To think Charles Sturt traversed this country then decided to walk back through it because he was fascinated by the landscape, defies belief. Others may disagree but from my experiences these are my recommendations. And thirdly, theyve erected a giant sign warning that the speed limit is 50km/h in built-up areas. A call to Diamantina Council is good advice. The Loop Road crosses gibber plains then meanders along a series of watercourses for ages. Its the main link from the Strezlecki Track into the Cooper/Eromanga Basin oil and gas fields. It's a little under 400km between Windorah and Birdsville, and while much of the road is unsealed, it's a beautiful drive, achievable in a single day. Apparently it is a fine of $1,000 per wheel if you are caught on a closed road. [5] Widen and seal [ edit] A project to widen and seal two sections of road west of Charleville, at a cost of $6.65 million, was completed in March 2022. Any questions or comments? Think of Miles and think of wildflowers. The first is to head West from Tibooburra to Cameron Corner, then across to the Strezlecki Track, turn right, follow for ages, chuck a left and youre there. Your travels will take you close to or through the friendly villages of Rosewood, Marburg, Laidley, Forest Hill, Gatton, Grantham, and Helidon. But wait, theres more! It continues to intrigue many since it was first recorded at the Min Min Hotel, now a ruins, in the 1890s, when it appeared over a grave at the rear of the hotel which burnt down in the 1990s. Use caution when traversing a flooded creek as the road surface may have been damaged, submerged matter may not be visible and underlying currents may be swift. Of the 369km from Windorah to Birdsville towing a Sunland Patriot Caravan with Nissan Patrol Y62 we enjoyed the drive and found the Betoota Hotel was open. This drive is just under 40km and takes you into country youd never imagine existed out here. Theyd had a heavy fall of rain a few weeks before we drove through and water was lying around everywhere. Back on the road again. Will be leaving charleville. I carried a full back-pack, a couple of gallons of water on one crash-bar, and a jerry-can of fuel on the other side. don't worry about the distance from town as a bus run back and forth all day about every 30 mins. What Are The Specs to Run Hema Maps on iPad. Get the app: You can also call 13 19 40 for updates and alerts. Just make sure you take some spare fuel and water and try to avoid doing this trip in the wet season or at night. Do you plan to travel to, or within Australia? Given what we saw, there was no way we were going to take on the Coongie Lakes track. 088356 1874. At the Marine Reptile Fossil Display, youll see a wonderful collection of world-class fossils. Roll up and pay when council staff appear. A word of warning. Eromanga is home to the internationally recognised Eromanga Natural History Museum where you can meet Australias largest dinosaurs including Cooper and George, who are in the top 10 largest dinosaurs in the world. Although there is quite a lot of stony / gravel still out there it was a great trip. We had no idea the Cooper Creek basin and northwards is actually an ancient valley. Birdsville is a friendly place, and you shouldn't have any problems. Forlorn places, shimmering mirages, exactly what we expect the Australian Outback looks like. We chose to drive North from Tibooburra through Warri Gate on the NSW/QLD border, follow for a while, turn left onto Orientos Road, left onto Moomba Road and follow until you turn right to Innamincka. Birdsville to Windorah ch 88.7 - 264.7 See Diamantina Shire Council for Bedourie to Windorah ch 213.1 - 388.78 See Quilpie Shire Council for Quilpie to Windorah ch .00-174.96 Caution, drive to road conditions x x The Tibooburra to Innamincka road via Orientos Road is an adventure. Do you plan to travel to, or within Australia? We drive a Toyota Commuter minibus. This property is now part of Sturt National Park. So you ask me "What is beyond Birdsville?" Learn about and the Birdsville Beetle Car 4. very remote track. Do you think a Mazda 2 could do it safely, Hi I am on my way to Birdsville bash. BaSC x Drive to road conditions x Closed due to road damage 28/02/2023 . The Roadhouse - the Grand Central Station of Birdsville. This road links Birdsville and Windorah with markets in major centres across Australia. Its not often you get to see the desert like this. It is easy to spend a day or more in and around Eromanga. We loved the drive to Boulia, amazing countryside and history. We fitted new tyres A/T to both before heading off which included the Birdville and Oodnadatta tracks and The Plenty Highway (Track) then back to the Tropics. Be prepared, the detour might be a Travel safely. birds. (Windorah - Birdsville Turn off (Morney)) Birdsville Developmental Road The Waddi tree aroused explorer William John Wills interest, with seeds from the tree found in his diary after his death. Preferably bitumen . Driving from the South via the Birdsville Track: We are 520km North of Marree; this route is all unsealed and is a track (not a highway, road or even a street). There have been some bad collisions along here, with over-enthusiastic travellers forgetting about on-coming traffic at the crests of the dunes. Go to the Comments below or join us on Pinterest, Facebook or YouTube.Any errors or omissions are mine alone. Stretching across 507,000 hectares this outback national park, 183 km southeast of Boulia is home to many rare and threatened species and abundant birdlife including the rainbird, blackfaced cuckoo, lorikeets, brolgas and plain turkey/bustards. And that was it. These Waddi Trees Mitsubishi challenger. Its a seemingly never-ending vista of gibbers covering the landscape. The first southern section was a real surprise. The next stop, Miles, is only 45 kilometres further. Mostly sealed bitumen roads lead to you to new and exciting places, where the people are friendly and appreciative you've made the journey into their part of Australia, and the views different each step of the way. Rex Airlines flies to Boulia on their Western 2 Route from Brisbane to Toowoomba (Wellcamp) to Charleville to Quilpie to Windorah to Birdsville to Bedourie to Boulia to Mount Isa and return. Go to the Comments below or join us on Pinterest, Facebook or YouTube.Any errors or omissions are mine alone. Points of interest include the mirrored solar panels reflecting vibrant outback colours and the red sand hills, where you can watch the sunset from the crest of a magnificent red sand dune while sipping a glass of your favourite wine. Warri Gate Road is generally a good surface, just watch out for the sharp rocks waiting to damage your sidewalls. Around 50km before the turnoff, youll see the road into Haddon Corner which is about 15km each way. I plan on going to Birdsville on my Trike towing a teardrop camper. The term channel country refers to the intricate network of braided channels and waterholes that spread up to 80 kilometres across the landscape during flooding. you'll be fine. Day 3: Windorah to Birdsville and Back. One of the most worthwhile attractions in Mitchell is the Great Artesian Spa, the largest open-air spa in Australia. Once Australia's most hazardous stock route, the Birdsville Track is still an unsealed road but maintained so that you can travel in either a 4WD or SUV with a caravan or camper trailer. Clearly this is a major truck route. Youll need decent tyres. The Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre offers a historical display and the bank of the Diamantina River is a fantastic spot for fishing or enjoying a picnic. is the road from boulia to mt isa sealed. The bike was a BSA 250cc, four-stroke. Surprisingly, the track quickly drops down off the gibber country onto a vast floodplain. Just be careful. If you take the main Tibooburra Cameron Corner Road past Waka and Fort Grey, be aware it varies from good to downright horrible! Birdsville Hotel general manager Ben Fullagar said Birdsville remained accessible via road from the north, or via the airport. Rather than risk getting bogged up to our axles, we decided to camp on the western side of the first dune and walk to Haddon Corner. At the turn of the century the Kenniff brothers ruled the ranges around here. by Tony B Now only about 70 km of road remain unsealed, and the dirt Heres a few ways you can travel between Tibooburra and Innamincka. And the alternative routes are just as good. We were planning to go to Birdsville from Brisbane starting Sunday but noticed there are reports of flooding on the Birdsville development road. In the gardens is the Visitor Information Centre where they will be only too happy to fill you with activity suggestions for your visit, no matter how long it is for. You cross the QLD/SA border along here, although you wouldnt know it. After a hot day on the dusty Western 2 flight path to Boulia is highlighted in Orange. February 27, 2023 alexandra bonefas scott No Comments . ROAD CONDITIONS | VISIT BIRDSVILLE VISIT BIRDSVILLE ROAD CONDITIONS LOCAL ROADS SA OUTBACK ROADS QLD ROADS HOME In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which Birdsville was built. Picnic at beautiful Lake Houdraman, catch a yellow belly or some yabbies in the river or swim a few lazy laps of the Aquatic Centre. Find a Sturt Desert Pea wildflower 5. Rex Airlines flies to Boulia on their Western 2 Route from Brisbane to Toowoomba (Wellcamp) to Charleville to Quilpie to Windorah to Birdsville to Bedourie to Boulia to Mount Isa and return. After cresting the first dune, the swale between the dunes (over half a kilometre long) was covered in pools of water. Transport and motoring. Stop at the pub by the side of the road and youre likely to meet a local for a yarn. A couple of others had driven through, but theyd obviously had some problems in deep bog holes. Fishing the Ward River is popular in Charleville and with the local fishing club restocking the waters you can almost be assured of a catch. The road was open, and two other sets of wheel tracks meant we could avoid any bog holes. However, its a special place especially at sunset. The actual marker post at the corner was in the middle of a mini-lake. me, the black stump is rather in people's mind than a signpost of any The town's name means dust storm, and there are quite a few sand dunes around that can produce dust. Youll be amazed how much the country changes between Tibooburra and Innamincka from vast gibber plains to tall sand dunes and even vast shallow lakes after decent rain. (Commonwealth Development Employment Project) centre; visit the grand old Hotel Corones, the biggest outback pub in Australia, with its resident ghost; and at night take in the star-studded outback night sky at the Cosmos Centre. Road Conditions Report & other Travel Information, Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks Road Report. The wind has been blowing a gale all morning and has been collecting dust, by late afternoon it was quite brutal. Thats another reason why we were nervous about taking on the muddy track if wed have become bogged, there was no chance of anyone helping us out. Population: 115. With a cold beer, they are in no . The first is the well-known Cordillo Downs Road. Think porridge, soup . Its a long journey along this road. Hi Interested in driving to Birdsville Races in April 2022. Weve compiled these as if youre driving from Tibooburra to Innamincka. The surrounding flat-topped mesas hinted where the original tableland had been millions of years ago. This prime property was inhabited by marine reptiles such as the long-necked Plesiosaur, the Kronosaurus and the Lcthyosaur to name a few. least it was much lonelier. Note: This article contains an affiliate link to Camera House. We covered this part of the journey earlier, so I wont repeat myself here. In 2010 I was overtaken by a holden astra towing a camper trailer on these roads. I have been able to find information on the conditions of the road up to Windorah all bitumen. You can refuel at Innamincka, Birdsville or Windorah. is the road from boulia to mt isa sealed. I am new to caravanning and am yet to purchase our first van and tow vehicle. The other is Arrabury Road via Haddon Corner. Head north out of Tibooburra towards Warri Gate. But you can use these as a guide, no matter which direction you choose. The Diamantina Development Road between Boulia and Bedourie is now fully sealed. For movement within and around a local region, contact the regional permits office. Once you say goodbye to Morven, its only another 90 kilometres to Charleville. Be careful of the sand dunes. Windorah is an Aboriginal word meaning big fish, which is fitting given that there are huge yellowbelly cruising the depths of the Cooper Creek near Windorah. so now i dont move over till they are almost on top of me and they brake, then i move over and give a friendly wave as they go past at a more windscreen friendly speed. The channel country in Queensland's south-west is "black stump" country. The history of The Birdsville Track comes to life as we leave Marree and head north through Stations including Lake Harry, Clayton, Dulkaninna, Etadunna, Mulka, to . Lots of stone chips if lucky ( 5 my first trip ) now l just get way of the road when l see them comming , who needs a broken windscreen or window. Be prepared for breakdowns and make sure you carry enough water and food in case the worst happens. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome. The road varies from fantastic sandy road to a few deep sand sections to some pretty bad sections of corrugations. The Corner Country is a special place. i take it you are going to the races, so are we. The next stop on your journey along the Warrego sits right on top of the Great Dividing Range; Toowoomba. The city is blanketed in a kaleidoscope of blooms, with many private gardens open for viewing during the Carnival of Flowers Festival in September. A must for visitors to Miles is the Miles Historical Village where more than 20 buildings are open to the public. Can any one tell me how long it take to get from Windorah to Birdsville? Then with no moon, the stars blanketed the sky from horizon to horizon. With one eye on a huge rain system bearing down on inland Australia from the north-west, we decided to get out of there. Can anyone advise if it's safe and doable to drive from Windorah to Birdsville in a rear wheel drive vehicle I have a Mazda bravo 2004 in good mechanical condition I would appreciate some honest answers / regards norm. [2] However, each time weve been stopped due to wet weather. We took the Dig Tree Loop Road, which is a spectacular drive through ancient Mesa country on the northern side of Cooper Creek. diamantina road conditions. Driving through the Diamantina Shire is a surreal experience, passing extensive plains of red gibber on both sides of the road and intersected with flat flood plain areas that would be grasslands after a wet season. Located in far North-Western Queensland, a mere stone throw from the Queensland/Northern Territory border, this town may only have a population of around 440 but it packs its weight in things to see and do. Conditions change depending on weather and the time since it was last graded. If youd like to learn more about Sturts inland expedition, I highly recommend Sturts Desert Drama by Ivan Rudolph. For more information on Flood Recovery Permits (FRPs) and freight route information, contact the Flood Recovery Road Access Group: 1300 105 Imagine what life was like before the invention of the modern cons of today. As the sky turns black, take in the panorama of the thick blanket of stars that is a typical outback sky. Here you can watch and listen to stories told by the locals of droughts and floods in the wonderful water wall, marvel at the seven-metre-high steel bottle trees, which look magnificent at night, or wander the art gallery. But first, lets have a look at some of the ways you can travel from Tibooburra to Innamincka. Quilpie is a 210 kilometre drive from Charleville along the Warrego Way. And keep in mind, all these roads can vary from great to downright horrible! But with your experience, you obviously know what preparation you need to do and how to look after your vehicle. The above ruins are a good example of the kind of homesteads built by early settlers in Australia's remote regions. By all accounts, it crosses many creeks and black soil flood plains. Around 50km before the turnoff, you'll see the road into Haddon Corner which is about 15km each way. Current and upcoming forecast for Birdsville, courtesy of WillyWeather. Theres two ways you can travel from Innamincka, SA to Birdsville or Windorah in Western Queensland. 12 hours on the bike, 8 hours on gravel to Birdsville. When the season is favourable, the Murilla shire bursts into bloom. Youre on them before you realise and some of them are pretty deep. The silence is only broken by the howling wind and the sound of the Driving from the East: We are 382km west of Windorah, roughly 250km is an unsealed road. The journey begins along the Birdsville Developmental Road heading East towards Betoota and Windorah. Then we started along the track to Cullyamurra Waterhole, only to be faced with a long stretch of black soil covered in water. We recently 2 weeks ago travelled from Windorah to Birdsville and the road was good it is sealed from Windorah to the turn off then for the next approx 20 k. The unsealed section to Betoota was in good condition we towed a 21 ft van with no problems. Doing this trip in the middle of a mini-lake Birdsville and Windorah SA Birdsville. The dunes tableland had been millions of years ago, just watch out for the sharp rocks waiting damage! And black soil covered in pools of water that is a 210 drive... Windorah to Birdsville from Brisbane starting Sunday but noticed there are reports flooding. ; Toowoomba is a 210 kilometre drive from Charleville along the Warrego.... Rocks waiting to damage your sidewalls you say goodbye to Morven, its a seemingly never-ending of! 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