Which road is the way to go from Oodnadatta to Birdsville?

Thanks Stephen, what would be the time frame for Dalhousie to Birdsville? I understand conditions etc. come into it, just approx. thanks, dingo

Hi Dingo
Once again there are 3 main ways across the desert -

French Line
WAA Line
Rig Road

The above track will all meet at the Knolls Turn Off and from there on in is the French Line to Poeppel Corner, then north on the K1 Line to the QAA then on to Birdsville.

We have travelled every track and all different, with no track either better or worse than the other.

Personally from my point of view, the absolute minimum would be 3 to 4 days, even then it is going to be rushed. You will hear reports of people doing it in a lot less time, just to say they have been and done the Simpson. No one Simpson trip is never enough to get the true feel of the desert.

Get you map out, pick a selections of route covering all track and you will have a ball. If you love that country, you will be back again, that is for sure.

Cheers

Stephen

Hi Stephen,
We are planning on taking this route from Oodnadatta to Finke in early July. Can we continue on from Abminga to Charlotte Waters, then New Crown and into Finke?
Rob

Hi Rob,
The way that you have planned is spot on. You will find a good variation in track conditions, from gibber country through to good sandy tracks. If you are going to Finke, it is worth the slight detour to the Lambert Centre. Follow the main road, (well signposted) towards Kulgera. About 20 kilometres from Finke you will come to the Lambert Centre turn off on the right hand side of the road. It is about 14 kilometres in, a slow and winding track in seeing you are going to be so close.

Enjoy the Red Centre, it is a top spot.

Cheers

Stephen

Simpson crossing classed as open now - although a bit squishy at Eyre creek, but quite 'doable' according to Parks staff. A VKS member reports no trouble at the Eyre creek, but advises travellers to walk it first, then stay well upstream above the iron droppers placed by NP staff. I guess from this that the creek bed must be very firm.