Hay River

Hi All,
Heading out to birsville to do the Hay River Track in a 2 weeks as solo vehicle and wonder what the conditions are like from anybody that has done this recently.I have the permit already.From what i read the track isn't that different to doing a Simpson crossing which i've done a couple of times.Does any body have good camp spots that they want to share.

Thanks Grant
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Reply By: Kanga1 - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 14:48

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 14:48
Hi Grant, hope your Top End trip went well, good luck on the Hay River track, what the chances of you putting some pics or a blog on the site for the trip? Catch you down the track. Best regards, Adriane and Gillian.
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Follow Up By: Member - GRANT HID(NSW) - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 16:02

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 16:02
Hi Adriane and Gillian,
The top end trip was great.After the last time we caught up with you guys at adels we went up to KFC for a few days then headed for home.I read your blogs with interest from the rest of your trip.
I'll get some pics up from this trip,Gracie can't come on this trip so we are going solo this time.
Regards, Grant

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Follow Up By: Kanga1 - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 17:07

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 17:07
Look forward to checking out some pics of your trip Grant, hope you get some helpful info from this post, have a safe trip. Best regards Adriane and Gillian.
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Reply By: RobAck - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 18:54

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 18:54
We took a tour across the Simpson and up the Hay for weeks back now. As regular travellers of the Hay the thing that stands out at the moment is the sheer amount of vegetation. Be prepared to get plenty of bush pinstrips to start with. The run is pretty slow going compared to previous years and that is directly due to the vegetation. Enjoy it as when the lightening arrives it will be burnt back to moving dunes once again

The drive along the bed of the Hay was rather interesting for us as the flooding had made a couple of the exit/entry points into vertical banks but there are still plenty of opportunities to get out as long as you take your time

Enjoy it as you will probably not see it in this condition again

Regards

Rob
AnswerID: 464133

Reply By: glids - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 19:14

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 19:14
I did it with my brother-in-law in 2009, too long ago regards conditions, but I can give you an idea where we camped.

We came from the north, and stayed the first night at:
24deg 05.657' S; 137deg 21.350’ E - make sure you are outside of the aboriginal property
Our second night was at:
25deg 45.873’ S; 137deg 56.852’ E

Both were reasonably open, but good camps. Some timber around for the fire.

Have a good trip.

glids
AnswerID: 464136

Reply By: ian - Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 22:17

Saturday, Sep 03, 2011 at 22:17
Grant,
I did it 2 weeks ago. Strongly recommend south to north as there is a lot of vegetation on the track in places, and it is pushed down by north bound traffic. If you headed south it would hook up on the underside of your car.
Once you leave the Simpson crossing portion, the track is very easy (2 WD?) except for a 14 km East-west section.
We really enjoyed the scenery and the experience (except the mindless talk for the sake of it on CH10 by other vehicles) and camped 5 nights. We drove the river bed rather than the road, and enjoyed it. 10-12 lbs in the tyres and happily rolling along. I think that without the river bed travel (most do not seem to do it) I would have felt a bit cheated as far as 4X4 goes. Finding the exit for the river is a little tricky if you do not know it. I would have no concerns about solo travel. It is an enjoyable and relaxing drive.
Enjoy it.
Ian

AnswerID: 464151

Follow Up By: Member - GRANT HID(NSW) - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 08:18

Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 08:18
Hi Rob,Glids and Ian,
Thanks for your comments about the conditions and camp spots.It sounds like scenery will be different to a dry year crossing which should be great.

Ian what fuel usage did you have for the trip and what vehicle?
Thanks grant
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Follow Up By: RobAck - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 11:00

Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 11:00
Grant a few additional comments

Campsites heading North from Poeppel Well are not easy to find at the moment given the huge amount of regrowth but for a single vehicle you should not have too many problems. Depends on how far you get each day. I can suggest Beachcomber or thereabout as after that the foliage really thickens up. We camped at The Claypan as marked on the waypoints and the entry from South was impossible to find but we just followed the track to the northern end and turned back in. Apart from that as you head into the wide Hay River flood plain the track meanders over and around this wide floodblain and in that area the growth means you need to be careful and as Jol would have said keep a close eye out for spinifex under the vehicle as the fire risk is real

Apart from that we would not recommend anything but 4WD high for the increased traction and to lessen the risk of track damage. Regardless you will need 4WD as the dunes on the East to West leg can be soft at the tops

I also recommend you keep you sandflag on the vehicle until you get to Batton Hill as it certainly helped us spot other vehicles and keep listening to Ch10

Regards

Rob
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Follow Up By: ian - Tuesday, Sep 06, 2011 at 00:08

Tuesday, Sep 06, 2011 at 00:08
Hi Grant
80 series petrol
741 kms and 160 litres. about 22 litres per 100kms. And that is with the large part of 2 days in the soft river bed. Simpson from Birdsville was not too soft and was easy going. Apart from 14 kms, Hay is a road unless you travel in the river. Mate in his troopy did not use much fuel.
You will eat it in your car.
If you want to talk: 0439 255 022
Rgds
Ian
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