Finke to Chambers Pillar

Submitted: Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 14:38
ThreadID: 91209 Views:2343 Replies:6 FollowUps:13
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Hello All,
Can anyone let me know if it is still possible to travel north from Finke to Maryvale and then across to Chambers Pillar. I have been researching and the only information I can find relates back to 2004, no recent information or trek notes available

Cheers
Rick
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Reply By: Bravo Man - Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 15:13

Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 15:13
Hi Rick.
Last june I did that trip from Finke up the Finke Heritage trail to Chambers Piillar.Using my GPS I found a shortcut across to Maryvale which saved about 20-30 kms.The Finke Heritage Trail follows the old railway and was VERY corraggated,I took it easy and had no problems. It also follows the route for the Finke Desert race

Regards Peter
AnswerID: 474896

Follow Up By: Hairy (WA) - Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 15:18

Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 15:18
Yeah, there's a track off to your left just after Bundooma.......It is blackfella land though. Technically your tresspassing.
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Reply By: Hairy (WA) - Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 15:16

Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 15:16
Yeah Mate....the Finke track goes all the way through to Alice you just turn Right after Rodinga siding.
Its usually well sign posted unless a drunken local has wipped it out........well used road too.
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Follow Up By: Hairy (WA) - Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 15:19

Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 15:19
errrr.....that would be left when your heading North!
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Reply By: DesF - Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 16:01

Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 16:01
Hi, the legal turn-off to Maryvale is 118ks from the main street of Finke, there is a track about 15ks before that follows the fence line to maryvale , but probably quicker to use the main road,
Cheers Des.
AnswerID: 474900

Follow Up By: DesF - Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 16:04

Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 16:04
Sorry , just rechecked that and it is only 5ks before the main road .
Cheers Des.
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 09:57

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 09:57
Hi Des

We are heading that way this year also.

What is difficult about the "shortcut" that's 15Ks short of Rodinga?

Phil
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Follow Up By: DesF - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 15:18

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 15:18
Hi, Phil. the turn off ,(S24 39.865 E 134 08.573) I mentioned is before the main turn off to Maryvale and it is only 5ks before the new road (S 24 38.893 E 134 08.185) ( these can be seen on Google Earth easily) the turn off follows a fenceline to Maryvale and there are a few tracks wandering about, but on the GPS it showed us which one we were on, we started on the wrong one which petered out and then switched over, It is ony about 8ks to Maryvale.

As mentioned before the turn off at Bundooma is the old road to Alice Well, but then the track north to Maryvale from there is thru the mission property, and not recommended.

Watch out for stray dog spikes on the road up, but a good drive ( Not just after the Race , did that once , not again).

Cheers Des.
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FollowupID: 749947

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 16:32

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 16:32
Des

I can see the road going almost due east to Maryvale. The Zone 53 map shows it and has good detail of the area. As usual its accuracy these days is doubtful.

Always looking for somewhere different to go. Love that neck of the woods and eagerly anticipating our first visit.

I should have said this earlier. We have a 2005, 100 series 4.2td that is self sufficient, capable and reliable. We are also not novices to 4WD. That area yes but not 4WD.

Phil
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Follow Up By: DesF - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 16:48

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 16:48
No worries Phil, have a great trip, we hope to get to Finke in June this year again.
Cheers Des.
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FollowupID: 749954

Follow Up By: Hairy (WA) - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 17:20

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 17:20
Gday Des,
Do you realise The Finke Desert race is in June? You said you once did the track after the race , but not again?
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Follow Up By: DesF - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 17:58

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 17:58
Hi Hairy, yes we usually go up for the race but we will only go to Finke this year and then head home from there, the first trip we followed the sweep car up and it was shocking , by the time we got to Alice it was dark and soo dusty.
last time we waited and went up to Maryvale and then over to Chambers Pillar.
then across the Hugh stock route and down home that way.
Cheers Des.
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 18:45

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 18:45
We will be going through there before the race so not a problem. Our mechanic, Ritchie Cole, has competed in the race a few times but I don't know if he is going again. We are not as young as we once were. I better book the car in for a service and pre-trek check up early.

We may also after the Pillar head over to the Simpson the long way via Impanda and hopefully time it to see the Ghan we went to the Kimberley with the car on the Ghan and saw some cars on that track. It's a bit of a model train enthusiast thing guys.

Thanks again

Phil
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Reply By: ricko_chet - Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 19:39

Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at 19:39
Hey you lot.
Thanks for your information. It helps with the plans for this years journey.

cheers
Rick
AnswerID: 474913

Follow Up By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 10:41

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 10:41
Plan your trip before the Finke desert race and the road will be much better.

Alan
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 07:06

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 07:06
Slide show 2007.


Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome.
AnswerID: 474935

Follow Up By: Navigator 1 (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 09:46

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 09:46
Love the slide show Pete. Just something else I will have to learn to do!
Rob
The outback calls

Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

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Reply By: rumpig - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 15:26

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 15:26
am i missing something here?...you want to run from Finke to Maryvale and then into Chambers Pillar yeah? so you just drive straight up the Old Ghan Line. we did it back in 2010 and it was severley corrogated, a mate did it last year and it had just been graded.
watch out for all the old raiway spikes sticking out of ground, but other then that it's easy. track will be closed when Finke desert race is on though.
AnswerID: 474964

Follow Up By: Hairy (WA) - Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 17:29

Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 at 17:29
Gday,
I dont know why everyone has this thing about railway spikes? Never yet heard of anyone having a problem with them?
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