Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Setting off on my first really big trip with a bunch of friends in July with an Itinerary as follows

Brisbane-Moree (daughter lives there)
Moree-Nyngan 1 night (meet up with some of the group here)
Nyngan-Broken Hill 2 nights
Broken Hill-Wilpena Pound 4 nights
Wilpena-Arkaroola 2 nights
Arkaroola-William Creek (Lake Eyre flight) 1 night
William Creek-Oodnadatta 1 night
Ooodnadatta-Dalhousie 2 nights
Dalhouse-4 nights Simmo -Birdsville 2 nights
Birdsville-Cordillo Downs 1 night
Cordillo-Innamincka 2 nights (on the Cooper)
Innamincka-Camerons Corner 1 night
Camerons Corner-Bourke 1 night
Bourke-Moree
Moree-Brisbane

There's a bit of black top in that so really looking forward to leaving it after we leave BH and not seeing it again until we go through Bourke on the way home.

Travelling with another Prado, 3 Cruisers and a Triton....camping (no trailers) and been in the planning stages for about 18 months, just have to hope there's no flooding.

I'll make sure I take a lot of photo's and try and load them on when I return, can't wait departing 8th July so only 4 months now!!

This forum has been a great source of information so thanks to everyone who has answered questions, sent personal messages and made comments....every little bit helps.

Will certainly be the trip of a lifetime for me, maybe the first but certainly won't be the last!!

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

Must say I am a bit concerned at the volume of water coming down from up north, apart from calling Mount Dare /Birdsville (and way too early to do that now anyway) does anyone have a website that might help with whats coming and how it might look later in the year??

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

Don't have an answer for you mark but the trip plan looks good. Seening lots but at a really good relaxed pace.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

Actually while the following links will not give you a long term forecast they are worth checking on a regular basis, especially before you go :

Australian Road Conditions Reports Site
Australian Outback Roads Reports And Other Outback Information
SA:Outback Roads Temporary Closures, Restrictions and Warnings Report
NSW:Live Traffic NSW
QLD:QLD Road Closures and Conditions

[Sunshine Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunshine]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

If you were going now you wouldn't get to half those places but by July it should be much drier.

[nickchap Member Find all posts View Profile Close nickchap]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

Mark

Sounds like a great BIG trip
You seem to have most bases covered except WATER. :evil:
Our last Simpson trip we only just got through Eyer Creek -hopefully it will be better for your trip.
This year (23rd July) we are heading up to Birdsville and camping at Eyre Creek for a few days (27th - 29th July).
Then we backtrack to most probable Clayton Station and spend a few nights a Lake Eyer(There is a track in there from Clayton the we are hopeful we can use)
May cross you path whilst up around Birdsville /Eyer Creek.
After Lake Eyre we are spending time at Alpana Station (near Blinman) in the Flinders-probably 3rd to 5th Aug.
If you are in the area about that time the Blinman pub has a top meal(I'l be the guy holding up the bar :roll: )
We monitor both UHF and HF channels

Safe and happy travelling

Nick

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

Sure thing Nick....Silver GXL Prado QLD rego 233MVD.....I think we'll be using Chan 14, and then the usual 10 from Flinders on.

And thanks other (especially those links) BIG help

Yes hopefully by July we'll be fine, go now and you never get there.

It is a BIG trip, but we have a a fair few 2 night stays and 4 nights at Wilpena which will be great.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

I will be up around that way late in August so if you get rained in then we might meet I'll probably be supporting the bar at Birsdville or Innaminka.

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

Lol there could be a fair few holding up the Bar at Birdsville....there's some water coming down that's for sure, bit of a worry I must say.

[Snowmann Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Snowmann]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

Hi Mark & others
I am also planning to see the water in Lake Eyre in July. Current planning is that we only have about 2 weeks to get from Sydney to Lake Eyre and back. Plans are to leave Sydney 3rd July, head out to Broken Hill, then loop around Camerons Corner / Inaminka / Maree & Lake Eyre / Flinders / Broken Hill (either clockwise or anti-clockwise not sure yet depending on conditions). I know there is a lot of country but will keep an eye out for you. We are thinking of hiring a camper trailer this time.

Mark (from Sydney)

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

Mark...we leave 8th July so a few days behind you...have booked a Lake Eyre flight from William Creek....we'll head up to Dalhousie and then I guess make a decision about the crossing pending what Eyre Creek is doing. I am in a group of 6, 2 Prado's, 2 Cruisers, 1 Cruiser (Troopy) and a Triton....if you see me somewhere say hi, the 150 Silver GXL QLD Rego 233MVD

[Snowmann Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Snowmann]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

Hi Mark
Thanks, we might see each other - I'm in a white 150 series with MM number plates.
Many thanks also to everyone who has pearls of wisdom about road condition sites, must see places, and good camping spots.
Mark

[nickchap Member Find all posts View Profile Close nickchap]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

Make sure you have your PRADOPOINT.COM Stickers :!:
Easier to spot you and also count the number of PP'ers at the Birdsville pub :wink:

Nick

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

I have everything EXCEPT a PP Sticker must get one!!

[Noobie Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Noobie]

Re: Flinders, Simpson and Corner Country July-August 2011

I will be doing Adelaide - essendon - lake eyre - coober pedy - birdsville - essendon - Adelaide in 2 weekends time will let you guys know what's happening out there if you want.

Lake eyre apparently at 1.6 m at the moment so plenty of water...

I won't be on the ground but should be low enough to check some of the conditions.