Chowilla Old Coach Road Feedback

Submitted: Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 09:16

ThreadID: 59972 Views:3442 Replies:2 FollowUps:2

This Thread has been Archived

Chowilla Old Coach Road

From forests of large River Red Gums to dense lignum scrublands of the backwaters and billabongs, the Old Coach Road offers everything that you would expect from an outback trip.

aussiedoc

This is definitely 2WD other than some sand around Lake Littra which might be tricky in 2WD when very dry. No problems for soft roader. Gates closed when had rain. Road into Calerum station is less than km and not the 101.53km marked, hence overall trip is much less than the 8 hours listed. Trek notes a little confusing around the eastern end of the trek

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Louie the fly - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 11:21

Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 11:21

I was looking at this trek yesterday. Was thinking about doing it in spring. Is it worth the trip? Should I take the canoe or is it pretty dry (as I suspect it may be)?

AnswerID: 316305

Follow Up By: Member - Douglas M (SA) - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 14:25

Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 14:25

Hi Louie,
I haven't done the Renmark to Wentworth trip but have spent a bit of time in the Chowilla "biosphere" state park both from houseboat and camping. If you are travelling on the track that follows the river (I think that this is the coach road) you need to get to the gravel Wentworth Renmark road at the slightest sign of rain. It rained overnight once while we were camped at site 5 or 6 and we had a hell of a time getting out. Fortunately I had my first 4wd vehicle and managed to get out with the trailer and then return trailerless to tow out our 2wd friends with their trailer. The clay flats turn to really slippery mud after rain. Talk to the locals they all know about it.
Doug MacLennan

FollowupID: 582609

Follow Up By: aussiedoc - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 17:10

Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 17:10

Gday Louie,
I agree with Doug about the effect of rain, could get tricky very quickly. There are about 36 posted campsites and sites 1-7 are on the Murray and then camps 8-16 (I think) are on the Monoman Creek. There was plenty of water on the Murray and even a good amount in the Monoman at least up to about camp 13 or 14. I suspect you have to book and pay to camp there. I reckon it would be good canoeing. Ken Ward

FollowupID: 582627

Reply By: Garbutt - Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 18:11

Monday, Jul 21, 2008 at 18:11

The canoeing is excellent in the creeks that branch off the Chowilla Ck, many of these make there way from the Murray above Lock 6 into the Chowilla Creek, then through various other creeks back, at some stage into the Murray. The Nat Parks people have a brochure titled Chowilla Kayaking Guide or something similar. The campsites are pay per use on an honesty system, Chowilla ius run as a partnership between the pastoralists (the Robertson family) and the Nat Parks.

AnswerID: 316359