The "Wet Centre" by air and road

Thanks Richard. That is useful information. We have researched the options and will book now. I have been told that the Mungeranie Hotel has limited accommodation so that will be a good place to start. We don't expect some of these places to be too flash but that is part of the adventure.

Kevin

Kevin... we did a similar trip late last year.

Stayed at Marree, drove the Birdsville track in a day after a 6am start. Spent two nights in the Birdsville Caravan Park, then went onto Windorah, Longreach, Rockhampton etc.

We booked all our accomodation well in advance and had a basic tent as a fail safe plan. If something went pear shaped, the plan was to unload the gear into the tent for the night and sleep in the back of the Captiva for the night. Thankfully, the tent is still in its original unopened box.

Fab.

Hi Fab. Where did you stay in Marree and how was it. We are coming up from Horsham via the Flinders Ranges to do Skytreck at Willow Springs Station and will also do a side trip to William Creek. Thanks for the idea of a tent as storage. I have to bend my legs to sleep in the Jackaroo but that is better than sleeping in a tent with a plague of mice going by during the night. We had that many years in the Wyperfeld NP in NW Victoria and it is an experience that I don't want to revisit.
Thanks. Kevin

Kevin...
We've stayed in Marree twice.

First time was at the Oasis Caravan Park. Cabins with ensuites. Very small and aged accomodation, yet friendly staff. Great atmosphere around the bonfire. Short 5 minute walk to the Hotel and about a 3 minute walk to the General store.

Second time was at the Marree Hotel. Staff (proprietor) was...umm....let's just say less than helpful. The accomodation cabins were pretty new and clean, however there was a major mix up with our booking. Rather than repeat myself, have a read of the trip report I wrote, as suggested by members of ExplorOz on the below link. My report is the third one down... "Fab1972". Keep in mind, these events are written from personal experience and are opinions held by myself. The end choice is yours.

Marree Hotel review

Have never stayed at the Drovers Rest caravan park, but that's the one we'll be trying next time. I've heard it's basic, but clean and friendly.

FYI...in Birdsville we stayed in ensuite cabins at the Caravan Park...HIGHLY RECOMEND.

In Windorah we stayed at the Hotel/Motel.... clean, modern, and more what you'd expect in a large city than an outback town. Great place to stay!!! And a severly under-rated town.

Fab.

That's good information Fab. Thank you very much.
Kevin

Can definitely recommend the Oasis Caravan Park in Marree, we spent two nights in an ensuite cabin there to freshen up after a fair stint of bush camping a couple of months ago. Park has good facilities and friendly staff.

Marree Hotel was good for a feed and a refreshing ale or three, but I can't comment on the accommodation. I have heard good things about Drovers' Rest, it looked very basic from the road but apparently the owner is pretty good value for a yarn.

If you're looking for any good local knowledge while you're there, Lyall at the general store is the oracle for that part of the world. And he'll talk to you all day if you let him!

Kevin,

I have also stayed in both the Oasis CP and Marree Hotel on other trips and agree with earlier comments.

The Drovers Rest Caravan Park appears to be closed. That info came from the Oasis Caravan Park.
Kevin

Ouch....thanks for the update Kevin.

Looks like it's the Oasis or Lyndhurst for us next time then. I refuse to stay at the Marree Hotel out of principle now. Such a shame because, under different management I'm sure it would be a lucrative and flourishing business all year round and not just when the rains fall at Lake Eyre.

Fab.

The Marree pub is booked out the night we wanted to stay there and so are the cabins at Oasis, so we have to come back from William Creek to the Lyndhurst Hotel for a night before pushing on up the Birdsville Track for a night at Mungeranie Hotel before moving on to a cabin in Birdsville. So it has all come together quite well. We have found everyone to be most helpful with our bookings.
Any chance the Cooper ferry will be in operation by July 14?
Kevin

For what it's worth Kevin, the road from Lyndhurst to Marree is really good. Extensive sections have now been bitumized and if dry, even the dirt sections are an easy 90-100kmph road.

I tried ringing Drovers....yep. The number doesn't work anymore.

Lyndhurst is a great town. The pub has nice meals and also the cheapest fuel in town. Technically speaking, if you drive up to the pub (about 300 metres from the Lyndhurst to Marree road) you can say you travelled on the Strezlecki track too.

Fab.

Been there done that Fab. Last year before we went up the Centre we left the van at Wilpena and went to Arkaroola for a couple of days. We came back via Copley and drove north to see the mines and visit Talc Alf. The real reason for going was that I was determined to do the bottom of the Strzelecki Track. We drove up it to the end of the sealed bit.
Thanks for the info on the road to Marree. One month today we will be at William Creek on out air tour. Then back to Horsham and we head west and north for home via The Track.
Kevin

That's an update from the last time I looked RA and is improved. I just hope the water has not all drained away before we get to fly over it.

Kevin

Hi Kevin

Roads are definitely well maintained, they get so much tourist traffic these days that in good weather they are practically highways. Obviously they get damaged regularly from rain and flooding but the road crews get them fixed up amazingly fast. The Strzelecki Track is a major transport route to the oil and gas fields up in the Qld corner region, so that is kept in especially good shape. Not much fun when you get stuck behind a road train mind you, but the drivers are very conscious of other road users.

Make sure you check road conditions but last time I looked the Strzelecki and Birdsville tracks were in good shape. The Innamincka causeway is still closed so if Innamincka to Birdsville is part of the 'Outback Loop' then you won't be going that way.

Birdsville and Innamincka hotels are owned by the same people as you suggest, and they are typically friendly outback watering holes.

As mentioned in some of the other replies you never know when you may be held up and not be able to get to your booked accommodation, but I wouldn't let that hold you back. Just go for it... and enjoy! It's awesome country.

Thanks Tommo, that confirms what I thought. I talked to the rep from the hotels at the Brisbane 4WD show and he said much the same as you. We are looking forward to this trip. It will be great to see it all from the air and then drive through it.
Kevin

Thanks Bill. I will be talking to the lady in a day or so.

Kevin