Lake Eyre from the East

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 15:16
ThreadID: 44567 Views:4310 Replies:3 FollowUps:10
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Hi folks, I wish to check out Lake Eyre in July this year. I will be heading south from Birdsville to Marree and have seen on the maps that "Level Post Bay" is only 96km from Marree. I do not have much time on this trip so I was wondering A) is it worth the trip to Level Post Bay? and B) is it possible to go from Birdsville to Level Post Bay in one day? or should I break up the Birdville track with a stopover at Kalamurina HS on the Warburton Ck? I have checked out the place search function and archives but can't find much on Level Post Bay in particular.

This is all on my way to the EO national gathering at Warraweena and I am presuming it would only be a days run from Level Post Bay to Warraweena?

Thanks for any info.
Trevor.
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Reply By: champagne - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 17:22

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 17:22
Hi Trevor,
We are going to Lake Eyre on 14th May, up and out to Warakurna, Sandy Blight Track, then back from Alice Springs down the Colsen Track. Be back in Qld approx 23rd June, so if you like will let you know what we discovered then. Unfortunately do not have a lap top so cannot get in touch until either Alice Springs or when we arrive back home. Let's know
Jan
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Follow Up By: Willem - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 18:49

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 18:49
How on earth did you get a permit for the Colson Track? Over the past years no permits have been issued to travcerse the Colson Track. UNless the police has been changed recently.
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Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 20:11

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 20:11
What a trip. Wish I had that much time to spend on mine also. Most of your reports sound like they would be for areas too far north and west for me???? but any trip reports from that country go down well with me and help keep me working to "one day" do it for myself, I am sure there is plenty of other forumites interested in the trip report when you come back also, so please post it.

Safe and enjoyable travels.
Trevor.
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Reply By: Willem - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 18:58

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 18:58
Trevor

Kalumarina HS would be your best bet to see water.

Or you can come down to Marree and then head north west past Muloorina Station to have a look at the Lake. Good camping at Muloorina too. Last 15km into Level Post Bay was very corrugated last time I was there. Not sure if the water has come down that far yet.

Cheers

AnswerID: 234967

Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 20:01

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 20:01
Thanks Willem, I was hoping you would answer as I figured this would be up your alley.

Marree to Muloorina- much in the way of sand ridges that might hamper progress with a trailer?

Cheers Trevor.
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Follow Up By: Willem - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 20:15

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 20:15
Trevor

Flat country drive all the way to the Lake.

Good camp spot at Claytons Bore/Wetlands. Artesian Hot Water bath, shower and clean flush toilets. Its free but donations towards the upkeep of these excellent facilities is appreciated.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Arkay (SA) - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 08:42

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 08:42
Claytons Bore, yeah, I remember that one. 2004 it was. We have been places that had cold water and no hot water in the showers before, but Claytons Bore was the first and only showers I know where there was hot water and no cold water. Enjoyed our stopover but unfortunatley the auto gearbox sort of died 150km further up the road towards Birdsville and we had to come all the way back to Maree in first gear. Heather said it was like watching grass grow until I pointed out the was no grass. More like watching stones grow. The guys from Copley sent a tray top up to get us from Maree. The guys from Adelaide sent a tray top up to Maree to get us from Copley. Blah, rather forget Claytons Bore after all that.
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 19:12

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 19:12
You won't see water on Lake Eyre this year unless you do a plane flight (usually from Wiliam Ck).

Like Willem said, Muloorina is a nice place to camp - just bring in your own firewood, and cost is a donation to RFDS. Warm water swimming hole there from the bore overflow. You then drive out to Level Post Bay - the road is a bit better since it was turned into a PAR. But you'll just see a salt lake for as far as you can see. I personally would give it a miss.

Birdsville to Muloorina is a long days drive. We tend to camp at Mungarannie, Cooper Ck, Clayton Station or Farina. All are good outback camps with some facilities.
AnswerID: 234971

Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 19:56

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 19:56
Thanks Phil. I must have misguided informants up this way, as they tell me with the rainfall up around Mt Isa this year, Lake Eyre "should fill up nicely this year". Maybe they are just talking through the bottom of their stubbie bottles.

I will look at distances between Birdsville and the other camps you mentioned to help make my plans. Thanks again.

Regards, Trevor.
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 20:53

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 20:53
"Autumn's reduced evaportion rate allows flood
remnant to put small amount of water into Belt Bay
Water only seen by air
Warburton River falling rapidly"
As Phil has said little if any chance of it filling this year. For more detail go to this site
Cheers Craig..........
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 21:04

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 21:04
The lake has to be mostly full to see water at Halligans Bay and Level Post Bay which are the 2 points where most people see the lake. They are both very shallow areas - even when the lake is pretty much covered, you still are just looking at the water on the horizon, and to walk to it is in black slushy mud. The lake has to be pretty full for those points to be worth a visit.

Well, the Eyre Yacht Club had to call it a day a few weeks back! Eyre Ck has dropped, so that the bypass track was opened earlier this month. So I'm pessimistic that we'll get any significant filling this year.

The lake was pretty much full in 2000, and from memory the previous time was 1987. It tends to fill every 15 years. To fill, it needs water coming from all the rivers - at present only the Warburton is flowing into the lake. Nothing coming down Cooper Ck, Neales, Macumba.

I'd love it to fill. In 2000, we did a club trip where we were guided around Babbage Peninsula - that was magic - pelicans, shrimp on the waters edge, and some magnificent scenery.

Cheers
Phil
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FollowupID: 495983

Follow Up By: Crackles - Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 23:14

Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 at 23:14
Certainly right Phil, the lake comes alive when it fills. Next time it does I recommend boating down the Warburton from Kalamurina, trip of a lifetime. For those not completely adventurous enough to do it on their own, Rex Ellis does guided tours each time it flows.
Our group will be looking to do the Kallakoopah creek loop next time should the conditions allow possibly on jet ski's.
Cheers Craig.............
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FollowupID: 496025

Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 08:56

Sunday, Apr 22, 2007 at 08:56
Thanks guys, certainly more accurate info than was coming out of the bottom of my mates stubbies. Will keep an eye on the LEYC site too thanks Craig for future years travel.

Regards, Trevor.
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FollowupID: 496063

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