Oodnadatta Track

Hi Chewy,

You will find a lot of info on this site. Look at the Blue Bar at the top of the page & check out "Treks" & "Articles" It will cover what to see & have most of the info you need on Road Conditions & Permits Required.
One Must See would be to head out from William Creek to Haligan Bay & see Lake Eyre while it has water in it. I was there a month ago & its amazing. You can also camp there.
You will need a "Desert Parks Pass" for Dalhousie also, This info is also under the Atricles tab above.
Check road conditions as there has been a lot of rain in the area lately, & drive to the conditions. If it's open it's usually a good track. Although this year a little rougher than normal due to the rains.
Have a great trip, Wish I was going again,
PMK

We have just come back from a 4 week trip to Uluru and took in Mt Dare, Dalhousie and went down the Oodnadatta track to Lyndhurst, got there just before the rain hit again and the 100 people got stuck at William creek.

the track in general is in ok condition, some areas have been cut up and there are wheel ruts, but a worn path is now clear through these, just pull over for oncoming vehicles.

We camped at various places, Algebuckina bridge was great, free and by the river, stayed at William creek, what a great pub and good food just book in early for dinner. Did not manage to make it out to the Lake Eyre north lookout due to truck issues, but is worth a drive I believe.

Be prepared for a rough ride in to Dalhousie, it is slow going with lots of corrugations, sandy stretches with corrugations and a lot of stony track work. Nothing difficult just a long slow road.
Make sure you drop your tyre pressure, David from Mt Dare recommends no more than 25 in the front, 30 in the rear and if you are towing then don't forget to lower the camper /caravan as well. Also there were a heap of mozzies that came out at night - but still worth it to laze in the hot spring

Hope that helps, feel free to ask any questions

Ian & Naomi

Hi Chewy81
You will have a great trip. You will find the track in from Bloods Creek is very badly corrugated once you hit the National Parks Boundary it is shocking and I thought that is was in far worst condition than the Anne Beadell Highway. National Parks Officers were doing a very feeble attempt of grading the track with a large metal bar and a couple of tractor tyres dragging behind their Toyota. The money that they collect from their Desert Parks Passes (Currently $110) they could at least put some of that back into grading the tracks properly. Make sure that you have a very good insect repellent, as when the sun goes down at Dalhousie, you will be carried away by the mosquitoes.

Cheers

Stephen

be sure and check out the Farina ruins between Lyndhurst and Marree. it would make a good stop over for a night if the distance suited IMHO.








Boggy Hole in Finke Gorge out to the West of Alice would be a must aswell IMHO, i'd make it a night stop over on the way to the big rock if i was planning your trip. we just did Cameron Cnr, Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy, Ayres Rock, Alice Springs, Boggy Hole, Chambers Pillar, down the Old Ghan to Mt. Dare and across the Simpson to Birdsville about a month ago and Boggy Hole was up at the top of the highlights list of this trip IMHO. pics can't do the place justice, the red rock gorge walls were stunning.

I reckon if you are going to Dalhousie then you should visit Mt Dare and go up the Old Ghan Heritage track to Alice. You basically drive on the old railway without the rails and sleepers of course. A detour to Chambers Pillar is worth it for sure as well. It's way more interesting than the tar from Marla to Alice. Mike

Thanks guys! Those pics look amazing and I will def. try to get to as many of those spots as I can.

I feel like a kid counting down til xmas!

The Painted Desert on Arckaringa Station is spectacular. Well worth a visit. Approx 90 kms SW of Oodnadatta, off the Coober Pedy track. Camping is available at the station with facilities, or bush camp before you get to the sign posted Painted Desert area.

Coward springshttp://www.cowardsprings.com.au/campground.php
is worth a stopover, make sure you go for a swim in the thermal springs, it is surprising how many people stay the night and don't know it is there. The campsite buildings are made out of railway sleepers from the Ghan. You need to light the fire under the hot water system to have a hot shower in the morning but that is all part of the experience.

It has been a few years since we went up the track but I remember one individual who went past us at half the speed of sound, we passed him half an hour later as he was changing a flat tyre, we were passed again by this same vehicle doing much the same speed, we passed him again changing another flat tyre. He drove into Coward springs 5 minuted after us and was heard whinging that he didn't have any spare tyres left, I politely explained to him that driving a bit slower allows the tyre time to ride over the rocks and stones that are prevalent all over the track thus avoiding punctures. 80+ Km/h might feel nice and smooth but your tyres are going through hell. Take it easy and slow down to a little as 15km/hour in the really rough patches and you should be ok. I also carry a more substantial puncture repair kit these days.

Enjoy the trip, it is a great drive.