Maryvale Road/Hugh River Stock Route

Gday,
There is a track that leads East from Rainbow Valley to the railway line, then South down the line to Idracowra Station (crossing the Maryvale road). Ive been that way as a short cut to Chambers Pillar.
Saying that...........you travel through Aboriginal Land/ Railway corridor/ and private property so you should get permission.

Cheers

Hi George,

We travelled this road mid 09 with no problems at all - its a good condition gravel road. Though after this years rain the creek crossings may be a bit more washed out. We looked for a track to get us into Rainbow Valley - there did seem to be a track leading off from the railway crossing but the signs were a definite deterrent so we did not try it.

Cheers,

Val

JRoad is good. Just take care not to get lost as you cross the railway line.... :-)Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

Hi George

Providing that the area has not been wet, all those tourist roads are usually in good condition and you should have no problems at all. The Hugh River Stock Route is a good drive and well signposted from the Maryvale Road.

If coming up from Finke, then go to Chamber Pillar first, then head noth to Alice Springs. You will then come to the Hugh River Stock Route Road, then follow that. To keep the peace with the Station people, do the right thing and head for the Stuart Highway and then go into Rainbow Valley from there, the extra distance will not take that more time, and all above board.

While you are right in the area, have to thought of doing the Owen Springs Road as well, as it is well worth the drive seeing you will be driving straight past?

Cheers

Stephen

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The back road into Rainbow Valley is on private property, with warning signs to tell you to keep out. It follows the railway line north for about 7ks then cross the line and head west to Rainbow Valley. I went that way 8 years ago when there were no signposts from the eastern end. Did the Hugh River Stock Route again this year - easy drive.

There is a nice waterhole just to the west of the railway line crossing.

Hi each

Thanks very much for the comments/help - I've got all that in the Garmin now-we'll take the Owen Springs route into Alice then back to Finke taking side trips off down Huge River Stock Route and Chambers Pillar - will leave Rainbow Valley for anothe time.

George
1998 Triton [green] + tent.

Hi George

We returned from Chambers Pillar via the Hugh Stock Road in 2008, with our caravan. No problems, just needed to be aware and slow down for some creekline dips (a bit washed out) on the least maintained section, but really an easy drive. The track into Chambers Pillar was the worst road of the drives; sandy patches not far from Maryvale Station, and some sections further in rather corrugated.

We understood access to Rainbow Valley was from the Stuart Highway only. I saw no evidence of tacks approaching this colourful feature from any other direction when there.

We took the Owen Springs drive without our caravan, and were glad, as the sand crossing the river bed would have been hard going.

The Henbury Meteorite impact craters not far along the Ernest Giles Road may also be of interest to you.