Is the track open from Birdsville to Eyre creek ?

Submitted: Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 22:17

ThreadID: 68621 Views:3781 Replies:6 FollowUps:6

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Bob the

Hi everyone, I'm hearing different reports from lets say unreliable sources, that it's currently not possible to drive to Eyre creek from Birdsville. As I'm leaving Melbourne on Monday morning to go to Birdsville, I'm feeling a little confused as to wether I can or cannot get to Eyre creek from Birdsville. I'm a computer novice and have gone to trek notes looking for a way to acess Desert parks but have no idea...?? Anyone with reliable information would be appreciated... Thank you very much..!!

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Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 22:23

Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 22:23

Simpson still closed from the east side, IE Birdsville due to Eyre Creek Flooding.

Access from the west side, Mt Dare, Dalhousie Springs but it means coming back to the west side a complete crossing is currently not doable.

Look Here for details.

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Reply By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 22:28

Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 22:28

AFAIK, there's nothing to stop you from driving _TO_Eyre Creek from Birdsville...

Crossing it, is a whole 'nother matter entirely..

;-))

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Reply By: Bob the - Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 22:37

Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 22:37

G'day Ed.c. I don't want to cross the Simpson, I simply want to drive to Eyre creek to camp and watch the wildlife on the creek... As this does not happen very often. Thanks for your reply.

AnswerID: 363780

Follow Up By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 22:57

Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 22:57

G'day Bob,
It may pay you to ring the NPWS ranger at Birdsville (07 4656 3272 I think??) to get on-the-spot info...
I believe Eyre Ck is 16 - 20 km wide atm, and some of the swales either side of it may be a bit boggy (depending on how much rain they've had in the vicinity recently)...
Thinkin' of doin' something similar myself in the next couple of weeks..

Let us know how ya go;-)

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Reply By: Bob the - Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 23:09

Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 23:09

Thanks Ed.C. I'll call the number tomorrow and let you know. I posted a thread here a couple of weeks ago asking a similar thing and Ruth said the track was open. I've recently heard a couple of hear says, that have thrown my thoughts to thinking what the ??? is really going on...???

AnswerID: 363784

Follow Up By: Willem - Friday, May 08, 2009 at 05:05

Friday, May 08, 2009 at 05:05

Ruth, being a long time Birdsville resident will know what she is talking about when she states something.

Please be aware that Eyre Creek lies within station property and you may need permission to camp there. This information you should be able to access at the Birdsville National Parks Office

Cheers

FollowupID: 631455

Reply By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Friday, May 08, 2009 at 15:54

Friday, May 08, 2009 at 15:54

Bob (and anyone else) - you can drive easily from Birdsville to Big Red, along a graded gazetted road - then you can drive the 28 sand dunes to Eyre Creek, not quite as easily. Yes you can camp at Eyre Creek but can't go up and down the Creek because it is private property, it is a working cattle station and they are presently doing the muster which has been delayed by the flooding.
It is beautiful on the banks of the creek (probably not the actual creek but one of the floodouts - still beautiful) and I would be very surprised if you did not enjoy it.
Weather is delightful - 15 and 27 and sunny (during the day anyway because at night it's dark with lots of stars and will surely be a full moon for you whilst you are there - watch out for werewolves!)
Have a very good trip and boo hoo to all the naysayers.
Bob, you will not be in the 'Simpson Desert' - you will be on the edge of it on private property. No you probably won't be able to cross the creek or the Simpson but the 28 dunes will give you more than enough thrill for this time. The Simpson will always be there and you can always come and do it another time.
Have fun.

AnswerID: 363863

Follow Up By: Bob the - Friday, May 08, 2009 at 20:35

Friday, May 08, 2009 at 20:35

Ruth. I thank you once again for your reply. And yes the doomsayers down here got the better of me. Which left me scratching my head. That is why I asked the question again. All the best, Bob.

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Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Saturday, May 09, 2009 at 19:11

Saturday, May 09, 2009 at 19:11

Ruth,

Should be in Birdsville around the 1st June, and will camp over night at Eyre Creek.
Will return to Birdsville then onto Mungerannie for the flight over Lake Eyre North.

I will also be doing a west to east trip across the desert around the 20th July. I hope the desert will be open by then.

Also around the end of July I should be back to do a Hay River trip.

Wayne

FollowupID: 631738

Reply By: DOBBO60 - Friday, May 08, 2009 at 18:51

Friday, May 08, 2009 at 18:51

Following on from this, myself and several others are planning to be heading across the Simpson from the west in mid July.
What are the chances that Eyre Creek has subsided enough to be able to reach Birdsville by that time?

Dobbo

AnswerID: 363907