Final Birdsville Track Ferry figures.

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011 at 23:26

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Member - Stephen L (Clare SA)

Hi All

I have received tonight the final figures for the Birdsville Track Ferry. I have also made another quick blog so these figures do not get lost in time, as well as a few pictures for those that were unable to get there and see the ferry in operation.

Once again, EO viewer are the very first to see these details, which will no doubt filter through to the general media over the coming weeks.

Here they are:

These are now the Full Official Cooper Creek Ferry details from when the ferry first went into operation on the 8th June 2010, up until when it ceased operation on Friday 21st January 2011.

• Total number of Four Wheel Drive Vehicles..5336
• Total number of cars..124
• Total number of Buses..517
• Total number of Motor Bikes..197
• Grand Total of All Vehicles..6174
• Total number of Adults to accompany a vehicle..17143
• Total number of children to accompany a vehicle..1758
• Grand Total of passengers to accompany a vehicle..18901
• Total crossings from the north carrying a vehicle..3147
• Total crossings from the south carrying a vehicle..3255
• Total empty crossing with no vehicles..2564
• Total number of people crossing not accompanying a vehicle..862
• The largest number of vehicles ferried in 1 day..98 on the 1st September 2010
• Total number of days closed to inclement weather..32.8
• The 10,000th person to cross was on the 18th August 2010
• The 15,000th person to cross was on the 12th October 2010
• The 5,000th vehicle to cross was on the 18th October 2010

I now would like to personally thank Juanita Roe, Field Logistics Officer for the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, Northern and Western Region, Port Augusta who has greatly supplied me with the latest details over the previous months and without her most valued help, none of the reports would have been made possible.

I will be receiving a ferry upgrade update this week and will post this when the details become available. The upgrade will enable vehicle to take camper trailers over when the next body of water arrives.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: V8 Troopie - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 00:45

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 00:45

Interesting statistics but, having never been at that location, one statistic aroused my curiosity:

"• Total number of people crossing not accompanying a vehicle..862 "

How did these people get to that remote location?

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Follow Up By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 03:09

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 03:09

Hi V8 Troopie, I understand that statistic very well as Hubby and I made up two of that number. We travelled all the way from Perth just to have a ride on that particular Ferry, on the day we arrived there were a lot of thunderstorms around and the wind was getting quite strong. Our plan was to go over the Ferry, take a run up to Mungarannie for lunch and then return and come back over the ferry, however due to the winds the operators stated that they could take the vehicle across at that time but there were no guarantees of the weather holding up when we got back from lunch. When they heard that we had travelled the distance we had they took just us over without the vehicle, we got off the other side, took some photos and got back on and had another ride back to our vehicle.
Our friends from Yorke Penininsula did the same thing earlier in the year, they didn't want to go any further, they only wanted to have a ride on the ferry so went on without their vehicle, saved time and let someone else on.
Hope that clears that point up for you. If not Stephen will be able to explain it better.

Cheers

D

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 07:48

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 07:48

V8 Troopie

Deanna has made it very clear of how that number is achieved. Many people would park their vehicle and go over for a ride, just like Deanna without their vehicle.

In my latest blog on this, you will see one of the last pictures there with my wife Fiona. Ian and Ruth from Queensland walked on the ferry and we had our final farewells on the ferry, before they made a return ride back to their camp. So that alone you can count 4 unattended passengers.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: V8 Troopie - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 01:41

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 01:41

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity, the explanation is quite simple and logical, just could not figure it out myself.
Another curious question: what happens to the ferry when the Cooper is dry? Do they truck it out or leave it parked somewhere near on the sand?

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 09:09

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 09:09

Hi V8 Troopie

When the ferry is not used, its home is on cement blocks on the northern side of the ferry crossing. Here is a picture of Nathan from Etadunna Station showing its usual position.

Cheers

StephenImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found

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Follow Up By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 08:43

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 08:43

Stephen,
After you left I went over and back a few times when taking smoko or lunch to the boys
Why......because I could and I love being on the water. By golly, it was chilly tho.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 09:18

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 09:18

Hi Ruth

That was great of you for doing that and I bet the boys really appreciated that. As we know, those early days of the ferry running and those poor guys were well and truly earning every dollar, with like you know no lunch breaks or smokos and working around the clock.

Ian's not tempted yet to go down and help Jason with the fishing, he would be in his element.

All the best

Stephen and Fiona

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Reply By: 3gobush - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 01:35

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 01:35

This post has been read by the moderation team and has been moderated due to a breach of The Trolling Rule

.

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Reply By: Member - Mawso (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 02:36

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 02:36

Thanks Stephen,

PS...... I give a toss.

Steve M.

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Follow Up By: Nev (TAS) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 07:15

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 07:15

Thanks Stephen,
I also DO give a toss and have followed your reports with interest. Well done and thanks.
Nev

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Follow Up By: Member - Terry (SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 07:34

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 07:34

Thanks Stephen,

For your time and effort in supplying these statistics. They have been very interesting for an event that may not happen again for a long time.

And yes I also give a toss !!!!

Cheers
Terry

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 07:56

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 07:56

Hi Steve, Nev and Terry

When I first took an interest in it last year,there were mixed reactions from various parties as to weather the ferry would ever be need, and well the rest is now history. I have found it very interesting and the figures speak for themselves.

The next wait will be if there is a Mark 11 and the running again this year?

Thanks and glad you have enjoyed the details.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 02:59

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 02:59

Thanks Stephen for those statistics also a big thanks to Juanita Roe for her assistance.

Cheers

D

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Follow Up By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 06:35

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 06:35

From me as well Stephen. It has been interesting reading. Thanks, Bob

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 08:01

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 08:01

Hi Deanna and Bob

Thanks for that also and like you have said, without Juanita's help these details would not have been possible.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:42

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:42

hi stephen L
a big thank you from me as well
you and jauanita have put considerable effort into letting us all share in this event and it's amazing how an event caused by extreme weather has drawn so many people so far into the red center to witness it in all it's glory unfortunatly i didn't make it

and thank you also for all the photos that has truly given a birds eye view of the happening surrounding it from day one of the floods to the closure

i'm also amazed that the authorities are actually going to set to and upgrade the ferry in size so it can then carry a longer combination of vehicles

when they could just choose to say oh! well its done the job and why spend money on something that might not get used for another 10/15/20 years and then again could be needed in a month or two ,
who knows?

i didnt notice in the figures anything about fees collected for the use of the ferry so this appears to be a free service except for the some what expensive journeys taken by some to do the crossing
cheers and many thanks again

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Follow Up By: Member - nrb1748 (VIC) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 10:39

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 10:39

Stephen L,

Thanks from me as well. The information you provided was greatly appreciated and I too made the trip to the ferry. I rode across and back again without my vehicle just because it was something I had to do!!

nrb1748

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 14:10

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 14:10

Hi mazcan and nrb1748

Thank you for enjoying the updates, it has been fun doing it.

As for fees, as it was run by Transport SA, the use of a ferry, either along the Murray in SA or in the outback, there is no charge and travel is free.

I will post the latest updates regarding the ferry upgrade when I receive them which will be of great help for people with campers etc.

I intend to head back again when the water flood arrive again and to see the upgraded ferry.

Once again thanks for your replies.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Ruffy-Dan - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 08:45

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 08:45

Great info, Thanks Stephen.

Was also curious on the 862 passengers, so thank you for the response to that as well..

Dan

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:06

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:06

Hi Dan

I am glad that you have enjoyed the updates. They have carried on for a long time but it has been interesting to see the numbers grow over the months.

I personally believe that if we never had the constant wet weather that we had up there last year, the numbers would have been far greater, as I personally tried to get back 2 other times and could not because of wet weather and closed roads.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 11:07

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 11:07

You're not wrong there Stephen, as you are aware that the group of us that went to Birdsville races couldn't get down there and had to go home via Kununurra, we were three vehicles then, however when we went back there was only Hubby and I. So there was a couple more vehicles and few more people that couldn't get there.

Cheers

D

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 20:58

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 20:58

Hi Deanna

I have made a mention on one of my replies that had to make a second trip over to see the ferry. You will have to put a few pictures up.

It was great to hear that you were able to see it the second time..well done.

Regards

Stephen

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Reply By: Member - cuffs (SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 08:52

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 08:52

HI Stephen

Without regular posts like yours and others this site becomes boring with people just asking the same questions, without doing a search.

Your updates & blogs keep the site alive.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:10

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:10

Hi Cuffs

Not all people have the same thoughts as you, as one post above clearly stated. I have found it great personally and I am glad that you enjoyed the details.

We will now have to see if and when the ferry gets back into operation again this year.

Thanks again.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: firesafe - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:41

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:41

Having contributed to be part of the Stats in July last year, it has been interesting to read how many went before us and after us. Thanks for the read.

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Follow Up By: Dusty & Bumpy - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:57

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:57

Yes it was a great experience crossing on the ferry. To see the Cooper so dry and then see it like this - fantastic.
Thanks Stephen for the stats and your interest - great effort, great stuff.
David

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 14:03

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 14:03

Hi David and firesafe

Firstly David thanks for that and it is great to see the Cooper the way you have, and as you will know, words can dot describe the site of all that water for as far as the eye can see, it was just mind blowing.

Thanks for your reply.

Hi Fireafe.

Here are the stats for July and as you can see, there was a lot of traffic since then.

For June 2010

673 four wheel drive vehicles
27 cars
12 buses
28 motor bikes
2143 adults in vehicles
124 children in vehicles
409 north crossings
377 south crossings
239 empty crossings
77 people crossed with no vehicle
29th June busiest day with 58 vehicles crossing

For July when you went

1341 four wheel drive vehicles
30 cars
62 buses
84 motor bikes
4585 adults in vehicles
616 children in vehicles
728 north crossings
770 south crossings
447 empty crossings
161 people crossed with no vehicle
6th July busiest day with 76 vehicles crossing

I hope this helps you out

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Member - Geoff M (VIC) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:55

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 09:55

Thanks Stephen for your regular reports and posts - you inspired us to change our holiday plans to fit in a trip across the ferry.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 14:19

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 14:19

Hi Geoff

I am glad you enjoyed the information updates and great to see you ventured there to witness first hand what all the fuss was about.

Many people travelled from all parts of Australia and I know that Deanna (EO Member) went there twice from WA, the first time forced back by wet weather and then making a return trip later in the year just to see the ferry, which was great to hear.

Thanks for your reply

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Pushy - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 11:51

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 11:51

Stephen,

Another thank you for all your efforts. Just another example of how extreme our beautiful country can be.

Hopefully there will be enough water coming down the Cooper in late April so that the ferry will be operational again.

If it does not rain anymore (hopefully for us) then it will really be a contrast in the desert.

Once again thank you.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 19:09

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 19:09

Hi Pushy

I have been slack lately I must admit and I have not spoken with Patsy or Jason for a few weeks now about the next body of water coming down the Cooper. The last time that I spoke with Jason, he gave me the same reply that I received from the DTEI and that is going to be a hard call.

From all accounts it should run again and there were talks of running till around October, but like they all say, it is a long way off yet and will be a big waiting game.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Member - John & Sally W (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 12:21

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 12:21

Hi Stephen,
Thanks for all the updates. As soon as the rain started falling and there was a possibility that the ferry would be running, we started making plans to go out and see it. Co-incidentally we were there the day Dick Smith choppered in and "took" the ferry across.
Our names might not go down in history but the numbers that we made up will.
Cheers,
Sally

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 19:17

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 19:17

Hi Sally

It is great to hear that you made the effort and travel to see one of natures great events. To be there when Dick Smith was there would have been great and it would have been great having a chat with him. I can tell you that we have travelled the Birdsville Track many time over the years, from perfect condition and some not so very good conditions. I hold a speed record from Marree to Mungeranie... not what you think. As you would be aware it is usually a comfortable 3 hour trip, but one time in the rain it took 8 1/2 hours and I will never want to be there in conditions like that again.

All the best and see what this year brings.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Member - Warrie (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 21:48

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 21:48

Hi J and S, here's a few pix of June 30th at the Ferry/Punt.Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found
It was just time and chance that we went up from Maree on that day. He was going for the practical component of his ferrymasters ticket. I mentioned that we were next in the queue to go on the ferry and that he would be taking it across. He quipped - I hope you 've got insurance!! As it turned out he kept talking so we went over with the regular pilot. The ferry returned and then he took it over but with no vehicle - after all it was his first drive!............W

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 22:26

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 22:26

Hi Warrie

That would have been great to be there then. Another good thing, I notice that you were the only car waiting on the southern side. Did Dick offer you the chance to see the Cooper from the air...LOL

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Fab72 - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 12:55

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 12:55

Stephen,
It was through your posts and updates regarding the running of the ferry and the general rise and fall of the Cooper that generated the interest for us to go up there for a look.

Doing the Birdsville Track was always on our "one day" list, but this past year's events pushed that up the priority list. The kids all have memories that will no doubt last a lifetime. Not often you can say that you went fishing in the heart of Australia's outback.

I genuinely appreciate the time you have devoted to this project. Cheers.

Fab.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 19:28

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 19:28

Hi Fab

Thanks for the kind words. Our only regret was that we could not spend longer up there. Your children would have had a ball and what a better place to take them fishing and camping. Jason is personally hoping that the next body of water does not arrive, even though he knows that it will, as they are fishing out on Lake Hope for the commercial markets. Part of the Government regulations is that they can only fish when there is no water entering the Lake.

Jason said they are a good size out on the Lake and perfect for the markets, yet the fish that are at the ferry site at the moment are in very good numbers, but for some reason still quite small.

Thanks for your reply.

Cheers

Stephen

ps If the weekend papers are late now, we know who to blame....LOL

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Follow Up By: Fab72 - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 12:30

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 12:30

Thanks for the fishing update.
Got the PS too. :)

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Reply By: Member - Jeff P (SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 17:48

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 17:48

Let me add our thanks and appreciation for what you have done via this forum to keep us informed with accurate information about this uniquely Australian adventure. Your posts allowed us to plan the trip for my 86 year old mother in law in late November last year and she is still talking about it. It may well be a once in a lifetime adventure and accurate information freely offered is to be treasured.

Again thank you for great effort.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 20:09

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 20:09

Hi Jeff

The best part of the information that I supplied was from first hand on the spot information and not heard third or forth hand and not knowing how accurate the information was.

It was great to hear that your mother in law had a great trip and I can assure you that she is not the only person still talking about it.

I appreciate your valued reply. Now we all have to wait for the second flow to arrive and the ferry back in full action. Another great thing with the ferry upgrade is that people will no be able to take their campers and trailers over for free and not have to pay $50 like before.

Once again, thanks for taking the time to reply.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 02:32

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 02:32

Hi Jeff P, as Stephen said, your grandmother is not the only one still talking about it, My Hubby tells every one who will listen that I made him drive over 3,000 klms just for a ferry ride. LOL. He always leaves out the bit that he wanted to take me, it was his suggestion in the first place, and that he enjoyed it just as much.
I will admit that it was one of Stephens posts that he put up one night in Nov that it was thought at the time the ferry would only be running for another six weeks which was the catalyst for our second trip. See your fault Stephen LOL

Cheers

D

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 14:22

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 14:22

Hi Deanna

The only plea that I will enter is "Guilty as Charged"

but like you said, it was worth it.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Member - Rod D (VIC) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 18:35

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 18:35

Thanks Stephen for all your posts on the ferry

It was your original posts about the flooding and the possibility of the ferry running that gave me and my brother the idea to take a trip to have a look.

Was a mad idea at the time, too many miles in too short a time, but didnt know if it would still be running next time we had a chance to get away.

But glad we done it.

Rod

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 20:15

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 20:15

Hi Rod

Thanks for the reply. If I have the right person, were you the chap from Bendigo or Ballarat?? that was at the ferry site the same time that I was there. If it was, you should have come and camped with Fiona and I and Ian and Ruth from Queensland.

Like you it is a long way but well worth the time and effort to get there, as like you know, if you waited until right now, then you would have missed out.

Thanks for the reply.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 19:54

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 19:54

Stephen,
Once again, many thanks for your posts. I certainly appreciate the effort you put into this, as well as other posts of yours. As you might remember, we diverted our route in July last year to drive up the Track to see the ferry. I had to convince our travelling partners that this would be worthwhile, and your posts and pics etc made that possible. I wouldn't have missed seeing that ferry for all the coffee in Brazil!! Ok... so it's a ferry ... big deal, but it's a ferry in the outback!!! That's the point..... or the "toss", if you like. Obviously, a "once-or-twice-in-a-lifetime" event like this needs to be seen.... just to be part of it!

I'd "give-a-toss" to see it all over again!

Again, many thanks for all your input on this site Stephen. With any luck, we might meet up one day and I'll shout you a cold one!!

Cheers

Brian

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 20:25

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 20:25

Hi Brian

Thanks for those great words. I know that from my posts, many people like you, did take the time out to see the ferry and from everyone that I know that went there, everyone said the same thing, what a great time they had and it is still to hard to comprehend all that water that was out there over the world famous Birdsville Track.

Lets hope that when it runs again this year, we do not have the rain up there like we did last year, and if that is the case, many more thousands of tourists and outback travellers will get to experience a very rare event on the Birdsville Track.

Once again, thanks for those king word and it was great to help out all those that wanted to see this great natural event.

Regards..

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Member - peter f (VIC) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 21:04

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 21:04

well spoken Brian , I agree , thanks to Stephen for the updates , I for one am glad my group of mates decided to make the effort ,our tiny little pieceof history . may never see that again . cross that off the bucket list ,
mechpete

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 21:27

Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 at 21:27

Hi Pete

Great to hear that you also had a great time at the ferry site. Just being there was part of the atmosphere and I have never heard a bad comment from anyone that did make the trip.

Another great point that I am pleased to point out, was when I asked Jason about people doing the right thing up there on the Cooper, he said that everyone respected the area and he was very surprise that with all the thousands of people that camped there, there were no real messes to clean up and every did the right thing.

On another great note, you might have to make a return trip to see Lake Eyre. They had an expert on the radio the other days saying that will all the rain and water up that way, there was a great chance that the water levels on Lake Eyre may be similar to that of 1974. If that is the case, then the Birdsville Track may be very busy again.

Thank for your reply.

Cheers

Stephen.

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Follow Up By: Teraa - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 20:27

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 20:27

Don't know were they are getting that from if it was '74 then where I live would be under water and it is dry as a bone the Warburton Creek is currently ankle deep and not running and not much expected. Even the Cooper system needs more water. Check new on BOM Western rivers of QLD. Not to wish anymore floods in QLD but that would be what it would take or heaps of on ground rain which is always on the card but definitly not here. I take all the media crap as those who are trying to pep up the tourism in the region which isn't bad but people aren't very happy when they get here and it's not here.
Nice job on the figures imagine how many if the trailer thing was on last year. On the local side of things more traffic isn't really helpful but what can u do.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 21:00

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 21:00

Hi Tess

Thanks for the reply. We have been told to batten down the hatches tonight as they say we could get 50 - 80 mm of rain and there is going to be some very big dumps in the upper parts of the state.

The figures were very interesting and we will have to see what this year brings.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Teraa - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 21:25

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 21:25

Yeah u have some great falls down your way, dry as up here. North of the ferry only got 20 odd mm through Yasi didn't even close the track to Birdsviile.
They say for us 5 - 10mm for Sun., that cyclone looked interesting when it was near Broome but it's dropped a bit lower so it might miss us as well.
The Warburton needs alot of water still to get poping but we still have March.
Long range forecast has changed and it not showing any further signs of large rainfall in April.
That trickle coming out of the groove on the Lake Eyre yacht club page is on ground rain, wind and a bit of a rise we had a couple of weeks ago. Evaporation is fairly harsh we had 1 & 1/2m rise and it was gone in 5 days and then Yasi wind pushed the rest of it too the Lake. About 20km from the mouth of the Warburton and Lake there was about 100 - 150mm of rain it really needed it out there. The poor buggers at MT Dare must have been under the same cloud we will all have to go and have a beer this year to support them.

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Reply By: Richard W (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 07:04

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 07:04

Stephen,

Thanks for the info.
It was certainly well used.

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 09:11

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 09:11

Hi Richard

Thanks for that. The reason why I started the details all those months ago was to help people out and to kindle their interest in the ferry.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Member - Warrie (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 10:10

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 10:10

As to whether the ferry will run again in 2011 and Lake Eyre reach the 1974 level of 5.7 metres deep are the $64 questions. The only site which has regular updates is the Lake Eyre Yacht Club with only 2 m or so being expected. But it's a strong La Nina and March and April may deliver the needed huge downpour in the Cooper and Diamantina catchments. Floods along the Oodnadatta track on Feb 6th are now entering the lake and are well shown on the LEYC site and by Wrightsair.......W

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 21:03

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 21:03

Hi Warrie

The guy on the radio said that this year could be shaping up to similar or more rain than last year. As you say it is still very early yet and it is going to be a big waiting game.

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Member - Warrie (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 21:31

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 21:31

Gidday Stephen. This time last year the Cooper flood was approaching Innamincka where it reached 11 metres on the 16th March and still took 3 more months to reach the Birdsville Tk. At present it's about 4.6 m with the causeway 2.7m under.This equals 31GL/day which of itself is a significant flow, but pales compared to the 330GL last March 16th!! Most of this is going into Coongie Lakes as they are evaporating rapidly in the hot conditions.
One could say that the system is well primed for any future flow in from Qld but at the moment nothing in the way of substantial rain has fallen in the upper Cooper for 2 months. IMO the flow at Innamincka is just about at its peak and won't crack 6m before it falls away.
As for Mr Smith there was no flight in the chopper for us. But he was probably happy to be away from CASA and the bureaucracy. In uncontrolled airspace Dick would be in his element......W

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Reply By: Member - GREENDOG - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 22:06

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 22:06

Thanks Stephen for your time and commitment on posting all the details in the past months and it was great to be up there to see the cooper in flood, we had a fantastic time.cheers GD

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 22:12

Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 22:12

Hi Pete

Thanks for that. I also did a blog for the final details and you feature, standing by the sign.

Cheers

Stephen

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Final Birdsville Track Ferry figures.

Member - Stephen L (Clare SA)

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Follow Up By: Teraa - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 21:25

Reply By: Richard W (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 07:04

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 21:03

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Reply By: Member - GREENDOG - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 22:06

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Feb 17, 2011 at 22:12

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