Cordillo Downs track with a caravan
Submitted: Wednesday, Jun 06, 2012 at 22:13
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MADOG
I travelled this track many years ago when tenting and enjoyed the experience immensely, particularly the history and that enormous shearing shed. The trials of time are now showing up when I try to remember the track conditions and this is why I am seeking help ideally from a recent traveller.
I would like to travel this track north to south in a
well prepared (for 4wd touring) 200 series Landcruiser towing a 3.5 ton Kedron TopEnder off road van/mobile office (lucky enought to be able to mix work & pleasure) in mid July. The setup has proved to be quite bullet proof to date travelling numerous unsealed outback roads however I do wonder about any signifcant creek beds that could deliver grief or any other geological impediment on this proposed route.
Given the recent rain out that way we may not even get the chance - will be sourcing road condition updates on a regular basis as we head in that direction.
Would appreciate any constructive thoughts from those who have travelled this track or know something about it.
Reply By: Member - Graham N (SA) - Wednesday, Jun 06, 2012 at 22:46
Wednesday, Jun 06, 2012 at 22:46
Hi MADOG,
Went through there last year from south to north and it started raining I was towing a T-Van and met two other vehicles towing CT's also, seen two "Bushtrackers" camped in the creek south of
Cordillo Downs probably waiting for the rain to pass. The road was a little slippery in
places but you certainly should be ok in the dry.You should enjoy the trip.
Cheers
Graham
AnswerID:
487822
Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Wednesday, Jun 06, 2012 at 23:44
Wednesday, Jun 06, 2012 at 23:44
Went down about 2.5 weeks ago with 3 4by's and a Subaru Outback. Should be fine in your set up as long as it stay dry.
FollowupID:
763073
Reply By: Member - Old Girl - Thursday, Jun 07, 2012 at 07:38
Thursday, Jun 07, 2012 at 07:38
With your setup we would Only problem i see with the road is its rough.
Mine you our 76 feels every bump. Probably hasnt changed since you were there last.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Sigmund - Thursday, Jun 07, 2012 at 11:03
Thursday, Jun 07, 2012 at 11:03
The road is currently rated as 4WD, caution at rutted sections:
click me
Note that the causeway north of
Innamincka is closed due to flooding and may remain so for some time, and currently the Arrabury Rd. is closed due to rain. Of course
check closer to your date:
Barcoo Shire road conditions
AnswerID:
487841
Follow Up By: Gado - Friday, Jun 15, 2012 at 18:02
Friday, Jun 15, 2012 at 18:02
These web sites are not updated often enough, the Arrabury Rd is still listed as closed on the Barcoo Shire web site but was open a week ago when we went through. The northern section of the
Cordillo Downs Rd via Cadelga
ruins is closed and still very wet.
FollowupID:
763714
Reply By: dieseltojo - Thursday, Jun 07, 2012 at 22:47
Thursday, Jun 07, 2012 at 22:47
Hi Madog,
Its been a while 2009, since I was there with a friend. we were both towing. So one was an Avan the other a Trackmaster. absolutely no problems , but the weather was dry. I reckon it would be a different story in the wet. You certainly would want a recent road report before taking off.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: MADOG - Thursday, Jun 07, 2012 at 23:07
Thursday, Jun 07, 2012 at 23:07
Thankyou gentlemen for that
feedback. Looking forward to that part of the trip and hoping it is dry and the roads are open.
FollowupID:
763120
Reply By: Gado - Friday, Jun 15, 2012 at 16:55
Friday, Jun 15, 2012 at 16:55
Hello MADOG
The road was closed when we were hoping to do the northern section (down from
SA border to Arrabury) last week (9-10 June 2012). There is a lot of water over the road following heavy local rain in that area in the first week of June. There are
long flat sections ungravelled over floodplain so I think it will be weeks before it's passable.
We took the alternative road from
Birdsville Development Rd via Arrabury to
Innamincka - it is up to "mining standard" like a newly graded super highway. Just a few wet spots in the gullies in the northern section. Not quite as interesting but you'll be fine that way with the van.
The crossing at
Innamincka still has some fast-flowing water over it, about 300mm and is still closed. Don't know how long the recent rain will keep it flowing.
Cheers, Gado
AnswerID:
488567
Follow Up By: dean e - Friday, Jun 15, 2012 at 17:46
Friday, Jun 15, 2012 at 17:46
That's good to hear the Arrabury road is open again as all of the road condition sites are showing it closed, unless there others I dont know about. We are talking about the same road, the road that runs past
Haddon Corner ?
Dean
FollowupID:
763708
Follow Up By: Gado - Friday, Jun 15, 2012 at 17:57
Friday, Jun 15, 2012 at 17:57
Yes Dean, we took the 14km detour and visited
Haddon Corner last Saturday (9 June) and stood in the mud for the obligatory photo. It's quite a low-lying spot just there.
A few muddy spots on this track, but nothing too challenging, and drying out rapidly by now. The Arrabury road is fine all the way from the
Birdsville Development Rd to
Innamincka, there was only one dip with water about 500mm deep and falling, but the whole road is
well made and recently graded.
FollowupID:
763712
Follow Up By: Sigmund - Monday, Jun 18, 2012 at 11:50
Monday, Jun 18, 2012 at 11:50
Thanks for that.
Posting from Inna: the Arrabury Rd has reopened after rain several days ago.
Saw a couple of dingos patrolling around the Curryamulla
Waterhole this morning. In fine condition.
Heading for
Birdsville tomorrow. Barometer is up.
FollowupID:
763948
Follow Up By: Gado - Monday, Jun 18, 2012 at 18:16
Monday, Jun 18, 2012 at 18:16
Good on you Sigmund, we were sorry to miss the
Cullyamurra waterhole, the road into it was closed 10 days ago. Maybe next time...
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2012 at 20:01
Tuesday, Jun 19, 2012 at 20:01
Pity. It's a great spot.
It's taking time to reopen all the points of interest after the heavy rains a couple of weeks ago.
Arrabury rd. was good as you said. The
creek crossing was a first in the Forester; no drama ... less than 20cm deep at a guess.
FollowupID:
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