Getting from delhousie springs to uluru

Submitted: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 21:45
ThreadID: 57613 Views:3617 Replies:12 FollowUps:6
This Thread has been Archived
I am planning on doing the simpson desert crossing in 6 weeks from Birdsville to Delhousie springs and from there to Uluru. Unfortunately I only have a day to get from Delhousie Springs to Uluru cause I have to pick up the hand break up from the airport.

Can anyone suggest the best and quickest route? The missus would be mighty angry if I was late.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 21:53

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 21:53
I think I'd go Down Pedrika almost to Oodnanatta and cut west to Marla and up the highway.
Robin Miller

Member
My Profile  Send Message

AnswerID: 303833

Reply By: Shaker - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 22:03

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 22:03
If you are going to search for info ... it's Dalhousie Springs.
AnswerID: 303837

Reply By: Member - Doug T (FNQ) - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 22:09

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 22:09
Gonna be a bloody Loooooong day.... from DALhousie it will be over 650Klm. and it's unsealed until you get to Kulgera which will be slow . I won't tell you my other opinion.



.
gift by Daughter

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 303840

Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 11:23

Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 11:23
DOUG!!!
How can you even suggest he leaves the Mrs. behind!
0
FollowupID: 570382

Reply By: Member - Footloose - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 22:42

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 22:42
In one day you'll have great difficulty, and expose yourself to having an accident and to multiple wildlife encounters.
I'm sorry but Dalhousie to Uluru is not, in my book, a viable option.
AnswerID: 303848

Reply By: Kiwi & "Mahindra" - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 23:06

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 23:06
like the others said....you'll be pushing it as most of it will be dirt going....if you head north via mt dare it will ad hrs on to the trip....Kulgera to Dalhousie was a fair hike for one day... let alone getting to Kulgera.......hang going down to pedirka....join up at oodnadatta track a little south ... turn right and head towards to the stuart hwy (or what ever that big one up the middles called...)......thats imho would be the quickest...yet still a very long day!!
AnswerID: 303857

Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 00:41

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 00:41
We were up that way a few weeks ago, and you will need about 6 hrs safe travel time to get from Dalhousie to Oodnadatta, across to Marla.
You are then on bitumen and not sure how much further it is to Yalara, but it will be a long day for sure.
Think you should tell the handbreak to book a room, and start the washing by herself until you get there!!

How much time have you allowed to cross the simpson?

Cheers Pesty
AnswerID: 303866

Follow Up By: Luvdatpatrol - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 15:22

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 15:22
4 days. I split off from the group at dalhousie springs so the timing is a little bit out of my hands. I guess in reality I have 1 and a half days but I thought I should try to get there in one and still have half a day for a contingencie.

I can't get the handbreak to start the washing cause I wouldn't have arrived with the dirty clothes.
0
FollowupID: 570026

Reply By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 07:41

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 07:41
Hi Luvdatpatrol
The Quickest was from Dalhousie to Yulara, but like the rest have said, a very long day is from Dalhousie to Mount Dare, then to Finke. From Finke the road will improve through to Kulgera and from hear black stuff all the way on. Up to Erldunda and then the last run to Yulara. Others have stated other ways above, but this will be your quickest way.

Cheers and drive safely.

Stephen
Smile like a Crocodile

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 303873

Reply By: Lewy - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 08:36

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 08:36
Did that trip last October. Left Dalhousie in the morning (after a quick bath) about 8.30am. Headed up to Mt Dare, Finke then across to Kulgera and on to Uluru. It was a full days drive, but certainly worth it (would hate the idea of heading up to Uluru along with sealed road). Ended up in Uluru, set up camp, and time photographed the changes in the colour of the roack with the setting of the sun (with a Cold Beer). Good way to finished off a day.
AnswerID: 303879

Reply By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 09:35

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 09:35
I'd advise against the Perdika option. Very slow, rough and sharp stoney drive. One of the best stretches I know for doing a tyre, especially if you are in a hurry. I'd agree with the MT Dare, Charlotte Waters, New Crown, Finke, Kulgera route.
AnswerID: 303891

Follow Up By: Luvdatpatrol - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 15:25

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 15:25
Thanks all for your input. The response has been great and just inspired me to become a paying member. Sounds like MT Dare - Finke is the way to go.

Cheers
0
FollowupID: 570027

Follow Up By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 23:45

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 23:45
As i said above, we were there a few weeks ago, and yes the pedirka track is slow, approx average 35 k hr, but according to another traveller, he took nearly 3 hrs to come from Mt Dare to Dalhousie, the track sounds slower than the pedirka track.
May help with you planning.

Cheers Pesty
0
FollowupID: 570132

Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Friday, May 16, 2008 at 08:24

Friday, May 16, 2008 at 08:24
Pesty, I'd agree re the distance, but it is the surface that concerns me. The Perdika route isn't just corrugated, it's the Km after km of tyre killing rocks that I would either want to avoid, or drive very slowly with even lower tyre pressures than usual. I last did it two years ago, looking for a quick way through to meet up with friends at Purnie Bore. Wished I had gone via Mt Dare. Mind you, if you want something to keep you awake on a long drive, it's perfect. Good scenery too.
I'd also be thinking about fuel. Coming from the east. Just crossed the Simpson. How much fuel is being carried? Do you need to fill up and if so, where do you plan to do it?
0
FollowupID: 570151

Reply By: Holden4th - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 19:53

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 19:53
Do it in one day at your peril. Yes, many have and could accomplish it but as the others have said, the bitumen starts at Kulgera and the road from Dalhousie to Finke was seriously corrugated when I drove it in June 2006. You also have to remember that this section of road is rarely graded and some of the corrugations were quite extreme. The dirt roads get better after the Finke but are still very sandy (bulldust patches, etc) for the next 200 kms. Once you hit the bitumen things are much improved.
AnswerID: 303988

Reply By: Avan - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 22:45

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 22:45
Is that you Adrian?
AnswerID: 304035

Follow Up By: Luvdatpatrol - Friday, May 16, 2008 at 21:24

Friday, May 16, 2008 at 21:24
Do you read every post on here Doug??????
0
FollowupID: 570302

Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 11:34

Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 11:34
Gday,
I would seriously consider chartering a plane or trying to get her on the mail plane and flying her out to you. It wouldnt be as expensive as you think by the time you deducted your fuel and milage.
AnswerID: 304309

Sponsored Links