Travelling the Birdsville in early December.

The ol' Falcon will probably hold up just fine on the roads (the usual story, as long as it doesn't rain), but are you sure you want to travel alone? Birdsville Track will be a breeze. More rocky at Maree end. Road from Windorah to Birdsville is worse. William Creek to Coober Pedy was a very good dirt road when we did it in August, just a bit narrower in places.

Hi Melinda,
Most of the birdsville track is a reasonable dirt road but from memory the section through sturts stony desert just south of birdsville is pretty rough.This section will be hard on tyres and suspension so should slow down and treat it with respect.I would expect temps around 40c so cooling system would need to be spot on.The trip could go o.k but it is the bad luck things like a serious breakdown,three punctures in an afternoon etc which would make you dependant on others if not self sufficient.The recovery guy in birdsville charges between $2000-$4000 to bring breakdowns back into town for repairs and that is after contact is made(no mobiles out there).You would need to trust your car,be on very good tyres and get an early start to miss the heat of the day to do this trip.Your xf would need to be better than my mates coz i wouldn't go round the block in his.
cheers mark

Melinda,

The best route to take is through Cunnamulla to Bourke which is bitumen all the way. From there you can do a short dirt stretch to Wilcannia(336km) and then stick to the bitumen to Port Augusta and then north to Coober Pedy.

Your proposed route is not a good idea in a standard vehicle in daily 40 degree heat. Travelling at night is also not a good idea between Birdsville and Coober Pedy.

Your Falcon may be in good condition at this point in time but may soon develop troubles on isolated well worn dirt roads with hundreds of kilometres of corrugations. Your tyres may also suffer especially on the roads from Birdsville to Marree and on to William Creek. This time of the year we get summer rains in the Northern areas of South Australia and Central Australia. Only a little rain and the roads will be closed until passable again and you may be stuck in a place you would rather not be stuck in.

I did a night run from Alice Springs last Sunday to Port Augusta and the temperature was 32 degrees until 3am. Then we hit a strong headwind and it was slow going towing a trailer.

Cheers,

Willem

Always going somewhere

Guys guys, please don't argue, a friend of mine suggested that route but bloody hell I have to go miles in the opposite direction of Coober Pedy to get there from Queensland I am currently living near Bundaberg, so I was hoping to do the Birdsville but now I am not sure......

Melinda

HEY MELINDA IF WE CAN"T ARGUE ON THE FORUM THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO GO DOWN TO THE PUB AND WE"VE ALREADY BEEN KICKED OUT OF THERE!!!!

As for your question your Ford is one of the true outback adventurers but weather will definately slow you down sometimes for a long time.... The other factor is how long do you want to keep your car? These roads will definately take their toll and you must realise after a trip like this your suspension will most likely be knackered particularly the shocks.

It will be hot and if it's not it will be wet. In the desert areas it don't rain much but when it does, it tends to come down all at once. It is now mid Nov and we are getting rains now West of Alice Spr which from the weather map also incl your intended areas...... They would have the effect of getting the ground to a saturated point so that when the next set of rains come will cause rivers etc to flow down to the Lake Eyre basin.

I think you would probably make it but it is certainly not a sure bet. Personally I would do it during a less fickle season and increase my odds that way.

Geez Melinda with all that advice I wouldn't be too sure either.

Mate - IF your car's in perfect condition, IF it doesn't rain, IF you've got a spare set of tyres, and IF you don't have too many puctures, yeh you will probably make it.

I understand your sense of adventure very well but please think it through and if you go then put caution ahead of bravado.

Road from Betoota to Birdsville can be very tough on tyres, take it easy. Mungerannie Roadhouse, halfway down the track is a good stopping point if you don't want to go straight through in one day. Even got liquid refreshments. Can pitch your tent or I think they still have room accomodation. Your biggest problem could be the Cooper Crossing just after the Natterannie Sandhills. If there has been rain then the crossing may still be open but only passable in a 4WD. There is a flood detour with a ferry across the Cooper but if the road is open to 4WD's then the ferry probably will not be running. The majority of the track is okay for a car, but you must drive according to the conditions.

Make sure that your cooling system is in absolutely A1 condition. I mean radiator, hoses, header tank, block, head and any thing else that your coolant travels through. Inheat like you will experience at that time of the year, the cooling system will be the first to feel the strain. Cook that and you will cook your engine in no time flat.

Melinda, sounds like you've got a bit of a promise to keep. Fair enough, I understand that. But if you decide to go, at least phone the Police in Birdsville and check the conditions, just before you go and before you get too far.

Hope you can live your dream. Let us know what you do.

Cheers

Ok new plan.....

How about the strzelecki track????????

Perhaps better?????

Regards

Melinda

Hi Melinda
we went through 2 years ago during December and it was HOT!
We were driving a patrol and never had to use 4WD. but the high ground clearance was a definate advantage.
We went Arkaroola - Innaminka - Birdsville - Windorah and then up to Longreach.
There were a few deep fast flowing water crossings after Windorah but that is seasonal.
The roads were tough on the tyres - 3 fractures and 1 puncture. mainly around Innaminka / Dig tree area and Arkaroola.
Your ford would do it but take it easy!!!
Its pretty lonely around Corrilo Downs.