Is It To Wet?

Submitted: Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 13:57
ThreadID: 81150 Views:4578 Replies:4 FollowUps:6
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A group of us are to leave next week and our intention was to go from Victoria to Coober Pedy and we were to go to William Creek, Lake Eyre and then the Flinders Ranges but we see now a lot of the roads are closed. Is it still worth coming to the area at this time or are we going to be camping in mud and only able to stick to the main roads.

Thanks
Di
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 14:20

Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 14:20
Hi Di
If you want to see some of the best displays of wild flowers for decades you could spend all of you time in the Flinders. The outback roads will need quite some time for them to dry out properly and I do not think that one week will be enough, as we are in for more heavy rain again this week.

Just my thoughts.

Cheers

Stephen
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Follow Up By: Andrew & Jen - Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 15:35

Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 15:35
Seconded
Head for Flinders Ranges
Then look at options, which can change at (relatively) short notice, either + or -
Plenty to occupy yourselves as far north as line drawn E/W through Copley.
Suggerst that if weather/tracks OK, head for Lake Eyre, etc, towards end of trip, rather than at the beginning.
Also suggest have a gander at Ron and Viv Moon's book on the Flinders Ranges - stacks to see and do.
Cheers
Andrew
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Follow Up By: DiCros - Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 23:03

Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 23:03
Thanks Andrew & Jen. Will check that out,

regards
Di
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Follow Up By: DiCros - Monday, Sep 06, 2010 at 13:32

Monday, Sep 06, 2010 at 13:32
Thank you to Stephen, think I missed you the first time around.
Di
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Reply By: Fiona & Paul - Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 21:12

Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 21:12
We just travelled (3 days ago) through Mildura, Renmark, Morgan, Berri, Peterborough and Port Augusta to Roxby Downs and we have been through some really heavy rain, some lasting for 8-9 hours. Yesterday the wind speed was very high and we were back to 3rd gear into the head winds and down to 60km flat out and we used lots of petrol.

Apparently the road to Hawker was closed and one around Lyndhurst but all was OK today for our trip but more heavy rain and high winds are likely towards the end of this week - this site is good to watch. We are keeping an eye on the weather and this site SA Transport is pretty reliable.

http://www.transport.sa.gov.au

Regards
Paul H



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Follow Up By: DiCros - Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 23:01

Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 23:01
Thank you Andrew and Paul for your replies. I will keep a watch both here and the SA gov site and see how it's looking. Maybe someone has some suggestions of alternate locations to visit in the area.

Regards
Di
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Follow Up By: Andrew & Jen - Monday, Sep 06, 2010 at 09:44

Monday, Sep 06, 2010 at 09:44
Di
There are many places to explore, both in the Lower Flinders and Northern Flinders, as well as the "traditional" Flinders that people often associate with the name, eg, around Wilpena Pound. Again, I would suggest picking up a copy of the Moon's book - "The Flinders Ranges - an Adventurer's Guide".
For example, there is an area NW of Quorn - Warren Gorge, the Argadell's self drive trail, etc; or E of Hawker; stay at Alpana Station (just S of Blinman) and get the key for the Mt Samuel track N of Parachilna Gorge; have a look at the Glass Gorge loop, or the PAR to the Artimore Ruins and so on.
One of the advantages of this area (cf further to the N) is that the main road north to Lyndhurst is sealed, as is the road from Hawker to Blinman. While both can be closed for short periods due to flooding of fords (there are few, if any, bridges), generally the water levels subside fairly quickly and the road is back open again. This is in contrast to many (but not all) of the open surface roads that may take some time to dry out after rain has fallen, or, when already soaked, can be closed again with only a little rain. So in times of poor weather, by planning your routes carefully, you can be within a reasonable distance of a sealed road if things go pear shaped.
Regards
Andrew
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Reply By: Member - Leon A (SA) - Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 23:49

Sunday, Sep 05, 2010 at 23:49
The chance of rain later in the week has decreased from 80% to 40% so fingers crossed as we were hoping to head up to Birdsville for a beer or two sunday week.

Might be spending a couple of nights in Roxby at the pub with friends instead if it does rain.
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Reply By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Monday, Sep 06, 2010 at 13:15

Monday, Sep 06, 2010 at 13:15
We are heading north on Saturday for 3 weeks and our plan was similar to yours. Now we are just going to plan one day ahead and keep in touch with VKS737 to see what roads are open.

Might head to the Flinders forst now and see what happens, or run straight up the black top to the NT.

Cheers

Pete
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Follow Up By: DiCros - Monday, Sep 06, 2010 at 13:31

Monday, Sep 06, 2010 at 13:31
Thank you to all those who have replied. I appreciate it very much. We'll have a look at all the places and ideas you have suggested and I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time where ever we end up.

Regards
Di
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