Article Comment: Birdsville Track

"Even then it would probably be quite hot'

Spot on, & no 'probably about it.

A few years back we spent 10 days travelling from Birdsville down to Marree in late November. We had consulted whomever we had been able to talk to around Birdsville as to the wisdom of this, Driving an old Nissan Civilian bus (2wd with dual rears) towing a trailer containing a couple of off road bikes. The concensus was that we were mad, but we felt we had it covered & went anyway.

Up every morning before dawn - it was hot even then. Left at first light - getting hotter by the minute. Drove very slowly to reduce pressure on the motor, & to keep coolant temps down & to treat the tyres nicely. I recollect that our overall average speed was around 20kph, but that we did briefly reach 40kph a couple of times. Low gears & engine revs were needed to keep the radiator fan spinning sufficiently to keep engine temps down. Air conditioner was not working. Each day we would set up the new camp by mid morning to avoid having to do so in the very worst of the heat. During the 10 days we only came across 3 other vehicles, 2 heading north on the road passed us, & one couple towing an ancient Jayco Penguin at Mungerannie. I cannot imagine doing this with young children & enjoying it. Although we too would not choose to do the same again, It was an adventure we will never forget, & to be honest, because at that time the Birdsville Track felt very exciting to us because back then we had not travelled very remote (today we would enjoy it at a cooler time of the year but find it 'just another desert road)it was in fact one of the best things we had ever done. I believe it would be harder still in January & doing it over just two days would put so much pressure on everything I think it would be a recipe for potential disaster. Unlike those who told us we were mad to do it, with 2 kids & a 2 day schedule it would not be madness, it would IMHO be extremely foolish & negligent, & not the sort of journey that experienced outback travellers would take without a great deal of thought. Imagine just one possible scenario among many - tyre blow out. OK you have spares & the means to change it, but add in ground which burns just to touch, winds which feel they are direct from a furnace licking up dust which makes it hard to see what you are doing (as does the constant salty sweat running into your eyes), & to breathe is hard because you have something wrapped around your face to stop sucking the dust in, plus a caustic sun glaring down on you constantly trying to burn any exposed skin, no shade. The effort required is enormous compared to a usual tyre change & the heat sucks that energy away rapidly. A 30 minute job becomes a nightmare lasting hours. It seems that you have got the message from others, but I post this just in case you are still 'wavering'. ;)

And when you get to Birdsville? Stay a couple of days and the come home via the same road or travel on to some equally hot place?

Doesn't sound like much like fun for the kids.

Cheers

If you do decide to do it work out the most pessimistic amount of water that you need then at least double it plus enough for a radiator fill.

Just another question, where will you be travel from?

Yes, you could go to Wilpena Pound, they have a shady camping ground or AC accomm

Walk at daybreak, rest under a tree once it hits 40c (most days)