Old Stuart Highway - South of Coober Pedy, accessible?

Submitted: Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 08:16

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Member - Duncan2H

Does anyone know if this section of the Old Stuart Highway is drivable? I have a 2-3 days to kill between Kingoonya and Coober Pedy later this week and am looking for interesting stuff to see.

Old Stuart Highway

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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 08:35

Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 08:35

Don't know of any reason not to drive down via Ingomar to McDougall Peak, but then you run into the Woomera Prohibited area and need a permit.
Likewise via The Twins, Mt Eba and Bon Bon and south to Kingoonya.

The old "highway" wandered about and was re routed often. We drove it in 1967, 1970 (in Minis) and 1974 (in a VW Kombi).

Not sure of the date of these maps.

Stuart Highway

Cheers,
Peter
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Follow Up By: Member - Duncan2H - Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 08:54

Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 08:54

They are some very cool and historical maps, thanks for posting them!

I'll report back what I find. I have a permit for the Woomera Prohibited area for the dates for another part of the trip so I'll resubmit it with more detail on this section.

Thanks Peter!

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 09:07

Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 09:07

When we drove it in 1967, the only maps with any detail we could find were RAA strip maps and they were full of major errors. We made lots of corrections and took them to the RAA afterwards. They were very grateful at the time.
Subsequently we spent a small fortune on 1:250,000 "Army Survey" maps which was about the only thing available better than a Shell road map. They were good, but cost a lot at the time. Still have them in a box somewhere.

Spuds Garage in Pimba, 1967.

Stuart Highway, 1967

Stuart Highway, 1970

Cheers,
Peter
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Follow Up By: Member - Duncan2H - Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 09:18

Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 09:18

Fascinating photos! Pimba has certainly grown, and doing that trip in a Mini - epic!

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Reply By: Member - nickb boab - Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 22:13

Monday, Jun 21, 2021 at 22:13

Earlier Stuart hwy post
Maybe something of interest in this earlier post.

Cheers Nick b

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Reply By: Michael H9 - Tuesday, Jun 22, 2021 at 07:58

Tuesday, Jun 22, 2021 at 07:58

Ronny Dahl on Youtube tried going that way a while back and got turned around by an angry station owner. Had to retrace beck to Coober Pedy and come down the main highway. He was pretty cheesed off with Hema showing it as open.

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Follow Up By: Member - Duncan2H - Tuesday, Jun 22, 2021 at 08:30

Tuesday, Jun 22, 2021 at 08:30

Thanks, I recall that episode now.. I think we'll find some other POIs to explore instead. As it turns out the time frame is to short to amend our Woomera WPA permit that we have for another part of the trip. Cheers.

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Reply By: GarryR - Tuesday, Jun 22, 2021 at 18:35

Tuesday, Jun 22, 2021 at 18:35

Hi Duncan2H, as stated some of the old Highway is in the prohibited area, and is only accessible for about 6 weeks per year. I have done the exercise not long ago to transit part of the old highway , but covid put ends to or plans. The old highway way goes through Billa Killina Station and Mt Eba Station, of which are both owned by Billa Kallina. The owners are really good to speak to, and let us plan our route on their property with advice on what tracks that were still available. Be aware that the old highway does cut on the edge of the RED zone, and a extra permit will be required. Easy enough to get but, the time that it takes can be enormous. It goes to a special internal department for consideration. The other station will be Bon Bon , which will be a no go transit. This Station is now owned by Bush Heritage and extends to Kingoonya to the Sth West. Both Judy and I are members of Bush Heritage, and have an invite to visit the station, but not transverse the tracks. Most of these tracks have now been ripped and the area turned back to its native state. Hopes this helps a little, but do not be put off, just ring and state to the station your plans and why.

location - Warragul -Victoria
life is too short, so out and about enjoy

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Jun 22, 2021 at 19:48

Tuesday, Jun 22, 2021 at 19:48

"....... snip ......Billa Killina Station and Mt Eba Station, of which are both owned by Billa Kallina. The owners are really good to speak to,......."
Billa Kalina Station has been owned by the Greenfield family for generations.
In Easter 1970 we drove a Mini from Coward Springs to Billa Kalina along a route south of the Margaret River. There was no track for about 1/3rd of that distance and we navigated by compass. The Greenfields did not believe we had come by that route, let alone by Mini, but we did convince them with our descriptions.
25 years later to the day we attempted the same route in reverse in a 4WD and failed because it was wet.
The Greenfields were very welcoming on both occasions.