We are leaving Bairnsdale in 2 weeks for a 6 week trip through the centre of Australia. Our original plan was as follows:
Broken Hill, Cameron’s Corner,
Innamincka,
Birdsville, Maree,
Oodnadatta,
Dalhousie Springs, Ayers
Rock, Kings Canyon,
West Macdonnell Ranges,
Alice Springs, Plenty Hwy,
Longreach and then
home via
Bourke, etc.
With all the rain we’ve had, half the trip is now under water. It appears that even assuming no rain in the next few weeks (good luck) the areas surrounding
Innamincka and the Plenty Hwy will still be no go zones.
Holidays have been booked with work, so it’s go or stay at
home and do the garden (not an option).
We will be travelling in a Crewcab Rodeo 4x4 suitably set up. Experience wise I have done a lot of 4wdring around the
VIC High Country and other Vic locations, but never any outback driving. The original trip plan I thought, would have been a pretty good introduction to outback driving without being extreme.
Accommodation wise we were planning to
camp both free and caravan parks as
well as nights off here and there when we will take the soft option of a cabin or motel.
Main aim of the trip was to get out and experience the outback, see
places like Ayers
Rock, etc and do a couple of iconic drives such as the
Oodnadatta and
Birdsville Tracks.
With the flooding I want to see what we can of Lakes Eyre and the river system without making a nuisance of myself (damaging tracks, etc). What are the best options for doing this?
The car has been serviced and checked and all the gear is ready (half packed). We are ready to go. Given the circumstances and leaning on the experiences of others, what do others suggest as the best way to make the most of our 6 week outback trip?
Thank you for your responses.
Regards
Geoff