SIMPSON DESERT CLOSED AT BIRDSVILLE - do I have your attention :)

Hi Russ
We are in the same boat, but have a little extra time. Two weeks before we leave but them at least another week before we head over the Simpson. As you would know, providing that it does not get any more rain, things should dry out by then.

Cheers

Stephen

This was the scene a couple of weeks ago, but there was a diversion to the south.
From what I hear there is still a lot of water laying around and recent rains may have caused a few problems.


Image Could Not Be Found

On the flight over Cooper Creek and Lake Eyre, the water from the Cooper is still a fair few K's from Lake Eyre . . . leads one to think there may be water there next year as well . .

Image Could Not Be Found

Oh, it was asked the other day whether they were using one or two motors on the punt . . . they are only using the one as when they used two, they found the punt got up on the plane as was too hard to stop on the other side . . p, it is Friday . . ))



Cheers

The simple answer is that the Simpson desert in not closed at Birdsville, the southern diversion is still in place at Big Red, & the northern diversion is still in place at the QAA line for Eyre Creek, there was talk of a small southern diversion in place but not yet confirmed.

There has been substantial rain north of Mt Dare & the Old Andado track has been closed, the road up from Oodna' should be open shortly & I drove out to Kulgera yesterday with no problems.

Expect there to be water in the claypans around Poepple Cnr & south of the Knolls track.

Also wet around perni Bore to Freeth junction.

I hope this clears things up for you.

Cooper Creek water entered Lake Eyre 3 weeks ago. It is rapidly filling Madigan gulf (the east side of the lake) and will soon be connecting with the large mass of water in Belt Bay.

here's what the Eyre Creek northern bypass crossing looked like about 2 weeks ago, it would have been about 500mm deep at best. the crossing was easy going and not a drama at all, though not sure what effect recent rains have on that system.

pictured is a hilux with 2" lift doing the crossing. looks abit deeper with the slight bow wave, so take that into consideration

Stop panicking - nothing is closed. Bit of rain during the week shouldn't scare you lot. Get out there and have a good time!
Ruth

Prickle, are you aware that Marree had 37 mm rain this week?

Only local rumor it's not like I saw them but they say there is 10 vehicles bogged in the Simpson. I don't think it was a little rain as the Warburton has risen 2 foot in the last 3 days that I am sure about.