Simpson Desert Crossing

They are going to have a look at Eyre Creek in early May, but don't hold your breath until they open up the bypass track! I'd suspect late June early July before the bypass track opens.

The SA side of the Simpson Desert should open soonish, as soon as the roads get a bit of grader work done on them!

Hi Maws, I think I saw your car and trailer at Kona Waters C/P in Kununurra in 2008 looked like you were with the Broome Tag-a-long mob. Anyhow, re your trip, we leave Perth on 16/4/11 for Laverton and the ABH to Coober Pedy . We wanted to cross the Simpson West to East to Birdsville via Rig Road ( we are towing Campers ) we were due to start the Simpson on the 23/4 . this is not going to happen now. We are still going to Birdsville via the Birdsville or Strezlecki tracks. Don the Ranger I spoke to in Birdsville a few days ago seemed to think it would be OK to drive over to see Big Red from Birdsville, but there is an enormous amount of water coming down Eyre Creek, his opinion was a wait and see approach as to when it would be crossable its Crystal Ball stuff ATM.
We will try to update the track conditions section for the ABH before we leave Coober Pedy, and if we can, before we leave Birdsville I will put a thread up giving the Ranger in Birdsville's observations and opinions regarding the Simpson Desert and Eyre Creek. Have a good trip Maws. Cheers, Kanga.

From the BOM site >>


FLOOD WARNING FOR THE GEORGINA RIVER AND EYRE CREEK
Issued at 10:35 AM on Wednesday the 30th of March 2011
by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane.


Moderate to major flooding is occurring along the Georgina River and Eyre Creek.
A second flood peak is approaching the Marion Downs area.


River levels remain high at Roxborough Downs and at Glenormiston as major
flooding continues to slowly ease. At Marion Downs, major flooding is rising
with levels up to 6 metres expected this week and then remain high for about a
week.

Minor to moderate flooding continues downstream along Eyre Creek between
Bedourie and Glengyle and along King Creek. Further rises are expected this week
with levels at Bedourie likely to rise to 4.75 metres again next week.



Somehow, I think a May crossing is highly unlikely....

;-))

Thanks Kanga,

Yes that would have been us, the Kimberly was fantastic and Broome Tag along did a great job.

We intend to leave Perth 2nd May and head across the Nullarbor to Ceduna, up The Googs and out via Woomera, to William Creek for a flight over Lake Eyre before heading up to Birdsville and head west, home via the Simpson and Anne Beadell.

I have spoken to Ceduna Visitor info cntr and been assured the Googs Track is open and should be the same in six weeks when we need to get through but will check again when we arrive at Ceduna to purchase our camping permit from them. We will watch all the road conditions sites for the trip up to William Creek. Our main concern is if it might be wiser to plan to approach the Simpson from the west and double back when we get to the western bank of the flooded Eyre Creek. We had planned to be at Birdsville on the 12th May to start the crossing but that seems less likely every day.

We have planned six weeks for the trip and can/will change plans as needed but unfortunately we cannot change the start date easily. We have discussed doing the west end to Eyre creek and back again crossing of the Simpson and find it interesting as there is many options (different tracks) so it will not be a true double back, (as back the same way) its the problem of extra fuel we still need to sort out.

All reports I read said don't take trailers over the Simpson, you've seen my set up, we should have been able, but we have decided to do this trip in swags (no camper trailer).

Thank you as well Jeff,

I note you are at Mt Dare, and I seem to remember you suggesting to someone else that doing the crossing from West to east (flooded Eyre creek) and turning back via different track was a good idea, providing the West end was open.

Thanks for your advice.

Steve

Steve, I noticed you in Kunny because yours was the first TL8 4 2 that I had seen, looks good matching the Jeep colour. We will be checking fuel availability and whether or not the Ilkurlka RH will be staffed before we leave Laverton ( a friend had to wait a couple of days there some time ago, the people running the place had left for a funeral, and he needed fuel. ) Anyhow its just a suggestion, they should also be able to give you some idea what the conditions are like, from Ilkurlka to Laverton it is generally a good run. Happy hols. Adriane and Gill.

Kanga,

Camprite have stopped making the TL84-2 as they have so many back orders for the TL8s (the original 4/6 berth) that they have no production time available for the For -two. They make a great trailer and it has, so far (85,000klms) given us no problems and follows the Jeep wherever and over/thru whatever!

We have Ilkurlka RH telephone number to ring before we leave Coober Pedy as that is by far the longest part of our planned trip and the availability of diesel at Ilkurlka RH is important. Each of the vehicles in our small convoy can make up to 1500klms but if no fuel available at Ilkurlka RH we will arrive at Laverton with a smell of an oily rag left. The two 4 cyl diesels are carrying 180ltrs each and the LC200 V8 diesel has over 220 ltrs.

You too have a good trip, might see you out there again.

Steve.

0 4 1 0 E

Cheers
John