Lake Eyre South and Stuart Creek
Submitted: Monday, May 28, 2012 at 15:33
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Bega Photographer
We'll be in
Andamooka in August and I'd like to see
Lake Eyre South and Stuart Creek.
Travelling in a 2wd tray back ute. Reckon on leaving the caravan at
Andamooka and camping a night or two in the tent.
I should get up the Borefield Road from
Roxby Downs alright. Been half way up there in the Commodore a few years back.
But when I meet the
Oodnadatta track and turn left, will I get along there in a 2wd?
So long as we can get within walking distance of
Lake Eyre South, say a couple of kms, that will be OK.
Then on to where the track crosses Stuart creek? I'd really like to be able to see Stuart Creek, even if not the best part of it which a think would be further upstream.
Thanks,
Laurie.
Of course, this is weather dependant and you can be sure we'll be keeping a close watch on the weather.
Reply By: olcoolone - Monday, May 28, 2012 at 16:31
Monday, May 28, 2012 at 16:31
Any thing out that way in a two wheel drive is asking a bit much at that time of year, many roads can become closed or have 4wd access only with in a couple of hours of rain.
In good weather you can get through any of the major roads with a two wheel drive.
We have been up that way a fair few times and have been nearly caught when they have received 50mm of rain in 1.5 hours and 120 Kilometre winds .
We have been 100 kilometres further up a track from friends.... they copped big rain that made the track impassable and we had blue sky's.
The main issue you may have in a two wheel drive is ground clearance.
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Follow Up By: Bega Photographer - Monday, May 28, 2012 at 17:14
Monday, May 28, 2012 at 17:14
Thanks olcoolone! Appreciate your concern!
I'm not so worried about getting stuck somewhere should it rain, so long as it's not in a creek bed. We'll have plenty of
drinking water and tucker. I bake a pretty mean loaf of bread in the
camp oven. I expect someone in a fourby would turn up within a day or two.
Am I right in thinking that as long as I stick to the regular 4x4 tracks, there'd be a couple of vehicles a day, out there?
By contrast, on my quadbike trips a bit further south, I've gone a week or more without seeing a soul, nor would I if I stayed out there for a month. Very isolated and all alone to get myself out of trouble.
I was more concerned about the general quality of the track; whether to make a start or give it a miss. If I was to strike a washed out
creek crossing, too steep and rough for a 2wd, say every few kms, then I'd avoid the track.
Thanks,
Laurie.
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Follow Up By: Rick (S.A.) - Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 17:35
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 17:35
" I was more concerned about the general quality of the track; whether to make a start or give it a miss. If I was to strike a washed out
creek crossing, too steep and rough for a 2wd, say every few kms, then I'd avoid the track."
Go for it, Laurie. Make the start.
Good roads,
well maintained. No issues for a 2wd unless a big dump happens. Then everything stops - 2 or 4 wheel don't matter - it's just impassable (yep, 1st hand experience - stuck for 4 days).
Relatively speaking you are unlikely to get a washed out creek anywhere. No, there are not creeks every few km; rather a few bigger ones feeding into L Eyre South. The creek crossings on the Oodna track are very
well constructed and some have concrete causeways.
On the Borefield Rd there is only one 'creek' & that is the shallow depression about 3 km wide which is the watercourse of the
Gregory, about 20 -25 km south of the Oodna Track.
At this time of year there is plenty of traffic for support if needed.
Don't forget to drop your tyre pressures.
Cheers
RM
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Follow Up By: Rick (S.A.) - Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 17:56
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 17:56
PS
if you are going to see Stuart Creek, and the viewing spot on the edge of L Eyre South, make sure you go on a bit further & visit
Coward Springs. Quite an interesting location.
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