Strzelecki, Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks in August

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

My wife and I are planning to do this "loop" for three weeks from the beginning of August. This will be the first time that we do this and I will appreciate and advice: current conditions; places to see and sleep over; visit to Lake Eyre and whatever else might be helpful.

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

Places that I recommend you check out:

Oodndatta Track
Algebucknia Bridge over the Neale River
Stay at Algebucknia Waterhole
Peake Telegraph Station
Anna Creek Ruin (not sign posted and can be hard to find but probably in the best condtion of the old railway sidings)
Halligan Bay (Lake Eyre North)
Coward Springs
The Bubbler
Curdimurka and make sure you head west out to the incredible bridge over the Sturt Creek (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/15615225). I think you can also climb the red tank

Birdsville Track
I've heard that Kallalpaninna Mission is worth a look but you need prior permission from Etadunna Station
Obviously you will check out the ferry and maybe go for a cruise or helicopter flight at Lake Killamperpunna
The Old Mulka Store
Phil at Mungerannie can advise on a few spots worth seeing
Stay at Mungerannie and enjoy the pool
Kulamurina would be worth a look but you can't have a fire out there is you stay over night now that it is a privatley owned conservation park
Turn off the Birdsville Track around Bungmurloo Waterhole to see the Warburton. I think this has had constant water in for the last few years so should look pretty remarkable. The Warbuton track has certainly be closed due to not being able to cross the Warburton.
I think at Pandie Pandie you can access the Dimantina and there is a lagoon that the locals use for sailing. Not 100% sure oin the location but Wolfgang at the Blue Poles Gallery can direct you
Check out the Working Muesum at Birdville if it is still open. The owner is quite sick I believe and has been looking at selling this for a while. Last year his suggestion would be to just close the Muuseum and see off the gear in lots so no more Museum.

Strzelecki Track
Have only travelled part of this so can't really comment much.
Would check out the Ochre Pits near Lyndhurst
Talc Alf is intreresting in Lyndhurst
Worth staying at Farina for $5.00 per peron per night in an honestly box. Fantastic campsite
Moomba would be worth a view or tack the Old Strzelecki track and bypass Moomba
It's a good trip out to Coongie Lakes but currently closed and probably not open till next year due to flooding
Dig Tree, Burke's Memorial, Wills Memorial and Cullymurra Waterhole
Stay at Innamika in the town common
Goota have dinner one night at the Trading Post pub
Cordillo Downs
Haddon Corner
Take a tour of the Hot Rocks Power Station. DId that a few years ago and was pretty interesting


Road Conditions
Best bet is to check on the following websites:
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quick...s/northern.asp
Oodndatta Track http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quick...oads/area2.asp
Birdsville Track and Strzelecki Track http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quick...oads/area1.asp


Enjoy the trip. Don't rush anything. Drop tyre pressure to 24-26 and sit on around 70-80 kph.

I was looking at being up that way now but trip cancelled but heading there end of August early September.

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

Enjoy the trip. Don't rush anything. Drop tyre pressure to 24-26 and sit on around 70-80 kph.

I was looking at being up that way now but trip cancelled but heading there end of August early September.

Thank you very much for all this info!!!

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

I have never been this way before. Is there any creek crossings that might need the use of a water bra or similar or all they all dry or only shallow?

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

Depends if there is any rain but there shouldn't be any place that you need a car bar or tarp. Might be some water on the Birdsville Track but take it slow if it is deepish (shouldn't be too deep and maybe only axel deep). The causeway at Innaminka might be deep but then it would also be closed.

[Allfour4x4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Allfour4x4]

We're on the way to Lake Eyre also, should be worth seeing at present.
Leaving Tassie next week up to NSW then across to Marree sometime early August

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

Just returned from a Simmo crossing......Oodnadatta Track.....pretty good, lots of corrugations but otherwise no probs...travelled from Leigh Creek up to Hamilton Station (and then into Dalhousie).We travelled up at about 80 Kms an hour, few potholes but really pretty good.

The Strez Track I did from Innamincka (after coming down from Birdsville via Cordillo Downs, Nappa Merrie).....in a word....FANTASTIC....90-100 Kms an hour.

Lake Eyre was incredible....we did a flight from William Creek BUT you can see LE South from the road, althougth not the same.

Just one word of warning.....Mice and Rats......HEAPS of them out there!!

Good luck, you'll enjoy

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

We also just returned from a Cooper/Flinders trip. Birdsville track was excellent with 80kph not a problem at 25psi. We saw plenty of large rat sized creatures at Mungerannie, but they are NOT Rats! Also, saw many mouse sized critters on the road most were not mice! There has been a significant mouse plague across the country however, so no doubt there are mices about!

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

I think the Rats are bush type rats , I heard someone called them "Batongs" (although have no idea if this is accurate or not).......they are friendly little critters, no fear of humans BUT they still ate several holes in my tent AND my camp oven bag.