the oodnadatta track and a subi...?

batesy · Post by **batesy** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:17 pm

anyonnne done it? how hardcore is it? or isnt it?
goin to the alice in july and thinking of goin via oodnadatta..
then goin to ularu, kings canyon and palm valley...

any advice appreciated...
cheers

timmo · Post by **timmo** » Sun May 25, 2008 10:00 pm

not hardcore at all. My family did it in 1992 in a completely stock L series. Its a good trip great camping spots next to the old ghan railway. If it hasnt been graded for a while might be a bit corrugated but its a good road.

batesy · Post by **batesy** » Mon May 26, 2008 8:05 am

no worries thanks timmo, how far is it between oodnadatta and next main town in terms of will i need extra fuel etc?
i think i will carry spare fuel anyway, but good to know...
cheers

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:49 am

Next town, you mean Alice, well you can go the whole way on unsealed roads via Old Andado, did it in '92,in a L series, I carried enough fuel for 1200km+ (4xjerrys)
Carry at least 2 spare tyres + tyre changing equip.
Along Oodnadatta track, concur there is heaps of good camping off the road,
wonder how much of the old railway sleepers are left for the campfire these days?
Watch out you don't camp on a ant nest, they are mighty aggressive out there:mrgreen:
Do the side tour to Dalhousie Springs, great place to relax at for a few days -
enjoy,take your time, its a holiday ain't it?

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:52 am

when I was 4 years old my insane old man took us up the oodnadatta in an XE falcon towing a caravan!

it got so soft around lake eyre that he wasnt game to stop for a look in case we couldnt get moving again. Gusty effort i reckon.

My point: if an XE can do it towing a van, an L will do it easily.

batesy · Post by **batesy** » Mon May 26, 2008 7:38 pm

cheers guys, doesnt sound like a problem then...
might just check out dalhousie springs mate thanks for the tip, also wanna check out the parachilna pub, its sposed to be a goodn...
cheers

batesy · Post by **batesy** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:38 pm

well guys, starting to get my stuff together for our trip in july, just purchased a EPIRB, hopefully wont need it but ya never know, and am currently building a dual rear wheel carrier for the subi, ill post some pics when done,
gettin pretty excited bout this trip now, cant wait...

cheers

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:10 pm

done it twice, both times in an unlifted L-Series with provisions, fuel etc for 2 people / 3 weeks.

Once in the rain...now that was very 'hardcore'.

Remoteness is the issuse - there is not much out there(!) and do not think to depend on the locals for assistance - while generous (lke most country folk) they are fast becoming sick of 'tourists' and their emergencies due to a lack of knowledge, respect or planning.

A bit like the Simpson - had more mechanical issues just getting there as apposed to the actual crossing!

Goodluck - a most cool expedition!

sven

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 10:13 am

batesy wrote:well guys, starting to get my stuff together for our trip in july, just purchased a EPIRB, hopefully wont need it but ya never know, and am currently building a dual rear wheel carrier for the subi, ill post some pics when done,
gettin pretty excited bout this trip now, cant wait...

cheers

what do you think you'll need the EPIRB for ? if you get stuck by the road/track? Oodnadatta track has many travelers every day, the old andado track perhaps less frequent, in any case you should plan to be self sufficient for a week at least. Using an EPIRB for stuck situations will just add fuel to the fire of outback tourists not knowing what they are doing and causing huge expense for so called "rescue".So just be considerate of its use. If your that worried maybe you should consider a sat phone.

batesy · Post by **batesy** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 11:43 am

yeah mate not planning to ue it on a whim, just a good thing to have, i am pretty aware of the need to be self sufficent, and wasnt planning on useing it for a flat tyre, just think it is wise to be prepared... sorry if thts the wrong thing to do....
cheers

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 12:33 pm

batesy wrote:cheers guys, doesnt sound like a problem then...
might just check out dalhousie springs mate thanks for the tip, also wanna check out the parachilna pub, its sposed to be a goodn...
cheers

Yes, parachilna pub great place to eat, drink, shower and revive yourselves.

Whilst you're in the area, check out Bilman, due east of parachilna. Really is the road less travelled, like going back in time. Watch for rain though - the 'road' essentially runs through and along the gorges, and the creek crossings at night can be 'a little interesting'.

If the gods are kind, take the back track to Wilpenia - make a day of it and stop for lunch along the way, really is great country - makes you remember how cool Australia is.

sven

batesy · Post by **batesy** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:11 pm

no worries thanks sven

esray71 · Post by **esray71** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:43 pm

Mate, enjoy the trip and show us the pics when you get back!

plucky · Post by **plucky** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:56 pm

Why not return via the Plenty highway, Birdsville & Innaminka?

batesy · Post by **batesy** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:29 pm

yeah mate thats a possibility, but not sure if i will run out of time as it is, got two weeks off, and still wanna be able to relax a bit, not too rushed if ya know wat i mean,

cheers

dibs · Post by **dibs** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:18 am

lucky bugger have a safe and stunning wonderful trip done a lot of travelling
but havent done that one looking forward to it one day though u will be fine
stay safe and have a beer in that pub for me and dibs cheers matey

batesy · Post by **batesy** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:34 pm

ok fellas, just startin to pack now for the trip, leavin sat lunchtime, plan is from melb to renmark. stay night the off to parachilna and maree... then oodnadatta track and on to alice and surrounds....
cheers fellas
ill post some pics when i return...

batesy

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:42 pm

lucky bugger. good luck!

dylan · Post by **dylan** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:06 pm

this is what our experience was down the oodnadatta track, it was raining and took us about 4hrs to get from oodnatta to cooberpeady, very slow going.

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:26 am

so..... did you make it !???