TOURING AREAS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
THE BIRDSVILLE TRACK
MAJOR TOWNS:
MARREE, BIRDSVILLE

A full list of towns will be found below
The 514km. Birdsville Track is one of Australia's best known Outback adventures. The unsealed track goes from Marree in South Australia's mid-north, to Birdsville in the south-western corner of Queensland through some of Australia's driest country.
Starkly beautiful and challenging for car and driver, the track passes between the Simpson and Sturt's Stony Deserts, past Lake Eyre, and west of the Innamincka Regional Reserve.
Most of the track is through the Strzelecki Desert and those wishing to do the trip must take adequate provisions of water, food, petrol and basic spare parts like spare fan-belts, radiator hoses, spark plugs and other parts which might seem unnecessary at the time, but can be invaluable if you are stuck hundreds of kilometres from the nearest service station. An additional spare tyre is also recommended.
The track used to be only accessible to 4 wheel drive vehicles, but recently it has been maintained to a degree where most vehicles can travel along it. These days the road is frequently graded to provide reasonable surfaces for travellers and the many beef cattle transport trucks which use it. As with most outback regions of Australia, the road can be cut suddenly by heavy rains which fall from time to time and cause usually dry rivers to flash flood. This can sometimes result in being stranded between rivers for up to a week so adequate supplies of food and water should be taken as a precaution Corrugations form on all outback road surfaces and will sometimes make the trip uncomfortable, not to mention, unsafe. You will discover a speed which is safe and comfortable on most roads.
If you are planning to do this adventurous journey you can obtain up to the minute information on conditions from the
Northern Area Road Condition Hotline on 1300 361 033

DO's AND DO NOT 's FOR OUTBACK TRAVEL

  • Before leaving, always notify a friend or somebody responsible that you are leaving, and what time you expect to arrive. Ask them to wait a reasonable time for you to contact them after your arrival at your destination before they notify authorities you are missing. Be sure to contact them to let them know you have arrived safely.
  • Make sure your car is roadworthy and you have basic spare parts, a tow rope, extra spare tyre and an adequate tool kit.
  • Be sure you have adequate supplies of water and food in case you get isolated by flash floods.
  • Be sure you have adequate fuel and spare oil and brake fluid to carry you an additional several hundred kilometres. Low gear work on slippery surfaces or through sand can use up petrol rapidly. Brake lines and oil sumps can be easily holed by loose rocks on unsealed surfaces.
  • Do not leave the main road or leave your vehicle if you break down, no matter how hopeless the situation may seem. Yor car provides shelter and is easier spotted by searchers than a walking figure. These days there are usually a couple of dozen vehicles a day using outback tracks and you shouldn't need to wait too long before help comes.
  • Leave areas where you might camp as you found them. Take your rubbish with you or put it in a bin if it is provided.
  • Do not use soap or detergents in outback waterholes.
  • Make sure any fires you use are properly extinguished.
  • Always close gates you may have to open.
  • Campers in National Parks or Conservation areas will need a permit or Desert Parks Pass. Telephone: (61 8) 8648 5328 for information.

    • FURTHER INFORMATION:
    DEH Information Line Office
    Level 1, 100 Pirie Street, Adelaide
    Phone: (61 8) 8204 1910

    NDEH Outback Regional Office
    9 Mackay Street, Port Augusta
    Phone: (61 8) 8648 5328

    Wilpena Pound Visitor Information Centre
    Flinders Ranges National Park Phone: (61 8) 8648 0048

    SOME TIPS IF YOU ARE REALLY STUCK:
    In the event you are stranded in an isolated area and are aware there is a search.
    Build a mound of sand or stones and break your rear vision mirror. Place the pieces around the mound facing as many directions as possible. The reflection from the mirror could be easier spotted from a distance. Use another mirror to signal in the direction of any plane you may hear.
    If you have destroyed a tyre beyond use, pouring petrol on it and setting alight will create a pall of black smoke which can be seen from quite a distance.
    If there are rocks or other materials available you can use them to make a large S.O.S. on the ground near your car.
    Water can usually be obtrained by digging a hole and stretching transparent plastic across the top, sealing it around the edges with dirt. A small pebble placed in the centre will direct condensed moisture from the earth to a container placed under the pebble low point.

    It is not adviseable to tow caravans along the road, but if you must, make sure you have a 4WD or a powerful vehicle to ensure you get a firm grip on the loose surface. Also tie everything down in the van which might fall and break. Corrugated surfaces have a devastating effect on loose items and they will eventually succumb to Newton's theory unless secured.
    There are only scattered homesteads along the way and the only fuel available between Marree and Birdsville is at the Mungerannie Roadhouse, 204 km. north of Marree.
    Despite all this, a journey along the Birdsville Track is one of Australia's greatest opportunities to see the real outback.
    Things to see along the road include:

    MARREE: (647Km. North of Adelaide)
    Once known as Hergott Springs it was the staging post for camel trains which transported goods from the railhead to the outback and Alice Springs. For 20 years until 1980 it was a major break-of-guage station on the "Ghan" rail journey to Alice Springs but the new rail now runs some 200 kilometres west.
    It is now a small service centre for surrounding stations and travellers along the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks. there is an hotel, caravan park, general stores, post office, take-away food outlets, hospital and police station. A weekly bus service operates to Marree.
    A picnic race meeting and Gymkhana is held each June.
    LAKE HARRY:
    Around 30km. north of Marree the government struck its first bore for the stock route. The deserted homestead was occupied until 1951 and was a busy camel trading post. In the 1860's some 200 date palms were planted experimentally at Lake Harry. Baron von Mueller, a noted early botanist, theorised that date palms would provide a food and shade source around outback waterholes and palms were planted at many remote waterholes. Lake Harry can be seen to the east of the road.
    THE DOG FENCE:
    A little further north you will pass the dog fence which stretches from the New South Wales border to the Great Australian Bight near Streaky Bay, a distance of over 9,600 kilometres. The fence was built in an attempt to keep marauding dingos from the sheep flocks grazing to its south.
    CLAYTON RIVER:
    Crossed at the turn-off to Clayton Station
    DULKANINNA:
    Established in the late 1800's, Dulkaninna Station is near the Dulkaninna Creek, fed by an artesian bore.
    CANNUWAUKANINNA BORE:
    This bore exudes water so hot it travels nearly a kilometre before it is cool enough for stock to drink. West of the bore, the Lake Palankarinna Fossil Reserve on the edge of the Tirari Desert provides valuable scientific information about early life in Australia.
    ETADUNNA HOMESTEAD:
    A memorial beside the track remembers the efforts of Lutheran missionaries who ran the aboriginal settlemant at Killalpaninna, the ruins of which are approximately 20km. north of the station. It was built in 1866 and provided for some 200 aboriginals until its close after the severe drought of 1915.
    COOPER CROSSING:
    203 Km. north of Marree is the Cooper Creek Crossing and the turn off to the 'flood' road and ferry. When this massive river is in flood the ferry is used in daylight hours only and provides access across the river for cars and attached trailers providing the wheels are contained within the safety chains of the ferry. Caravans are not allowed. Information on the ferry service is available by telephone on (086) 48 5211.
    The old barge which provided the crossing from 1949 to 1956, the 'Tom Brennan' , is restored and on display at the Cooper Crossing.
    Usually the 10km. crossing is dry.
    NATTERANIE SANDHILLS:
    These sandhills average 9 metres in height and stretch from the western side of the road to the Simpson Desert. The 'flood' road rejoins the track just north of the normal crossing and these sandhills were the most difficult and notorious part of the track in its early days.
    MULKA HOMESTEAD:
    Just south of the new Mulka Homestead the ruins of Mulka Store can be seen 1km. west of the track. It was established in 1883 by Alexander Scobie.
    OOROOWILANNIE RUINS:
    The ruins of the homestead are just north of the Ooroowilannie Swamp.
    MUNGERANNIE ROADHOUSE: (850km. from Adelaide)
    The roadhouse is adjacent to the Mungerannie Homestead, 204km. north of Marree and 313 south of Birdsville, on the Derwent Creek. It provides fuel, food, accommodation, emergency repairs and camping and is the only service area along the track.
    COWARIE & KALAMURINA HOMESTEADS TURN-OFF:
    Leads to the homesteads (Cowarie 49km:Kalamurina 58km.) on the edge of the Simpson Desert
    MUNGERANNIE GAP:
    The highest point on the road (1500m.) the track descends 3km. to Mungerannie Gap
    GYPSUM CLIFFS:
    Just north of the Kirrawadinna Creek gypsum deposits can be seen just east of the track.
    MITTA MITTA BORE:
    Hot water gushes to the surface from this bore and runs hundreds of kilometres before cooling sufficently to use.
    LAKE HOWITT:
    A dry saltpan west of the track and north of Mitta Mitta Bore.
    MT. GASON BORE:
    An artesian bore about 2 km. from the track to the west.

    SIMPSON DESERT TURNOFF:
    11 km. south of Clifton Hills the turn-off to the K1 Line track over the Simpson Desert, which connect with Rig Road. (See Map) Another route leads across the north-west edge of Goyders Lagoon and on to Birdsville.
    WARNING:
     Do not attempt to use these routes unless equipped with 4WD vehicle, deatiled maps and adequate supplies and preparation. A Desert Parks Permit is required if entering the Conservation Park or Regional Reserve.
    CLIFTON HILLS HOMESTEAD AND GOYDERS LAGOON:
    The original route through Goyders Lagoon from Clifton Hills is now closed and impassable. the longer 'outside track' which passes through 'gibber country' (rocks) on the edge of Sturt's Stony Desert is now the main route.

    BIRDSVILLE: (Adelaide 1161 Km.)
    Located 12km. into Queensland, it originated around a store built in 1882 to cater to drovers using the stock route. Until Federation in 1901 it was a customs town for interstate trade and is now little more than a pub and mission hospital. Facilities include an hotel/motel, caravan park, general store, post office agency, garage and a sealed runway airport for light planes. If you are travelling in a large organised group it is wise to notify ahead of requirements which must be brought in from other areas, including food.
    Birdsville is famous for its Birdsville Race Meeting held in September each year and attracting people from all over the country. Truckloads of refreshments are brought in and the airstrip is gets plenty of use with planes from remote areas parked everywhere. If you are attending thenraces make sure you have plenty of provisions and good camping equipment.
    INFORMATION
    Information in this section was compiled from personal experience and from the Flinders Ranges & Outback of South Australia Regional Tourist Association excellent Outback publication 'Flinders Ranges and Outback'. P.W.
    Further enquiries to P.O. Box 41. Port Augusta, South Australia 5700. Ph: 08 8642 2469: Fax: 08 8642 41 0781.

    See Map
    © Copyright Wilmap Pty. Ltd. 2006