John Field Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 Hi Folks. I'm currently planning a trip to Lake Eyre and Uluru in July/August of this year, leaving from Brisbane. I'm wondering if any Kogers know of any suitable camping spots along the Oodnadatta Track where we can stay with reasonably easy access to Lake Eyre. Also We plan to visit Fink Gorge/ Palm Valley as well as Chambers Pillar and the East McDonnell Ranges. Was wondering which of these locations if any can we access with our 16ftX-Country van. Would we be better off leaving the van at Alice Springs and taking overnight trips to these areas? Any advice and information will be gratefully received. John Field 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merv and Di Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 Hi John and welcome to the forum. You are pretty limited for places to stay with easy access to Lake Eyre, William Creek to leave your van at if the road down to Halligan Bay camp ground is too rough or if passable down at the Bay itself. William Creek has light plane flights over the lake. Just remember you will need a Dessert Parks pass. Heaps of places to stay while travelling along the track at the old sidings and at Algebuckina Bridge, Coward Springs. All the others you shouldn't have any problems, just remember to drive to the conditions and drop your tyre pressures. Check out the road condition for the Oodnadatta Track prior to travel as it can be closed pretty quickly after rain. Marree Camel Races on the weekend of 9th July which could be of interest to you if you are starting from the southern end. All in all it should be a great trip for you. Cheers Merv 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neville and Kay Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 John A suggestion I would make is get the latest version of Camps Australia Wide with snaps as it is very helpful when travelling. Neville. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve and Kez Posted May 6, 2016 Report Share Posted May 6, 2016 Hi Guys, Ok…………… I am not sure which way you will be coming from but the must visits in the Flinders and Oodnadatta track are: Wilpeena Pound, but stay at Rawnsley Park Stn, which is about 30kms south of Wilpeena Pound. It is a great place to base yourself for a few days and do day tripsfrom. Book a powered site along the creek if you can as it will give you uninterrupted views of Rawnsley Bluff and the sunsets. Take some wood as they supply fireplaces. There are also a few nice walks on the property ……………Rawnsley Bluff is a bit steep but well worth the effort. While at Rawnsley Stn do the day drives of: The loop of Brachina Gorge and Parachilna Gorge with a lunch stop at the Prarie Hotel at Parachilna for lunch. Self drive of Willow Springs Station. This has a cost but is beautiful .It has a bit of 4wd bits and will take you all day so take a lunch. (You can also stay there now if you choose)There is also a place to see about 10kms on the R/H/S north of Rawnsley Stn called Sacred Canyon. It is a small walk in a gorge and has a bit of aboriginal art. If you wish to "Free camp" in the gorges, there are a couple of places to do so but check it out when you do the day drive. If you decide to stay in one of the National parks in the gorges, there is really only one with enough room for the van and it is big open spaces. I can't think of the name of the spot, but it is about10kms in on the Brachina gorge road, on the right hand side. It is beside a big dry creek bed and very beautiful. You can also have fires there too. When heading for the Oodnadatta track, the best way to cut across is the Parachilna Gorge road (you can decide). Once at Parachilna, turn right and just follow the signs. It might be a good idea to overnight somewhere before you get to Farina Stn as you should get there by 3.00 to get the choice of the best spots (your choice). If you get to Farina Stn, early, there is plenty to see to fill the day/days in. Just before Leigh Ck there is a nice spot to stop at. It is the town water supply and it is a beautiful spot and it hasplenty of room for the van to move through. The turn off will be on your L/H/S. There is a caravan park at Liegh Ck which is Ok and the pub has a great feed too. There is also another van park about 5 kmspast Leigh Ck called Copley. It too has a van park and the pub there has a fantastic (country pub) feed and there is a good pie shop there too and is famousfor their Quondong pies. I would recommend staying here over Liegh Ck. Farina Stn is only about 70kms from Copley and there is 28 kms of dirt starting from Lyndhurst. There is not a lot to see around Lyndhurst. (Lyndhurst is actually in the middle of Farina Station). Faria Stn would be one of the best camping areas is SA Outback Donkey showers and flushing loos and grassed camp sites. If you don't have timber, you can buy sleepers from the owners Once at Farina Stn head to the camp groundand set up as to can walk to all the sites of interest (the ruins, cemetery,old railway bridge). The owners are Kevin and Anne Dawes …………… say G'day if you see them as they are really great people. You may even find that the bakery is open. If it is, it has the best cream buns in the world. The next stop to think about is: Mulcoorina Station is a beautiful spot but you will have to backtrack (but worth it if time permits). Turn right about 2kms west of Maree and travel 50 kms (all good dirt roads) It is beautiful. It has a large waterway and plenty of birdlife. When you get there you will come to the small toilet block, look to your right and you will see a single date palm in the distance. Just past there is a beautiful camp spot at the very end of the road and has plenty of room to turn the van around. You have to take your own wood for the fire. You will have to back track for this spot too. Clayton Station, 50kms up the Birdsville track is also good and has an excellent outdoor bore spa The next spotalong the Oodnadatta track is Coward Springs …………….. a must. It has a thermal bore pool and is wonderful. You can have fires there also On the way to William Creek there are a few things to see along the way if you choose.William Creek Hotel is a must for lunch and then onto Oodnadata. Oodnadatta tothe hwy is the Painted desert and it is spectacular. Guys I hope this helps and if you need any additional info , give us a call as we have extensively traveled and worked in the whole area you are looking to travel in and have a lot more info if required Hope it can help you Steve 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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