Alternate journey ideas

Submitted: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 11:33
ThreadID: 86204 Views:1819 Replies:3 FollowUps:8
This Thread has been Archived
Hi All,
Chris and I are heading off toward the Simpson in the July school holidays. We are restricted to two weeks Sydney to Sydney. Our plans are to head via Nyngen, Milparinka, Innamincka, Birdsville and then into the Simpson. If the roads are blocked do you have any suggestions of other locations to visit or treks to take? We will be travelling with approx 5 other 4WD families.
Ruth and Chris
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: sweetnam - Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 13:38

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 13:38
If you get out to Innamincka, then maybe the Strezlekki, down to Maree and back via Wilpina Pound and Broken Hill.

Or Oddnadatta Track with a visit to Lake Eyre.
AnswerID: 453939

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 13:51

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 13:51
I'll second that but suggest you go out through Broken Hill then spend some time exploring the Flinders Ranges - turn north at Yunta and go in from the east. Plenty to see and do there - Arkaroola, Blinman, Brachina Gorge as well as Wilpena Pound. From the Flinders you could go out to William Creek and have a flight over Lake Eyre, come back to Maree and go up the Birdsville Track OR from Lyndhurst take a run up the Strezlecki Track.

Cheers,

Val
J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 726753

Follow Up By: Ruth C - Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 11:51

Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 11:51
Thanks for the suggestions sweetnam and also John and Val, sounds like there is heaps to see and do. I will certainly do some homework on those areas and come up with some alternatives. Many thanks
Ruth and Chris
0
FollowupID: 726894

Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 14:32

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 14:32
Hi Ruth and Chris

Like above but this would be my choice.

Keep to your original plans as far as Cameron Corner, but instead of heading to Innamincka, head down the Strez and take the detour up from Marree, and then up to take a ride on the Cooper Creek Ferry up on the Birdsville Track, then back down for the rest of your time in the Flinders.

If you have never been to the Flinders, then it is quite easy to spend all of your time there alone, they are magic with such a lot to see in the area. There are a number of very good pay "4X4" track in the Flinders, as well as countless drives that offer very contrasting scenery, from Bluebush cover plains to the native pine covered gorges.

Where ever you head for, you should have a great time.


Cheers


Stephen

Here is some of the many varied views that can be seen in the Flinders.

Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found
Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found
Smile like a Crocodile

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 453951

Follow Up By: Ruth C - Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 11:56

Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 11:56
Hi Stephen
I also like what you have suggested. Chris and I have some good alternatives should we need to deviate from original plans. Thanks so much for the photos they are fabulous and definitely inspired us to add the Flinders into our must see destinations......how I wish it was two months instead of two weeks!
Regards
Ruth and Chris
0
FollowupID: 726895

Reply By: Ozhumvee - Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 18:24

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 18:24
Two weeks is not really long enough to do justice to a Simpson desert trip, I know plenty do it but they will drive virtually non stop for the two weeks. We've done about twenty odd crossings over the years and 3 weeks is ideal, we used to take the kids out of school for a week.
IF the desert is open then you will have an extra 60 odd k's for the Eyre creek detour as well.
I'd also suggest that you go in the opposite direction, west to Port Augusta (where you can resupply with fruit and veges as they can't be taken into BH from the east), then up to Coober Pedy, across to Dalhousie and then across the desert. If you want to do a Lake Eyre flight then go via William Crk and then up the Oodnadatta track.
Doing it this way you can get home from Birdsville in a few long days via Windorah, Cunnamulla etc at the end of the trip if you run short of time.
AnswerID: 453985

Follow Up By: Ruth C - Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 12:04

Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 12:04
Hi Peter
You have some great suggestions also. I look forward to when we are old-hands at this and have been to all of these other places. Good things come to those who wait- so although I won't see them ALL this time I certainly have plenty to see. A backup plan is most important to us when we are taking others with us, so now the homework starts on plotting alternative routes. And maybe re-assessing our original plans.
Thanks
Ruth and Chris
0
FollowupID: 726897

Follow Up By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 15:51

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 15:51
Peter,
I agree with you about too short a time to do all that and the Simpson - I keepsaying that the Simpson is a destination not somewhere just to pass through in a hell of a hurry.
0
FollowupID: 727179

Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 20:11

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 20:11
Ruth how are you going? We're trying to get back out there this year but fast running out of time with everything going on.
People look at us as being weird when the answer to the question when we're in Birdsville " how long did you take to cross" is a "week" or "ten days". Nothing like camping out there in a swale for a few days before moving on to another spot and doing the same.

Peter
0
FollowupID: 727213

Follow Up By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 22:30

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 22:30
oh yes that's the way to go!
0
FollowupID: 727230

Follow Up By: Ruth C - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 19:34

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 19:34
Hi Ruth D
I would love to have more time to spend in the Simpson Desert but I am not sure I could go all that way and not at least have a little look, to temp the appetite and come back for more another time. We are considering doing the circuit French Line, Knolls Track, Rig Road, K1 Road and spending around 4 days to do it. Getting all the way over the Mt Dare will be too much of a rush. If weather and road conditions permit we might just stay a bit longer. Then head back down toward Broken Hill before heading home to Sydney. Although we would like to have more time, children/ school and work commitments restrict us for the moment.
There has been some terrific suggestions made above and we are making alternate trip itineraries just in case.
I am looking forward to the trip with much excitement.
Ruth and Chris
0
FollowupID: 727492

Sponsored Links