Birdsville & Oodnadatta tracks

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 05, 2012 at 20:29
ThreadID: 96689 Views:1943 Replies:3 FollowUps:8
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In 4 weeks time we are travelling from Cairns to Winton then Birdsville, Maree, Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta, Dalhousie Springs, Alice Springs, Mount Isa then back. My question is, which is the better track to come down.Birdsville track or the Strzelecki? Would love to do all 3 but don't think we can fit it in. We only have 3 weeks.
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Reply By: Stretchlizard2 - Thursday, Jul 05, 2012 at 20:58

Thursday, Jul 05, 2012 at 20:58
Shaza11
Having recently done the Birdsville track from N to S and the first 200km of the Strezlecki from the South (turned around with a gear sensor problem) I would definitely advise doing the Birdsville track. We did it towing a 2 tonne van with no issues.
Two bits of advice on your trip: Stop for a pie at the Hughenden Bakery and stay over at Mungerannie Station in preference to Cooper Creek campsite. For the uninformed, the Cooper Creek does not pass the Birdsville Track except when in flood in which case the detour to the ferry is in place and the Cooper camp is underwater. Mungerannie Station has a hot pool so there is no contest.
Regards
Stretchlizard
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Follow Up By: Shaza11 - Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 20:20

Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 20:20
Thanks Stretchlizard, we were tossing up between Mungerannie or Cooper creek, so I assume by your reply that there is no water at Cooper creek. On a different note, are the flies as bad as some of the other blogs that I gave been reading?
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Follow Up By: Stretchlizard2 - Saturday, Jul 07, 2012 at 13:35

Saturday, Jul 07, 2012 at 13:35
Shaza

Except in times of flood, Cooper Creek finishes at Lake Killamperpunna to the East of the Birdsville Track and four weeks ago we only got a glimpse of it about a kilometer north of the Cooper Creek campsite. It looks like there is a track to it near where we glimpsed it.

As we were traveling with a van with fly screens, we did not have a problem with the flies. We were using broken twigs with leaves to keep them at bay. I had considered getting our fly mesh hats our like a number of tent and camper travelers had done but we could retreat to the van to cook and eat. Best to be prepared just in case.

Enjoy your trip.
Stretchlizard
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Reply By: AlbyNSW - Thursday, Jul 05, 2012 at 21:30

Thursday, Jul 05, 2012 at 21:30
Birdsville track has much more character, Strezlecki is little more than a dirt highway full of trucks, very disappointing drive.
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Follow Up By: rainbowprof - Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 10:23

Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 10:23
Aren't Coongie Lakes a worthwhile destination up the Strrzlecki?
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Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 12:14

Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 12:14
Maybe so but there are a number of worthwhile destinations on the Birdsville track and the Birdsville track itself does not feel as commercialised in my opinion.
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Follow Up By: Great Divide Tours - Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 15:31

Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 15:31
I believe the road to Coongie Lakes is still closed, but there is still some great campsites around Innamincka and the famous Dig Tree which make going up or down the Strzelecki track more interesting than the Birdsville track, for bragging rights though you can't beat saying you have done the Birdsville track if that is important to you.
Vic
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Follow Up By: Shaza11 - Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 20:27

Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 20:27
Hi Vic, you won't remember us, but we used to do some tours with you about 20 years ago. In fact we won the night adventure that you organized. We had a red shorty Maverick, my sister ended up marrying Paul L after meeting him on that weekend.

Wayne & Sharon
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Follow Up By: Great Divide Tours - Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 21:02

Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 21:02
Hi Wayne and Sharon, I mustn't be as senile as I thought, I can just remember you and would you believe I saw Paul only last week and its been about 10 years since I last saw him! Hope you are keeping well.
Vic
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Follow Up By: Shaza11 - Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 21:15

Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 21:15
Both doing well, good to see Great Divide Tours is still going. Wayne got transferred to Cairns for 4 years and we are still here. We now have a Patrol, the Mav finally got sick and we traded her in. Very sad but love the Patrol and we also have a Cape York Camper Trailer, which is great. We got too old for tents.
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Reply By: Shaza11 - Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 20:12

Friday, Jul 06, 2012 at 20:12
Thanks for the info guys, even though you are not helping making the final decision. Everyone does seem to have there own favorite picks. Think we will probably stick with the Birdsville Track which was the first choice.
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