Birdsville track, which way?

Many thanks mate. I really wasn't expecting that. I thought all the water was on the ground flowing from elsewhere. I've been out there a bit and have rarely seen clouds let alone rain. Regards Mike

Lucky you firesafe....we got to the ferry on Wednesday afternoon and had a 1 car wait to get over to the north bank. Thursday morning, however was a 4 hour wait to get back to the south bank.

Not long after we got in the line up, a few groups showed up. At the height of it, there were 21 cars in the queue. At 4 cars per hour from each side, that puts the wait at 5 hours.

Would I do it again???? In a heartbeat.

Hey Stephen,

I was due to head off on Friday morning, with your experience of the area will the roads be open by then or am I better off delaying the trip.

Thanks
Jim

Hi Jim
It will depend on where you are travelling from. From what I am told, the rain that has made the Birdsville Track close was local heavy rain and the Track has been closed to stop the track from getting cut up, seeing that it has only recently been graded. I have been told that the area around Dulkaninna Station has had over 30mm of rain and the road was very sticky, yet Marree has had no rain. I have just checked again the 28 day Rainfall Forecast for the northern Pastoral areas with the next chance of rain around the 31st July - Low (Between 25 and 50 % chance of rain), 1st August Medium (50 - 75 % chance of rain) and the 2nd August Low with no rain expected in between.

Even if the Track was not closed, but open to 4X4, it still means that there is still lots of water around and track conditions still slippery. Having driven on such roads before (A very long story and was told one time in Marree that the Track was open, do not stop and head as far north as you can, when actually the road closed sign should have been put up, as 8 hours later we managed to get into Mungarannie where we had to stay for 3 days before the Track was opened again) I would wait it out. Like I have said before, a short time of no rain and a breeze and the track will dry out quickly.

I am to watching the forecast with much interest, as all areas that we wish to travel to in around 3 weeks are all closed due to the rain. I am not hitting the panic button just yet, but are quickly preparing plans C, D and E just in case.

The Cooper has not risen since we were last there, but the bird life has gone through the roof in that very short time.

Have a great trip to were ever you travel.

Cheers

Stephen

To late some mad bugger opened the road and it's a right mess now, water everywhere the track is all cut up. People trapped at Mungerannie until tommorow aparently when they are going to open the Birdsville end. One local tale tells some water holes are hip deep up the track. It's not good. Road crew camped at Mungerannie haven't started anything are on 10 day break. While waiting for the ferry I only saw 2 x seagulls the birds must be somewhere away from the ferry.

Tanks Teraa,

Looks like I made the right decision and deferred the trip til mid August

Jim

Stephen L....may have to discuss with you plans "C, D and E" ! :-) I was planning on going the same time as you roughly. I hope it does not rain again and dries up a bit.

Hi Paul
We are heading off in early August for 3 1/2 weeks. Lots of back tracks and out of the way places including Cameron Corner, Marree, back to the Cooper, Simpson Desert, Birdsville, Haddon Corner, Innamincka, back to Etadunna Station then back through the Flinders. If you see a solo black Prado and Yellow kayak, say g'day.

Cheers

Stephen

Hi
Is there a fee to cross the Cooper creek on the ferry?

regards
Randall

Hi Randall
The ferry is free to use, running 7 days a week between daylight hours.

Cheers

Stephen