Birdsville to Innaminka via Walkers Crossing

Walkers Crossing is still closed due to inundation. No time line on when it may be opoen but predictions have been as long at 2013 if there are no big rainfalls next year. Best to head down the Cordillo Downs Road and then the Arabury Road north to Nappa Merrie and take in the Dig Tree and on to Innamincka that way.

We did a very similar trip 5 months back but couldn't get through the Simpson. The whole trip is blogged so you may get some ideas from those notes.

It begins here....

and

ends here.

Cheers

Mick

Hi Melter

It still may be a little early to say if the track will be open and repaired. It has been out for the last 2 seasons due to flood damage and the actual crossing being washed out and covered in water.

If open, study your maps well and make note of the GPS Waypoint for the turn off, as it is not signposted and I have seen groups aimlessly lost trying to find the turn off. The first section of the track is slow going over the rocky terrain, but once into the sand country, it is an easy and good drive. It is a very easy one days drive and it you leave Birdsville say around 9am, it should be around mid afternoon when you arrive at Innamincka.

Once you get within the gas fields, just make sure that to keep an eye out for the Innaminka signs, as there are many well graded roads going in all directions.

Check out the Transport SA Northern Roads reports closer to the time that you want to travel, or ask the question again about a month before you intent to travel, as it should be known then if it will be open.



Cheers



Stephen

We did Cordillo Rd a couple of months ago now. The southern part turns to mush very quickly with a hint of rain. The northern part where the station is there was a nasty creek crossing that some were winging about. It took us the best part of the day to get from Inna to the Birdsville/Arrabury Rds junction which included Cordillo Stn and Haddons Crn. Travelling that part of the country you need plan A, B C... as the conditions change daily at the moment there is another fire so anything can happen. Walkers Crossing, big job to open it again.
Sharon

Melter,
My wife and I did the track a couple of years ago and we took two days with an overnight stop at the crossing. We took our time and did a couple of side diversions. Didn't see anyone for two days and if the track is dry I would recommend it. As mentioned waypoints through the gas fields helped a lot as only some turns are signposted.

Cheers

Steve

Hi Melter,

We did the same trip in October this year (a few months back).
We did it in the order you mentioned but we did not do the Walker Crossing (still closed).
Melb to Melb = 7,500kms and 4 weeks.
Melb - Adel - Coober Pedy - Uluru - Kings Canyon - Palm Valley - Alice Springs - Mt.Dare - Dalhousie Springs - Simpson Desert - Birdsville - Innaminka - Camerons Corner - Coopers Creek - Mildura - Melb.
Great Trip. Cannot wait to go again.
We had 2 pajeros - 3.0lt V6 & 3.8lt V6 both used 115lts to cross the Simpson Desert (West to East along the French Line) Fantastic Country.
This trip may have been more relaxed if we did it in 6 weeks instead of 4 weeks (still have to work)
If you need any specific advise while it is fresh in my memory I would be glad to do so.

Happy Travels

John R