Hugh River Stock Route NT

thank you Peter and Margaret.
Would be unlucky to come across a train at the crossing, or lucky if you are a train spotter.

I was meaning that there is opportunity to make a wrong turn in the area of the rail crossing.
Keep an eye on the map and where you are heading.

There is a track on the west side of the railway that goes directly to Rainbow Valley that some tour operators use, but it is private property and it should not be used without permission. In fact I think the gate is locked.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome.

Hi Guys,

20 years ago we travelled from Rainbow Valley through to the Finke/Ghan Road on that track. The gates were not locked back then, and the track between Rainbow Valley and the railway line had a few overhanging tree branches back then. It did not look all that well travelled, not sure what it would be like now. We were not towing a caravan back then.

Also, you do not need to go as far South as Erldunda in order to get to the Luritja Road to Kings Canyon. You can take Ernest Giles Road, it is about 60 kms south along the Stuart highway from the Rainbow Valley road. It can be a little corrugated and has a couple of sandy patches, but we drove this road towing our 2.6 Tonne Off Road Caravan a few years ago.

The road out to Chambers Pillar from Maryvale Station is reasonable. There is one jump up that can be quite challenging, particularly towing a caravan. We did it in 2016 towing our van, 76 Series Landcruiser, low range 2nd gear got us over each way. Make sure you have everything securely packed in the van, as it will “rock and roll” on the jump up. There are also some sand dunes as you get closer to the Pillar.

If you get yourself a Hema Road & 4WD Atlas, it has these roads clearly marked. It is not cheap, but we’ll worth the money. It is particularly useful when planning road trips, as it also has camp grounds, rest stops and point of interest marked as well.

Macca.

Hi Peter, was being a smart ass about the train but it would be great to see it. Not a train spotter but would still be great to see way out in the bush.

Macca
Thank you also for your info, have a Hema 4X4 book of maps + ExplorOz app.

this Forum is so helpful someone has been to anywhere you ask about. so great.

Pig

Since we are off topic, we did see the Ghan at Coward Springs in 1970, then that night we were woken by another while sleeping without realising the track was very close. Frightened the living daylights out of us.


Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Pig an alternative route once you get to the stuart hwy to Kings cannon would be along the Ernest Giles Road lot more interesting than the bitumen by a long shot .

Were you going from finke to chamber Pillar via the old Ghan road / track , you might find that rough & challenging .

P.s what time of the year are you travelling,
June is a very busy time there with the FDR?

Hi Nick.
Leaving Sydney mid July so should be in that area around the end of July. Driving straight to Oonadatta as have done Cameron's Cnr, Strzelecki, Maree a few times.
The mighty Disco 4 and the Sunland van should be ok.
I did the road from Hells gate to Borroloola last year and that was very tough.
thank for the heads up on the Ernest Giles road, had put the into my directions.
Staying off the main road if possibe, Intend to also go the Buchanan Highway to Top Spring, Victoria River and Timber creek.
Thought I heard Timer Creek go over 400 mm of rain in a very short time.

Anyway looking forward to the adventure.
pig

Pig . The Ernest Giles Road used to be one of my favorite roads when I lived in Alice Springs and traveled it many times . not used much I think these days ?
The finke dessert race is on in June Queen birthday weekend so you will miss all that but you you might want to come back for that another time . The Buchanan hwy is a great track , from the stuart hwy flat road to top springs (don't camp out side the hotel , inside only or to the west vic river ) top springs to timber creek is a great drive with some good camping spots , it can be undulating and slow going in places.
Sounds like your in for a fantastic trip good luck on your travels .

Hi Nick
where on the Hugh river do you mean, near Owen Springs?
Always looking for great camp spots in the bush

Pig . Not owen spring station . when you cross the train line on the Hugh River Stock Route the hugh river is not far away on the Eastern side of the train line and is a very beautiful spot and would be great to camp there . If you have a look on Google satellite maps you will get an idea of the area you may also notice some Aboriginal camps /Communities in this area as well .