Birdsville Track

No it still rising and is expected to remain for most of the rest of the year.

Just got back from crossing the Cooper. Talking to the punt operators and they said it has started to drop. It is visible on the shoreline of lake Killamperpunna that it has dropped back about 300mm so at a guess 100mm in hight maybe.
The punt operator also said they don't think they will be there as long as first expected but at least another three Months maybe 1 more.

Well worth the drive and we will most likely be back up there mid September.

Cheers Matt

Hello Anita,
Just got back from there last night. The ferry operators tell me they have been told they're on a 4 month assignment at this stage with probably longer to follow after that.

The track up to the ferry (Marree side) is in excellent condition. Camping and the availability of firewood on the northern side at the crossing is good but the southern side is swampy and barren.

We detoured to have a look at the MV Brennan and see where the Cooper crosses the actual track and....well...forget it! The road is well and truely under water and for the best part, unrecognisable as to where the road actually runs. It's sloppy too, so even after the water subsides, it will take months to fully dry out and be regraded to a level where it will be opened again.

My guess is that at best, and with a hot dry summer, the track will re-open in the first quarter of next year. You really have to see it to believe it as to how much water there is there. The creek at the ferry crossing is only about 400-500 metres wide. However, at the track crossing, it extends beyond the horizon. I have a SLR camera with 10X zoom and even at full zoom, I could not see the other side. It makes the Murray river look like a piddle on a puddle.

If you drop me a line at fabandsonja@hotmail.com I'd be only to happy to email you some photos.

It's worth the look and the experience for sure, but yes, the size of your vehicle will hold you back.

FYI....the wait to get across heading north was about 30 minutes, but yesterday heading south was a four hour wait.

Regards....Fab.

We are in the same boat..travelling from Adelaide..is there another way to get to Birdsville? have been planning this trip for a year and am so dissappointed we can't do it.