Below is a post on the
Birdsville Hotel Facebook page. Including insights about the Simpson and other tracks. I thought it was sufficiently interesting to quote in its entirety.
I hope we get an account from the first group crossing the Simpson this season!
Link to original post
"Hi all, some great information and updates below from our local Policeman Stephan.
Please note that this is local information based on current
feedback from surrounding areas and road reports from local shires and government websites will still provide the most current information. Cheers, Ben
After the last update it looked like things were slowly getting back to normal.
Then came along Ex TC Trevor and he has left quite a bit of the wet stuff in Western Queensland.
It is still to early to tell exactly what river totals and effects this rain event will have in this corner of the country but early indications are that all the major river catchments have received large amounts of rainfall.
The Diamantina River at
Birdsville is sitting around 2m at the moment but is expected to rise again.
Diamantina Lakes is currently at 6.36m, its peak last month was 7.68 and in 2018 it peaked at 6.92.
So the early indication is that we will have a significant increase in
Birdsville.
A month ago the Georgina and Cooper catchments whilst receiving healthy river flows did not impact the area as much as they will now with significant rainfall into both catchments.
ROAD CONDITIONS @29/3/2019
Birdsville to the North.
Birdsville to
Bedourie is now closed with river rises at Eyre Creek
Bedourie, King Creek Cluny and Eyre Creek at
Glengyle.
Bedourie to
Windorah is now closed.
There is large volumes of water travelling down from north of these areas, which will impact these roads.
Birdsville to the East
The
Birdsville Developmental Road (
Birdsville-
Windorah) is closed due to significant flooding at
Windorah. (
Cooper Creek)
The
Birdsville Developmental Road itself will be assessed over the next few days as information suggests that this road may not be effected by rain and may be an option for people travelling from
Innamincka. To be confirmed.
Birdsville to the West
The
Simpson Desert National Park Road (Big Red Road) was re-opened after rainfall this week.
The
Munga-Thirri National Park is open. 8 vehicles left
Birdsville on 27/3/2019 to cross the
Simpson Desert, when they arrive at Mt dare they will provide an up to date progress report on the
Simpson desert. BOM reports indicate 5-20mm of rain between
Birdsville and Poeppels Cnr. Cannot wait to hear about their journey.
Large amounts of rainfall have fallen throughout the Georgina Catchment early predictions are that some of this water will make its way into the
Simpson Desert and may affect the QAA line.
This will be monitored.
The
Birdsville Inside Track and the
Warburton Crossing will be closed for a long period of time as they are greatly affected by the flood waters.
Birdsville to the South
The
Birdsville track remains closed flood waters are still moving through the area, the road will be assessed once levels have settled.
The Arrabury Road remains open.
The
Cordillo Downs Road is closed.
Walkers Crossing will remain closed until assessments can be made of the
Birdsville Track.
The situation is being monitored and it will be likely that access to
Birdsville will not be possible for another short period of time.
As always people need to be reminded to
check local road condition reports online as they travel out west.
As we all know conditions can change quickly.
Stephan Pursell"