Rodinga Ruins to Eringa Ruins via Finke (Apatula) & New Crown

Submitted: Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 07:35

ThreadID: 84910 Views:4409 Replies:4 FollowUps:11

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Member - Paul T (NSW)

Hi Team

I know it is a bit early in the season but would anybody have any idea of track conditions between Rodinga Ruins (NT) and Eringa Ruins via Finke ( Apatula) and New Crown Station?

Even if you have some knowledge of what it was like in the last year or two would be helpful.

Subject to 'normal' conditions and I know conditions may change rapidly with rain, would the trip be able to be done comfortably in one day?

We are planning a trip out that way in July/August this year.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Paul T

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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 08:21

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 08:21

Hi Paul

The track is usually in quite good condition, but there has been a lot of water up that way over the last month or more and has done a lot of damage to the roads in the area. By the time you travel things should be back to normal providing that the area does not receive constant heavy rain.

If you intend to stay at Eringa, which is a good little spot, make sure that you bring in dead timber for a camp fire, as all dead timber has been stripped from the site, with half brained morons even chain sawing green trees to burn!!!

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: Member - Paul T (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 08:35

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 08:35

Stephen

Thanks for the info and the great images.

Yes I was aware of the current rain, hopefully it is dry prior to our trip. Good luck to the guys on the land though, I think they needed the water. Perhaps a little too much now???

Yes unfortunately they give morons licences to drive 4 x 4 vehicles and they are doing a lot of damage to our country.

Perhaps we should push for our pollies to introduce some form of moron testing prior to issuing 4 x 4 licences. Anybody who fails the moron test should be restricted to travel within their own yard/house. They can then pollute/rubbish/vandalise that to their hearts content and leave the rest of us to enjoy an unpolluted/non vandalised country.

I am afraid this is one of my soap boxes as my wife and I see and witness so much damage too our land during our travels. Sorry re the rant and thanks again for the info.

Cheers

Paul T

FollowupID: 720134

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 09:11

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 09:11

Good reply Paul, so true.

You should have a good time. While you are passing, it is worth the small detour from Finke to visit the Lambert Centre.

Have a Great Trip.

Cheers

Stephen

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Follow Up By: mchapo - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 09:18

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 09:18

Thanks Stephen, we are also heading that way soon and your info is always really helpful, thanks for your efforts mate, really appreciated

FollowupID: 720140

Follow Up By: Member - Michael O (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 11:40

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 11:40

Thanks from us too Stephen!

Weather permitting, we'll be out there at the end of June!

FollowupID: 720162

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 14:36

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 14:36

Hi mchapo and Michael

You will have a great time and if it is your first time through the area, there is a vast variety of conditions and scenery to encounter along the way.

Have a great trip

Cheers

Stephen

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Reply By: Ozrover - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 09:41

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 09:41

Paul,

Look on the roads conditions report.

I update the local roads report regularly, at the moment the Old Ghan is closed as is the road through Eringa Waterhole to Hamilton Station, there is a huge amount of damage to this "road" & we have no idea when the SA roads will be able to fix it.

The road from Kulgera to Fink in Ok as is the road to New Crown, from New Crown to Mt Dare it's pretty rough, but will be graded soon.

Normally all these roads vary from good to terrible, depends on the weather & the amount of traffic that they get.

AnswerID: 447835

Reply By: Members Pa & Ma. - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 15:15

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 15:15

Hi Paul,
This is a great trip. Eringa waterhole is magic, provided it's not raining.Stay there for at least one night. It was one of Sydney Kidmans' favourite stations and the first one he owned on his own.
We don't think you would make it in one day & why would you want too?
We camped 2 or three nights. I'm trying to remember back 4 or 5 yrs. I think it was Bundoora with a big Steel water tower surrounded by lots of places to camp, great spot, with beautiful Desert Oaks
Take in your own firewood as already said.There is very soft sand in the Finke River crossing and some of the track is on the actual raised section where the train line was.
The track for the Simpson desert bike race goes along part of it. We sort of weaved our way between the better parts of each.
When you get to Alice, visit the old Heritage train station , you could camp there if you want to volunteer to lend a hand for a day or 2 or a month. when we visited.
Both Finke & The Heritage train station should be able to update the current road conditions for you.Contact the Ranger at Finke before you're due to arrive.
Enjoy.
Take care , safe travels. Ma.

AnswerID: 447860

Follow Up By: Ozrover - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 16:46

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 16:46

No Ranger at Finke (Apatula)! Aboriginal community with basic services.

FollowupID: 720202

Follow Up By: Members Pa & Ma. - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 17:45

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 17:45

Hi Ozrover,
Thanks for letting Paul know. It was a fair while ago when we did the Old Ghan trip. I've been looking in my travel journals and was going to put some pics up & our contacts. I've found the pics but not the part in the journal.What's it like out your way now?.
Take care, safe travels Ma.

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Follow Up By: Member - Barry P (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 19:25

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 19:25

remember finke is a dry town no grog signs up everywhere you can be fined ;dont know how the guys that do the finke desert race get on for a drink for their overnight stop ;the sign says even too have grog in your vehicle when passing through you can be fined ;any ideas on all this thanks barry

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Follow Up By: Ozrover - Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 19:28

Thursday, Mar 10, 2011 at 19:28

Barry,

For the Finke Desert Race they have a "wet" area in the campground for that weekend only.

Locals bringing in drugs is a bigger problem at the moment.

FollowupID: 720213