William Creek

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 14:38

ThreadID: 89770 Views:3835 Replies:6 FollowUps:7

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Oodnadatta Track

If you’re a history buff you’re going to go nuts crossing the Oodnadatta Track. The track follows the orignal Ghan line from Marla to Oodnadatta and then on to Marree. There's stacks of ruins,

Oodnadatta Track

Section: Treks

If you're a history buff you're going to go nuts crossing the Oodnadatta Track. The track follows the original Ghan line from Marree to Oodnadatta. There's stacks of ruins, mound springs,

OzTroopie

Hi all,

Just wondering what people's experience have been visiting/ staying at William Creek. The place certainly has character about it, namely the pub and all the decorations which adorn its walls. I've been there several times.

I recently took a group of friends up to Lake Eyre over the October Long weekend. It was a fantastic trip, though there was some negative feedback regarding the campground at William Creek - namely the stained walls in the atco showers (a result of the minerals from the GAB water) - this they could understand, what wasn't so good was the other filth in the showers hair/mould/etc, lights not working.

Just wondering if this was an isolated incident, or if others have had similar experiences. At a time the town is doing booming business due to the filling of Lake Eyre for the past three years (apparently they have 15 pilots working out of the town atm), perhaps a bit more could be put in to maintaining the facilities (expecially if there's money to be installing new cabins). Happy to pay a premium for services (e.g. fuel, food, accom) delivered in a remote area, but not so happy when the services are unclean.... an leave people with a bad impression of the place.

In comparison, we also stayed at Coward Springs Campground, which was fantastic. I heard nothing but good feedback - the owners do a great job at maintaining this place.

Nick

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Reply By: Member - John - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 15:48

Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 15:48

Have you tried the caravan park across the road, presuming it is still open? Was a great place, cheaper beer, clean showers, better meals and friendly............

Hope it is still open, plan to visit up that way again...... if not, will stay at Coward Springs.

John and Jan

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Follow Up By: gordon_adel - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 16:07

Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 16:07

The caravan across the pub is all owned by the same people. You even pay your fees at the pub.

Last time I went there...was a bit groty too. To me, it's more like a place you'd only stop overnight. Certainly would go back again but would never stay there more than one night.

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Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 17:27

Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 17:27

We stayed there one night in early July this year as part of a Wrights Air 3 day tour. The amenities are a bit rough but I have seen worse. They were reasonably clean when we were there. Pub prices were not bad and the food was good. Some en suit cabins should have been available for our tour but they are running behind schedule. We received an apology.
I think the pub owners consider it to be a money factory. I can't think of any other reason to live there. Perhaps unhappy customers should address their complaints to the owner rather than to a forum.
Kevin

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Reply By: Crackles - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 18:14

Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 18:14

The cleanliness (or not) of the facilities at any moment would vary with who was in there before you & the backpacker who happened to clean them that day. When I come accross poor facilities or high prices for that matter in remote areas, I stop & consider for a moment where I am, lower my expectations a little & think myself lucky they are providing any sort of service in the middle of nowhere at all.
Next time possibly wear some thongs & take a torch, probem solved ;-)
Cheers Craig.............

AnswerID: 468653

Follow Up By: howesy - Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 00:18

Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 00:18

people are spoilt by modern times, when i was a kid it was standard practice in any shared facilities to wear thongs and if you got accommodation without bed bugs u scored well

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Reply By: muffin man - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 18:28

Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 18:28

If your'e after white towell's and slippers the outback is not the place. A few stains have never hurt anyone and it must be a nightmare trying to keep those places clean with all the red dust etc.
MM

AnswerID: 468654

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 20:04

Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 20:04

I may be quite wrong but it may depend on who services the camping ground.
When the Dingo Cafe was open, I think the proprieters of the Cafe looked after the facilities in the caravan park behind them.
I also was of the belief that Trevor Wright has (or had) some tie up with the camping area. I know he (or his staff) provided some support to a regular "back packers" camping tour, that used one area of the park.

With just Wrightsair and the Pub being the only establishments in William Creek one of them would be responsible for the Camping Area. I doubt if it would be the pub. They would have enough work with their own units and small camping area as part of the pub grounds.

Perhaps Trevor and his pilots are so busy with charters, etc., they are "neglecting" the basics of cleanliness in the camp facilities?
Or perhaps it is a problem with finding someone to provide this domestic support.

I am not aware of the current "occupancy" of Anna Creek Station on which property
William Creek is a part of.

Sad to hear of this problem as William Creek is one of my favourite iconic outback places.

Bill

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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 10:09

Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 10:09

AFAIK Anna Ck Station is owned by what's left of the Kidman empire.

IMO William Ck is a stopover, not a holiday destination. Maybe that's why there's little capital investment and basic service standards.

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Reply By: 2000 Red Rodeo - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 20:40

Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 20:40

We stayed there a couple of nights a few weeks ago due to the roads being closed due to rain. 1 night in a cabin, 1 night camped.

We were happy enough with the facilities. Cabins were very good for where we were. Toilets/showers in the camp ground were ok. But as mentioned above, remember where you are.

Only negative we had was the attitude or lack of friendliness of the publican and staff. Given they rely on tourism you would think they would be friendly.

I would recommend every other pub, bakery, roadhouse we stopped at. They were all proud of their area/town and happy to chat. Not so at William Creek.

Would only stop there again if I had to. Coward Springs and Algebuckina are both better options

Geoff

AnswerID: 468670

Follow Up By: Rudds - Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 06:57

Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 06:57

We stopped at the pub for a beer on our way to Oodnadatta for a hamburger. It was after the Birdsville races. Nice pub, but the service was limited. "One" Irish back packer was left to serve, beer, coffee, campers, petrol and what ever else was to be done. She didn't appear to be enjoying her Aussie experience to say the least. The publican was no help to her at all, walked in said hello and left.

On the way back a few days later we gave the pub another try. The publican was in the bar, he's not exactly the friendliest bloke I've met. There was another women doing the run around this time, she was friendly and good value, but again, it was hard to get a beer.

The Pink Road house at Oodnadatta was the complete opposite.

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Follow Up By: muffin man - Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 12:40

Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 12:40

Agree with you 100%. Our only visit to William Creek we stood in the pub for ever waiting for a drink. Sadly they have too many other interests and a captive audience that good service is not needed.
On the other hand up at Mungerannie which is owner operated by Phil you get fantastic service as he is nearly always there.
Muffin Man

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Follow Up By: Rudds - Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 14:45

Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 14:45

Yes, I was wandering after I sent that note above, which was the best pub we stopped at on our "Birdsville Outback Loop, up the Oodnadatta track & back" trip. You definitely can't go past the Mungerannie Pub with Phil & Pam. Good pub, & they were the best for service & camping etc... Silverton was pretty good with camping at the c/van park, walking distance to the pub. Innaminka was a good pub & free camping on the creek, $2 showers. Marree & Lyndhurst were good. I'm starting to wonder was it an outback trip or a pub crawl........

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Follow Up By: Member - Rod D (VIC) - Friday, Nov 04, 2011 at 22:33

Friday, Nov 04, 2011 at 22:33

Just got back from a trip up that way and we found the publican at the Transcontinental Hotel at Oodnadatta to be very friendly and helpful.

A completely different attitude to what we have experienced at William Creek.

I know where I will be stopping for a beer and a friendly chat next time Im up that way.

FollowupID: 743589