Family Station Wagon on Birdsville track, Cordillo Downs Etc.

G'Day Steven,
You've kind of answered your own question. The weather is the decider. On any "normal" year, I'd say no problems. This last year has been pretty unpredictable.

Having said that, the track, I believe is currently being graded in preperation for the races. The Birdsville Track part might be OK but the section down to Innaminka is still a bit rough.

Anyway...have a look at this bloke who tried the Birdsville Track in a station wagon during a wet year.

Birdsville Track in a Station Wgaon.

Fab.

if the weather is fine and there is no need for high clearance and 4WD, my only concern would be the tyres. Bound to have P (passenger) tyres and I would recommend LT be fitted for the trip.

Cheers

Captain

Had a friend do exactly the route you are suggesting in an early Commodore.
While in general it was a dry year he did stall in one small creek that had standing water resulting in 6" throughout the car. Up to Birdsville was not an issue but while cutting accross via Cordillo he tore half of the exhaust off then after Innamincka the air cleaner kept getting blocked until eventually the engine wouldn't go at all. Finnally got a tow into Tiboorburra where he had it cleaned out. He had quite a bit of stone damage & one puncture but was carrying 2 spares anyway.
Even on a good year this route is hard on a standard car & who's to say it won't rain up at the races while you're there like it has done previously?
Have fun. Craig.......

Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundG'day Steven, I did the whole length of the bv track in 1995 in my Falcon wagon when it was a goat track! 5 punctures from the gibbers (no extra ground clearance - see pic's) take some tubes with you. Have fun!! hoo roo

Wouldn't mind a dollar for every "I did it" photo taken in front of the pub after tackling the BV track. I got my first "I did it" photo last year in the wet with my Ford falcon BA RTV, but I didn't have my Warwick Capper shorts......a mate of mine did it years ago in a HQ statesman. I'm pretty shore he would of up-graded the tyres and he put a bit of a bash plate underneath the transmission. Where doing it the opposite way to you this year. It's agreat trip :-)

G'day Steven - in 1989 I was heading up the Birdsville track in my new nissan patrol feeling pretty invinsible when coming in the other direction was the Morris Minor car club - made me think why do you need a 4wd on that track ! Another trip up that way a few years later we stopped and talked to an old couple driving a 1964 toyota corona - he told us he'd travelled the track 5 times in the same car all with no punctures ! He still had the original spare in the boot - his advice "drive slowly and watch out for nasty rocks " Water will create your biggest problems !

Happy travelling and enjoy the trip !

Gazz