Outback Floods 2010

Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 10:16

ThreadID: 81607 Views:4002 Replies:4 FollowUps:8

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Member - David C1 (VIC)

I am seeking some advice from other members.
I have 10 days off work and I want to see all the flood waters about in the desert.
I have driven both the Birdsville Track and The Oodnadatta Track within the last few years, so don't need to check out the touristy things- my priority being the flood waters and the impact of all the water.
My question is, given the time frame, where am I best of travelling to experience this rare opportunity?
Any advice from recent travellers would be much appreciated.

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Reply By: Members Pa & Ma. - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 11:38

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 11:38

Hi David,
We've just returned from holz. Our plans were changed twice due to road closures. We skirted around the rain but there was lots of ponded water .and very chopped up areas when the roads.
The in Arkaroola are spectacular. and the waterholes are all full.
When the road opened we went up to the Coopers Creek punt, the creek has gone down but there is still a lot of water in it.

If you're wanting to see the damage caused by the heavy rains . The road was washed away at Kintore, we were going to travel the Sandy Blight Junction track, but couldn't due to road closure, but this may not fit into your time frame & it could still be closed.
Make sure you check the road condition report.
Many roads were shut due to severe washouts eg. Moolawatana down to Arkaroola.
Mungeranie to Birdsville.The access to the Simpson desert from Mt. Dare was washed out.
If you want to see wild flowers go into the Simpson desert, if it's not still closed from Mt Dare.You don't have to cross it, you could just go in a little way and return.
Be aware that it's a fine of $1000 for each tyre if you drive on a closed road. QLD is the strictest on this.
Safe travels, Take care, Ma.

AnswerID: 431710

Follow Up By: Members Pa & Ma. - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 12:40

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 12:40

Back again David ,
My spelling corrector took out some words like wild flowers and when the roads were opened????? sorry , I don't know what happened.
Hubby has said that this is the way to do it in 10 days.
Go to Maree, up the Birdsville track, cross the Coopers creek Punt . Then go up to Birdsville, drive out to the Simpson Desert to Eyre Creek and return.
Check out the road condtions first .The road from Mugarannie was still closed to Birdsville last week.
Safe travels, Take care Ma.

FollowupID: 702562

Follow Up By: Member - David C1 (VIC) - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 17:23

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 17:23

Thanks for your help Ma. I think we will take your advice. We crossed the Simpson last year in August and thought we were pretty lucky to have seen Eyre Creek area so lush and green. I bet it had nothing on what we might see this time around!! Thanks again.

FollowupID: 702571

Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 14:28

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 14:28

Hi David
If I had your time and know what I know, I would head to the Flinders Ranges, takes the back tracks out past Martins Well, Arkaroola, Copley, Marree, The Cooper Ferry Site, back down the Borefied Track to Roxby Downs.

You will see the best displays of wild flowers and Sturt Desert Pea, see the Cooper over the Birdsville Track, a fact that might not happen for another 20 years or so and some great country in between.

The water and the flowers will be a trip to see that is not repeated very often.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Member - David C1 (VIC) - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 17:35

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010 at 17:35

Thanks Stephen- some good advice there for us to consider. I wasn't too sure how far we would have to venture before seeing the impacts of all that water. Hope to get some great photos. Looking forward to the wild flowers. Thanks.

FollowupID: 702572

Follow Up By: Members Pa & Ma. - Thursday, Sep 30, 2010 at 10:38

Thursday, Sep 30, 2010 at 10:38

Hi David & Stephen,
I was talking to you Stephen before we left to have another go at the S.B.J. cos we couldn't do it last year! That area copped a deluge this yr.
So, Plan C., we'd only seen Arkaroola when in drought so with all the road closures around the centre, we did some zig zagging and got into Arkaroola and we agree with you on the Martins well route etc.
It was worth all the detours to do it. We camped at the Shephards hut camp ground. It's very popular so get in early. Hopefully for us we'll get to do the S.B.J. next year.
Take care, safe travels. Ma.

FollowupID: 702626

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Sep 30, 2010 at 14:16

Thursday, Sep 30, 2010 at 14:16

Hi Pa, Ma & Gus
As they say, third time lucky......Yes that wide spread rain has effected the travel plans of many people that is for sure. Lets hope that next tourist season next years is back to normal travelling conditions and you can finally get to do the SBJ, it is a great drive with great scenery.

I hope that you dropped into Chambers Gorge, as there are some interesting sites in there. I have been told that whole area is now a wash with Sturt Desert Pea and other wild flowers and is one sight to see.

All the Best.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Members Pa & Ma. - Thursday, Sep 30, 2010 at 15:09

Thursday, Sep 30, 2010 at 15:09

Hi Stephen,
It was beautiful rain for the pastorals though. and we got to see the Cooper Creek flooded.
We also helped tow a stranded traveller out from the Coopers crossing.
He'd gone in there 2 & a half weeks prior on the best Birdsville track he'd even seen condition wise in a standard car & caravan.
But it rained and the road was closed. When it reopened we went up to see the Punt working.
The Punt drivers had looked after him well but when the road opened he wanted out of there.
The Punt drivers took him out through the ponded water, then another 4x4 towed him through some slippery mud.
Then we took him through the next lot of mess by keeping to the drier ridges on the side which other people helped clear. Then through unavoidable mess.
He was left on high ground Nth of Lake Harry ruins then as he wanted to stay there anyway, He had had enough for the day I think!
Did you like the design of the Punt crossing" Ladies" at the southern side.!!!!!!! which was for men as well. Gee, you wouldn't have wanted a good feed of curry before hand!!!!!
Take care, safe travels.
Bye, Ma.

FollowupID: 702640

Follow Up By: Sigmund - Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 16:12

Saturday, Oct 02, 2010 at 16:12

The Menindee Lakes are worth a look too. Nearly full for the first time in years. The Cawndilla campsite is better than the Darling sites ATM.

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Follow Up By: Members Pa & Ma. - Sunday, Oct 03, 2010 at 10:48

Sunday, Oct 03, 2010 at 10:48

Hi Sigmund,
Thanks for that,
Our holidays are over & it's back too work, but will take note of it.
Take care, safe travels.
Bye, Ma.

FollowupID: 702840

Reply By: roberttbruce - Saturday, Oct 16, 2010 at 21:27

Saturday, Oct 16, 2010 at 21:27

a scenic flight in a cessna may also be an option - i was looking at some pics a few weeks ago, lost now but a very very spectacular to see it...

AnswerID: 433297

Reply By: troopie78 - Saturday, Oct 16, 2010 at 22:39

Saturday, Oct 16, 2010 at 22:39

We are also seeking to go into Northern NSW then across to SA, wishing to see Lake Eyre and northern Flinders, also in 2 weeks. Looking at the various state road authorities websites (cumbersome) many roads we would have used are closed.

I know its a piece - of - string question, but does anyone out there have experience with how long it takes for roads to reopen after rains like this?

cheers..

AnswerID: 433303