Saturday, Dec 29, 2012 at 20:52
Hi Les
One would presume that you are planning a trip for the cooler 'southern winter' months when travel conditions are at their peak.
The problem with the route that you are planning (I presume which way you want to go) has been closed now for a few years due to
water damage and
water closing the
Warburton Crossing.
I know from friends that are working up in the Cooper Basin that yes the
Walkers Crossing bridge has been repaired, but only usable for workers in that area. It is the same as the track going off of the
Birdsville Track and through the
Warburton Crossing. The crossing has been closed as it is steep and the body of
water throughout the crossing puts a halt to all vehicles. Even if the crossing is open, there are many kilometres of flat, black soil tracks and you only have to spit on them as such and it turns into a very boggy track.
I will now give you an idea of what it is like when things are good. The drive from
Innamincka through
Walkers Crossing and out to the
Birdsville track is a good drive, but take note of your bearings if you do not run Ozi, as there are many good tracks in the lower section used for the gas operations and it is easy to take the wrong track. A comfortable drive will take around the 6 hour mark or longer if you stop regally to 'smell the roses'. The final section (around 20 kilometres or so) out to the
Birdsville Track is at a slower pace, due to the very rocky condition of the track.
The K1 Line in from the
Birdsville Track is not signposted, so you will have to have either waypoints or a very good idea where it branches off. In dry times, it is a very easy drive, with only a few very small dunes that can catch out the unexpected. The dunes in this southern section of the Simpson are white and are a complete contrast for when you get further into
the desert. Like I said, apart from a couple a small dunes, the drive is very flat and a good 2wd track. Again if you intend to follow the full length of the
Rig Road, you will need to know where it branches off of the K1 Lines. The very first dune heading into the
Rig Road can at times be a very good christening into sand driving, and has caught many drivers out.
The
Rig Road is different to the other 2 main tracks heading west, but again it is a good experience to drive the
Rig Road.
Like above
the desert is closed for safety reasons, and has been this way for the last few years.
When conditions are good, you will enjoy the contrasting drive.
Cheers and Happy New Year.
Stephen
AnswerID:
501226