All tracks listed below will have sections of damage caused by the recent rain.  Expect rough conditions and travel with caution.

Drive carefully on all Outback roads even if they have been graded. For up to date closures of SA roads go to www.transport.sa.gov.au/quicklinks/northern_roads/area2.asp

ROAD CONDITIONS

KULGERA – FINKE
An easy run on a good wide road,  watch out for dips and washouts at floodways. (2 hr 150 km)

LAMBERT CENTRE
The 12km drive is slow and a bit sandy; allow at least an hour to return to the Kulgera – Finke rd. There’s a flag pole that looks like it belongs in Canberra and marks the geographical centre of Aus, and a long drop toilet, this should stop the toilet paper confetti from decorating the bush.  This track is not maintained and is passable by 4x4 only. (1 hr, 24 km).

ALICE – FINKE (OLD GHAN TRACK)
The Finke Desert Race is held on the Queens Birthday weekend in June.
Beware of severe washouts along the railway line/road, watch out at creeks and dips. Rough and corrugated from Rodinga Siding to Finke on the old railway line, slow and undulating whoops along the old road now the “Finke Desert Race Track”, this section is not maintained.  Use caution at the Finke River crossing, possible water and soft sand may require lower tyre pressures.  Beware of oncoming traffic; beware of abandoned cars, severe washouts & rutting where the race track crosses the main track. 4x4 necessary. (5 hr, 220 km). 

ALICE – OLD ANDADO
Rain affected again and currently CLOSED.  This should only be for another week or so, again.

Now also known as the Binns track. The drive through the Rodinga Range is quite spectacular in the morning or afternoon. This is definitely a worthwhile alternative way to go south (or north) and the Mac Clark reserve is only a short detour to see the Waddy trees, (Australia's rarest tree). Watch out for possible bulldust sections or washouts near Allambi and rain damage north of Old Andado, high clearance 4x4 recommended.  Add 1 hr if visiting the Waddy trees, (4.5 hr, 320 km).

OLD ANDADO – MT DARE

Molly's Bash is on Mothers Day weekend in May each year, come along and have a great night with entertainment and food while raising money to maintain the Old Andado Homestead. Molly Clark pops in throughout the year from time to time; you are welcome to have a look around or camp. Please leave a donation in the jar in the kitchen. The old homestead is like a living museum.

The start of what is now also known as the Binns track, this is one of the Outback’s picturesque drives through the Finke River floodout, it is accessible with caution to to recent rain and flooding.  Watch out for Cattle. There are many gates, leave them as you find them, this section is not maintained, high clearance 4x4 is essential... (2.5 hr, 100 km). 

FINKE – MT DARE
Recent rain again will find water on the road in places, use care and divert only on dry detours, don't drive through areas offroad that may still be wet.

Use caution at creek crossings and stay on the road, crossings are usually firm and rocky.  Slow down for oncoming traffic, beware of washouts.  There are no services or fuel available for the public at New Crown Station.  Watch out for Cattle and leave gates as you find them, New Crown-Andado and Andado-Border gates MUST be closed at all times. UHF repeater channel 6 covers this area. (2 hr, 100 km)

Finke is an alcohol free Aboriginal community; there are no services for travelers except for the Finke community store which has limited hours. Mt Dare Hotel has fuel and is licensed, take away alcohol is available, fuel & supplies are also available at Maryvale Stn Store.

MT DARE – DALHOUSIE SPRINGS

Recent rain will again find water on the road in places, use care and divert only on dry detours, don't drive through areas offroad that may still be wet.

Take care and slow down in rutted sections, beware of washouts.  There are no shops or fuel available at Dalhousie Springs; but there are two dumps for your rubbish.   Dalhousie Pass or Desert Parks Pass are needed for this area, you can purchase one at the Mt Dare Hotel or Oodnadatta's Pink roadhouse. UHF repeater channel 6 covers some of this area. (1 ¼ hr 70 km)

CAMP FIRES ARE PERMITTED AT Mt DARE, IN THE WITJIRA & SIMPSON DESERT NATIONAL PARKS, PLEASE COLLECT FIREWOOD BEFORE YOU ARRIVE. No pets are permitted at Dalhousie or in the Simpson Desert.

MT DARE – HAMILTON Stn – OODNADATTA (via Eringa Waterhole)

Beware of washouts and rutting caused by flowing water, use caution at creeks.  Beware of cattle & on-coming traffic traveling over the Sand hills just south of Hamilton Homestead.  Eringa Waterhole is a nice spot for a rest and a notice board outlines some Kidman history, (his first property) look after this area as it is a privaledge to use it, watch out for Cattle. No pass needed for this track. UHF repeater channel 6 covers some of this area. (5 hr, 250 km) 

DALHOUSIE – HAMILTON Stn (via Pedirka ruins) CLOSED
There are some liability isssues that are currently being discussed resulting in this track being temporarily closed, the gate at the Witjira Park boundary is locked.   Access to Dalhousie is only possible via Eringa & Bloods Creek on the Mt Dare road. Conditions for it are as follows.

Access to the Dalhousie ruins is still possible from the Dalhousie end only, a locked gate is located 35km from Dalhousie Springs.

This is always a slow, rough track and is not maintained take care and slow down in rutted sections as this track is the cause of many roll overs and broken trailers, Dalhousie Pass or a Desert Parks Pass is needed for this area. 4x4 ONLY. (2 hr 85 km).

NOTE:
Drop your tyre pressure by at least 20% (from highway pressure) for travel on these outback tracks (or until they bulge a little), the risk of tyre damage is greatly reduced and you will have better traction. Please leave ALL gates as you found them, in a convoy make this clear to the last vehicle through the gate. Slow down for oncoming traffic or when being overtaken, in the interest of safety or a broken windscreen.

There has been another trailer abandoned on this track, trailers that are not purpose built for tough off road conditions are deffinately NOT recomended, leave the 6'x4' garden traler home and hire a decent one! Check out www.mtdare.com.au vehicle preparation for more tips.

DRIVING TIP
Slow down in rutted sections (caused by a vehicle’s wheels after rain), this is the cause of many roll overs; avoid driving at night as animals, sharp corners and road damage are hard to see. Slow down when driving through puddles and creeks, excess speed is of no benefit and can cause water to enter the air intake of the engine. 

SIMPSON DESERT

THE SIMPSON DESSERT'S REGIONAL AND CONSERVATION RESERVE'S ARE CLOSED FROM DECEMBER 1st  UNTIL MARCH 15th EACH YEAR. IT IS AN OFFENCE TO ENTER OR CROSS THE SIMPSON DESERT DURING THIS PERIOD.

DALHOUSIE SPRINGS – PURNI BORE

This track is slow and very rough and sandy in places.  A Desert Parks Pass is needed for this area including the Simpson. (2hr 70 km).

ROCKS ROAD – OODNADATTA
PERMANENTLY CLOSED don’t use this track at all unless you have permission from the Oodnadatta Police. 8670 7805

FRENCH LINE, PURNI – POEPPEL CORNER
Purni to Wonga junction has seen more and more sand drifts blow over the track this year and dunes are becomming more like the French Line with very sharp rises or drop offs. The French Line is the most demanding track and has very soft sand it's slow going all the way (15–20 km/h) and has been getting rougher over the years; reduced tyre pressures are essential.  Poeppel salt lake may be impassible for some weeks requiring in a detour around it to the north, or a walk accross it.  Spectacular photos of the water from on top of a sand dune can be achieved.

Scalloping is contributed to mostly by vehicles with incorrect tyre pressure along with towing trailers or driving in 2wd, trailers of any kind are NOT recommended on the French Line (use the Rig rd). It’s very important to CHECK YOUR TYRE PRESSURE (15 – 22 psi). This is the most demanding and difficult track in the Simpson, west to east is a bit easier though, DEFINITELY USE 4x4. (16 hr, 195 km).

RIG ROAD & K1, PURNI – POEPPEL CORNER
This track is the least demanding but has been deteriorating over the years and becoming quite rough; with many sand drifts and with its clay capping slowly breaking up, travel is becomming more difficult.  Care must be taken when cresting sand dunes, this track has corrugations, deep washouts & rutting. Sand dunes between the Knolls track and the K-1 Line are more difficult to cross especially from the west, single vehicle travel or trailers are not recommended in this section. The K1 is a good run (16 hr, 399 km).

Warburton track is still CLOSED through to the Birdsville track due to flooding and may not reopen at all this year. Call the Mungerannie Hotel and say g'day to Phil for more info 08 8675 8317.

WAA LINE & KNOLLS TRACK, PURNI – POEPPEL CORNER
This has the same soft and sandy conditions as the French Line but with smaller dunes and very picturesque after rain.  The salt lake at the end of the WAA Line may be impassible requiring a detour around it to the north.  The knolls track has been severly effected by wind and sand drifts, it's extremely hard to identify in places, to lose sight of this track is possible.  While in this area take a look at the Lone Gum and the Knolls; this is a scenic but fragile part of the Simpson, please stay on the track if you can find it. USE 4x4. (16 hr, 237 km).

QAA LINE, POEPPEL CORNER – BIRDSVILLE OPEN with caution due to flooding

The southern detour of the Eyre Creek is now open.

The Eyre Creek detour is still flowing at about .3m, allowing carefull travel by experienced, high clearance 4x4's in convoy.  The Southern detours are 1km & 6km journeys.  The main channel at the QAA Line is still impassable and flowing at 1.0m.  Conditions are as follows.

The K-1 salt lake maybe passible with caution, or there is a detour to the north around it, (10km approx).   Travel is just like the French Line only the sand dunes get bigger and further appart, with the biggest dune being BIG RED. There is a detour around this giant dune if you can’t get over it, (don’t kill yourself trying) cross over at Little Red. There is also a lot of water around Big Red on the Birdsville side, this will require a detour around it to the south (10km aprox).  Take care at salt lakes as they can be a bit wet; drive in existing wheel tracks only. USE 4x4. (6 ½ hr, 170 km) + (1hr and 10km for the Big Red Detour)

NOTE:

The Simpson is a dangerous place if you are not well prepared. It is recommended to have a Sat-phone or HF radio as well as extra water, a UHF, fuel and supplies, a flag is compulsory. 

Towing trailers accross the Simpson is strongly discouraged, it's very difficult, hard on the vehicle and trailer resulting in frequent bogging.  Exceptional skill and a powerfull vehicle with lower tyre pressures are necessary, possibly as low as 14PSI.  Having to dig or be towed out of a bog is a certanty testing freindships with the burden.  Some people still persist with towing their trailer and the result can be costly if it goes wrong, take this advice and leave the trailer at Birdsville or Mt Dare if you are not very experienced.

You should allow at least 3-4 full days to cross the Simpson, make sure you have a Desert Parks Pass, a flag that can be seen, eg; 2.5 m high above the bull bar and a UHF radio on channel 10.  Sat Phones can be hired from or dropped off at the Mt Dare Hotel and the Birdsville info centre. PLEASE TAKE RUBBISH WITH YOU AND BURN ALL TOILET PAPER, so it doesn’t blow around in the wind. It may be necessary to pick up someone else’s rubbish, what are they thinking? You can deposit rubbish in the dumps at the Dalhousie Springs or Birdsville.

Desert tracks are not maintained so take care, conditions can change rapidly, esspecially in windy conditions or rain. CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE Start at 20 psi rear & 18 psi front, “hot” and reduce further if you have difficulty, maybe as low as 15psi in some cases.  You have a 4X4 use it, this is a 4WD track, select 4wd.  For advice on how much fuel to take or any other questions about Outback travel just call or E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , advice is free, recovery is not.

Go to www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/visitorinformation/latest/index.htm and click on the link for more information about Desert Parks SA. More info about QLD Parks at http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/simpson-desert/about.html

WEATHER

Warmer days with temperatures around 20- 26 deg, the nights are cold, around 3-8 deg. Take plenty of blankets and a jacket for night time.
Last rain was on 20th of August with 1.8mm recorded at Mt Dare and 204mm so far this year.  98.2mm was recorded for 2009 and there was 151.1mm for 2008.

EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THIS INFORMATION BULLETIN, CONDITIONS CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY SO USE COMMON SENSE AND TAKE CARE. Travel times are only a guide, drive according to the conditions at all times.

This Bulletin was prepared By David Cox with information gathered from many sources, including tourist feedback, care and common sense should always be used. Further information is available by contacting MT DARE HOTEL:

Ph- 08 8670 7835
Web: www.mtdare.com.au
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mail: PMB 267, Alice Springs NT 0872