2 before it dries up depending on what we are yet to get.

Just make sure you take a little more water than normal. The stations around there work all year round and you'll often hear the UHF crackle to life if you leave it on scan.