Oodnadatta 2013

[MolongMick]

Okay planning is underway for our first major trip with the Expand a, kids, bikes and BT50.

A minimum of 4100km at the moment, this is just towing the van, then include side trips on top of that.

So this is a rundown of the trip:

Day 1, Starting in Molong head off to Cobar
Day 2, Cobar to Silver ton, staying at penrose park
Day 3-6 stay in Silverton for a St John cadet camp
Day 7 head off to Rawnsely park station in the Flinders Ranges.
Days 8-9 spend time exploring the ranges.
Day 10 head north to Copley where we will stay the night
Day 11 drive to marree, where we will visit a few tourist attractions
Day 13 travel north to Priscilla creek for a camp
Day 14 continue to Algebuckina water hole for an overnight camp
Day 15 Pull up in Oodnadatta.
Day 18 head west to Aloorina creek, maybe camp, drive through the Painted Desert.
Day 19 Pull up in Cober Pedy
Day 22 travel south to Woomera
Day 24 travel south to Port Augusta
Day 25 East to Broken Hill
Day 26 travel to Cobar
Day 28 Arrive back home.


Any thoughts concerns about this trip?

Is there any one intereseted in joining us?

 

[leesy]

Are you spending time driving the track? William creek is interesting, Farina ruins and Maree too are worth a visit.

 

[MolongMick]

Are you spending time driving the track? William creek is interesting, Farina ruins and Maree too are worth a visit.

Hi Paul, We tend to drive the track driving about 100-150km/day, which will give us some time to look at things along the way.
I've given myself extra time at ceratin spots to make up for time spent looking/sidetracked along the way.
Marree is on the list of stops.

 

[Turtle]

Hi Paul, We tend to drive the track driving about 100-150km/day, which will give us some time to look at things along the way.
I've given myself extra time at ceratin spots to make up for time spent looking/sidetracked along the way.
Marree is on the list of stops.

Good pub at Marree!!!

 

[leesy]

Coward Springs is the pick of camping spots, a beautiful place, good facilities and a hot spring pool to boot! We were there 5 weeks ago, we also followed the grader from William Creek to the Coober Pedy turn off so hopefully they have completed the whole track as it shook the tail lights out of the Patrol!!
Enjoy!!

 

[Turtle]

How do you mean took the tail lighs out? What happened?

Any water in Lake Eyre still?

I'm heading that way late Sept, early Oct.

Apparently there is water out there some where!!!

 

[leesy]

How do you mean took the tail lighs out? What happened?

Any water in Lake Eyre still?

I'm heading that way late Sept, early Oct.

Yes still plenty of water to see in the lake, the corrugations were so bad that the screws in both of the rear tail lights located in the bumper worked themselves out and the lights fell out swinging on the cable! Ive done bumpy before and the Oodnadatta before too but never as bumpy as that... I asked the question on patrol 4x4 forum and they are known to do that with extreme corrugations, its fair to say it shook the don't be rude out of everything and everyone but the Expanda 14.49.4 did great and it was 5 days old when we did this trip!!
Cheers

 

[randl007]

We did the Birdsville track in September last year and went to lake eyre from Maree again the corrugations were bad and I lost a spottie. Apparently the water was there however we were told it would be a two to three hour walk in 38 degree heat its not that important. Lots to see and do in Broken hill as well. Have fun we have a Cape trip planned for 2013 and its great to see someone else planning well ahead

 

[MolongMick]

Thanks, I'm expecting lots of corrugations on the track, which is fine, I'll lower the tyre pressures and drive slower.

I'm looking for advice things to see and do with three kids too.

The kids travel very well, so travelling is not an issue.

 

[leesy]

i should mention that we saw lots of water in the south lake, we drove straight up to it had lunch looking a the glisning water, we did not make the trip up into the north.

 

[MolongMick]

I doubt there will be much water in the southern lake when we get there next year, but we will stop on the side and have a look.

 

[coled1970]

Hey Mick looks like a good trip. When where you thinking of doing it? Might be interested as a tag along, will just depend on when your going.

Cheers

 

[MolongMick]

Hey Mick looks like a good trip. When where you thinking of doing it? Might be interested as a tag along, will just depend on when your going.

Cheers

Hi Colin,

We plan to be in Broken hill for a St John Amulance Cadet camp (daughter and myself are members) on the 18th to 20th/21st of April, this is when we will start the main trip.
So meeting up at Broken Hill, or my place in Molong wouldn't worry me.
A few days in Broken hill is welll worth it any how if you haven't been there before.

PM me for contact number if you wish to discuss.

 

[cruza driver]

Sounds like you have it all sorted Mick.

When staying at the Flinders Ranges and at Rawnsley Park there is plenty to see, a walk into Wilpena Pound, a walk into Sacred Canyon plus visits to Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge. The 2 gorges are on the way to Parachina which are on the way toward Maree. You should be able to tow the Expanda through there too.

Copely is ok...ish the Cp is on the edge of the road. We headed to Farina from Hawker and stopped at Parachilna Pub for moring tea and the lookout over the mine at Leigh Creek.
http://www.farinastation.com.au/camping/

The Oodnatta track is one big attraction is itself with ruins and thermal springs oh and Lake Eyre. We stayed at Coward Springs like others but it can get busy so after 3-4 pm. It was a highlight of our tripo we spent to nights there.

We based our selves at William Creek and drove out to Haligan Bay (Lake Eyre North) its 64 k's of corrugations but it was worth the trip to see the Lake and birdlife. (you can camp there too)
http://www.williamcreekhotel.net.au/

From there we went through the Painted Desert and stayed at a station called Arkaringa. only for one night but we will go back and stay longer. The track through the Painted Desert is soft in places from Oodnatta as you drive through along creek beds and gets narrow past the homestead but not overgrown so care needs to be taken on the crests.
http://www.thepainteddesert.com.au/contact.

We went north from here via Cadney to Alice Springs. Coober Pedy is a place people either like or not but we have enjoyed it each time we have been and stayed there.

If you have any questions I'll see if I can answer them for you. Here is a trip report from last year its starts on post#49
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/111-Cruza-Drivers-OUTBACK-EXPANDA-16-49-3/page5

 

[randl007]

Thanks, I'm expecting lots of corrugations on the track, which is fine, I'll lower the tyre pressures and drive slower.

I'm looking for advice things to see and do with three kids too.

The kids travel very well, so travelling is not an issue.

I have 4 kids 13,11,9,4 and I asked them what I should recommend about Broken Hill. They said DAYDREAM MINE and I had to use capitals. That was a must. The milk bar and Railway museum as well. The living desert got a boring from the teenager. If your going in Septembet then they have their show on but i cannot remeber when it was.
Hope this helps with some of the sights in Broken hill at least.

 

[cruza driver]

Yep Daydream Mine is a must do too!!

 

[Feldty]

The pro hart art gallery is worth a look for the adults.

 

[MolongMick]

I have 4 kids 13,11,9,4 and I asked them what I should recommend about Broken Hill. They said DAYDREAM MINE and I had to use capitals. That was a must. The milk bar and Railway museum as well. The living desert got a boring from the teenager. If your going in Septembet then they have their show on but i cannot remeber when it was.
Hope this helps with some of the sights in Broken hill at least.

Thanks for the heads up on the Mine, might leave that for the way home, or maybe the first day, anyhow the kids will get to see it.

Sounds like you have it all sorted Mick.

When staying at the Flinders Ranges and at Rawnsley Park there is plenty to see, a walk into Wilpena Pound, a walk into Sacred Canyon plus visits to Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge. The 2 gorges are on the way to Parachina which are on the way toward Maree. You should be able to tow the Expanda through there too.

Copely is ok...ish the Cp is on the edge of the road. We headed to Farina from Hawker and stopped at Parachilna Pub for moring tea and the lookout over the mine at Leigh Creek.
http://www.farinastation.com.au/camping/

The Oodnatta track is one big attraction is itself with ruins and thermal springs oh and Lake Eyre. We stayed at Coward Springs like others but it can get busy so after 3-4 pm. It was a highlight of our tripo we spent to nights there.

We based our selves at William Creek and drove out to Haligan Bay (Lake Eyre North) its 64 k's of corrugations but it was worth the trip to see the Lake and birdlife. (you can camp there too)
http://www.williamcreekhotel.net.au/

From there we went through the Painted Desert and stayed at a station called Arkaringa. only for one night but we will go back and stay longer. The track through the Painted Desert is soft in places from Oodnatta as you drive through along creek beds and gets narrow past the homestead but not overgrown so care needs to be taken on the crests.
http://www.thepainteddesert.com.au/contact.

We went north from here via Cadney to Alice Springs. Coober Pedy is a place people either like or not but we have enjoyed it each time we have been and stayed there.

If you have any questions I'll see if I can answer them for you. Here is a trip report from last year its starts on post#49
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/111-Cruza-Drivers-OUTBACK-EXPANDA-16-49-3/page5

Thanks for this infor CD, this is what I'm after.
I have looked at many of these places via the WWW, and they are on the list of places to see, thanks for confirming these for me.

I am now more than excited for this trip to happen. Bring on 2013

The pro hart art gallery is worth a look for the adults.

I love ProHart, not sure the kids will enjoy it, though they did enjoy looking at John Murrays gallery in Lighning Ridge at Easter.
Will put this on the list too.

 

[Moto Moto]

Looks liek a great trip Mick. Will be a great test for the new BT

Looks like some great tips from CD and the others. They are a wealth of knowledge, and always so generous to share it. Awesome! :thumb:

 

[coled1970]

Hi Colin,

We plan to be in Broken hill for a St John Amulance Cadet camp (daughter and myself are members) on the 18th to 20th/21st of April, this is when we will start the main trip.
So meeting up at Broken Hill, or my place in Molong wouldn't worry me.
A few days in Broken hill is welll worth it any how if you haven't been there before.

PM me for contact number if you wish to discuss.

Thanks Mick, i'm not sure about work at the present but will contact you later in the year if it looks like we can join you. Thanks for the offer.

Cheers