The Cooper - I think I just wanna be there.

lancie49

10 days is enough but the longer the better , you can get there in 3 easy days drive. I've driven Birdsville to Melb in 2 days but wouldn't recommend that.

Helicopter flight was $75 or $85 for 15 mins but apparently well worth while to get an over view of the area.
Ferry is free.
Sleeping in the vehicle will be fine just rug up if really cold.
Should be low to mid 20's by then consistently or maybe at Birdsville low 30

cheers and do it

"What do I need...."
You clearly need a map to start with ;-)
10 days is just enough time to briefly see the highlights. 15 would allow a more relaxed trip or even come back via Innamincka.
Cheers Craig..............

If you want to go just do it. We've headed up for a few days just to check out the water, if you only have ten days that will do.
MM

Hi Lancie49

I am in the process of doing a blog on what to see along the Birdsville Track, as there is a far lot more to see than what is stated on the Trek File here on EO. What I can tell you is we have driven it countless times over the years, under every possible track conditions and the drive at the moment is in very good condition.

If you can, take longer as there is a very lot to see along the way. As for the ferry site, you will not need any GPS waypoint, as it is very easy to find and keep following the detour sign. Having said that, make sure that you go past the detour sign and head up for a look at the Brennan Memorial which is a very comfortable 10 minute drive past the detour sign.

When we were there for our second time just last week, the first being June last year, we took both the Helicopter flight and the cruise with Peter. Both are highly recommended and give you two different views of the area. The base flight is around 20 minutes and is $85 per person. This was our first time in a helicopter and we were hooked, and we then took the longer $170 flight per person out to the Bethesda Lutheran Mission ruins on our return visit from Birdsville which is around one hour, and includes landing at the ruins and having a look around. The cost of the cruise with Peter is $50 per person and take around one and a half hours.

If you have been following my stories here on EO, you will know that this has been my pet project over the last 20 months.

One thing is for sure, even from a local perspective that this could be the last year for a very long time before the ferry may run again. On average over the last couple of ferry operations, it has been in operation around every 20 years, but the record for no water up that way is 33 years.

The weather will be hot during the days and mild at night in around a months time. The biggest safety factor when up there then is keep an eye on where you put your feet, as there are a good number of snakes around at the moment because of all the rodent problems.

I could rave on for longer, but just do it and you will be greatly rewarded.



Cheers


Stephen

yep do it! We went there with our kayaks a few months ago and paddled across the lake and pulled up right on the Birdsville track. Amazing to be standing there with life jackets on! Also paddled for a day up the creek, just goes on forever. Felt like we could have paddled for months.

Recommend the chopper flight also (price in other reply). Not cheap but not every day you see the Cooper in flood. We didn't do the boat tour as we had kayaks but I would suggest doing that also to get a different perspective (don't know cost). He goes up the creek and also out onto the lake.

Camping was great but I hear the rats/mice are there now??

10 days from Melbourne would be fine. Not much to see on the way up so worth having a few big days to spend as much time as possible on the 'creek'.

No amenities so will need fridge and all the usual stuff.

Take the yabbie nets also. We didn't but would be interesting to hear from others if they are around; I'd be surprised if they weren't.

Enjoy, I'd get back there tomorrow.

The southern bank of the Cooper at the ferry is at S28.58262 E138.81561, unless they have shifted it since last year. The northern bank is at S28.58026 E138.81456.

Bruce M

I told the boss at work today I was taking more time of and gosh, wasn't he excited about that. Well, no, he wasn't actually, but as I said to him in a word of 1 syllable, "tuff". I'll work in with him to schedule others to cover for me and go when it suits us both so there's no real hassle.

Anyway, probably mid Sept at this stage and I'm a little buzzed about it all.

Amazing info from you ppl here. Thank you.
It helps get me on track (pun) and makes the wife feel a bit better in that I might be able to do the trip without injury to me or vehicle.

Bewdy, I've got the second week of October organised for the Coopers Creek trip.
Leaving Melb Friday night, arrive @ CC sometime Monday.
Looking to spend 2-3 days in the CC area.
Head for home Thursday.
Back home Sunday.

Couple of questions please chaps.
I'm planning on spending those 2-3 days in CC tripping about and havin a look.
Dumb question HUH, I have no idea as yet what it's like in those areas, how do I get about from one spot to another, drive or on foot ?
If I'm driving about, where is the nearest Diesel ?

What are the chances of more dumb questions from me ?
Good I would think..................:-)