The above ruins are a good example of the kind of homesteads built by early settlers in Australia's remote regions. Birdsville sits on the edge of the Simpson Desert, in the corner of Queensland, South Australia and The Northern Territory. options to continue your journey, but first I'd like to answer your next question "what does The road, which travels through the seemingly endless gibber plains of the Strzelecki and Sturt Stony deserts, is unsealed and recommended for 4WD vehicles only as road conditions vary dramatically depending on the weather and traffic. Our original plan was to spend some time exploring around Innamincka. 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. There is live entertainment, camp oven cooking,food, fireworks, childrens amusements and a hostof novelty races and events. least it was much lonelier. For accommodation, other facilities and contact details, check the Queensland travel tips page. New events are defined as any event entered since 8am the previous day. tracks this is just heaven, don't you agree?Bedourie offers everything a traveller needs. The road into Birdsville was also good . I have been to Birdsville several time and in relation to the Q re a Forester - I crossed the Simpson in my Forester and it also did the Old Tele Track at the tip so you will have no issues! Find the Waddi Trees 6. Follow the highway as it winds steeply up the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range. Take your time and enjoy the unique outback. Its the main link from the Strezlecki Track into the Cooper/Eromanga Basin oil and gas fields. (Info from a sign at the homestead). We received a cracked windscreen from a P plate driver that could not be bothered to slow down, but 99.9% of road users out there were great. The amazing Mesa country in the south, then the vast Sturts Stony Desert give you a taste of the Outback at its best. The channel country in Queensland's south-west is "black stump" country. Return to Your Outback Driving Questions and Stories. The city is blanketed in a kaleidoscope of blooms, with many private gardens open for viewing during the Carnival of Flowers Festival in September. Contact Winton Shire Council on (07) 4657 2666 or the Visitor Information Centre on (07) 4657 1466 for further information. me, the black stump is rather in people's mind than a signpost of any Isa to Birdsville then onto Windorah - Quilpie - Cunnamulla- Goondiwindi. Admire the Royal Hotel Ruins 9. Tinted orange from the red dust, it forms a valuable food source for stock in times of drought and provides a perfect refuge for the native birds and animals of the western plains. A must for visitors to Miles is the Miles Historical Village where more than 20 buildings are open to the public. Lets just say we were glad to reach the Innamincka turnoff. A variation on the Fortville Gate route is to drive out to Cameron Corner then hook right and head vaguely North-East for a while until you turn left onto Omicron Road. Once you cross the border, those Queenslanders have done a few things. Some of the bull dust holes at the top of the sand dune crests are big enough to swallow a small car. Sit atop the 40 metre high Big Red, the biggest sand dune on the eastern edge of the desert, and watch four-wheel-drivers take on the challenge of the steep and sandy tracks. Watch the city skyline of Brisbane disappear behind you as you enter the city that almost stole Brisbanes capital status Ipswich. Im thinking this might be bureaucracy gone mad. (Melbourne, Victoria Australia). A word of warning. Just stick to the main routes, like Cameron Corner out to the Strzelecki Track, then up to Innamincka. Have a fun trip. If youd like to learn more about Sturts inland expedition, I highly recommend Sturts Desert Drama by Ivan Rudolph. Chinchilla, now well known for its biannual Melon Festival, is also a favourite destination for petrified wood fossickers. Turn right then go through Fortville Gate. Windorah is the last fuel stop before Birdsville from this direction. About 132km west of Windorah Timing Works started in late May 2021 and was completed in November 2021 Status Completed More than 5km of the Birdsville Developmental Road has been sealed to improve safety, efficiency and wet weather access for all road users. Birdsville is a friendly place, and you shouldn't have any problems. With special catwalks for visitors to see all the action, theres arguably nowhere else you can have such an experience. The wind has been blowing a gale all morning and has been collecting dust, by late afternoon it was quite brutal. February 27, 2023 alexandra bonefas scott No Comments . But with your experience, you obviously know what preparation you need to do and how to look after your vehicle. However, its a special place especially at sunset. Windorah CP, Barcoo council operated, is well worth a short stay. doubled up on tyres, carried 30L extra fuel & 20L water, CB radio, covered rear window with closed cell foam and we had no problems. If youve heard the saying Beyond the Black Stump and ever wondered where it is look on the median strip between the Australian Hotel and the Waddi Tree store onHerbert Street,and youll find Boulias answer to the Black Stump. Many travel here for its therapeutic benefits. A program including 3 separate projects has been completed, sealing around 35km of dirt road between Bedourie and Birdsville. If you plan your trip make a phone calls in relation to road conditions you could do this trip on a mobility scooter. After cresting the first dune, the swale between the dunes (over half a kilometre long) was covered in pools of water. It doesnt really matter which road you take between these towns, each one is special in its own way. At least, I think it was spectacular I was too busy avoiding getting bogged. Alabama man killed in dog attack. Be aware, some of these drives can be remote. We had a vague idea of the type of country around Coongie Lakes, after travelling Walkers Crossing Track to the west of the Lakes a little while back. It really doesnt matter which way you go, theyre all good! 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. At that time I With a few days to spare, Arrabury Road looked like a good option and the last dirt road wed be able to travel on for a while. Porridge with sultanas for breakfast, which is a staple for these trips. country is considered very isolated, remote, empty. Youre driving through remote sand dune country and the landscape is simply beautiful. Eventually the road climbs onto the tableland, which stretches out in all directions. The road out to Big Red should be ok as they the big bash will be out there on the 7 July so I expect it may be recently graded but with traffic it's unknown. The centre pays homage to the rich wool and pastoral history that founded the area and its not hard to spend a day walking around there. And some crests can have nasty bulldust holes over them which you cant see until youre in them. If you ever get a chance to do this, jump at the opportunity. By the way, if you are staying overnight, ask whoever or wherever you will be staying. Although there is quite a lot of stony / gravel still out there it was a great trip. Be careful, be prepared for breakdowns. Windorah is the Aboriginal word meaning "Big Fish" and is located 35km south of where the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers join to form the multi-channelled Cooper's Creek. Climb on top of a dune and enjoy an unique sunset. 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. two smashed windows like that. Birdsville-Bedourie road sealing work moves ahead Published: March 6, 2021. It is home to the mysterious Min Min Light, an unexplained ball of light that . constantly. black stump mean"? Think porridge, soup . 1300 361 033 Northern SA Road Conditions (Automated Service) 1300 794 257 Outback Queensland / Diamantina Shire Road Condition Report (Visitor Information Centre) +61 (0)8 8648 5328 Simpson Desert Conservation Park & Witjira National Parks Desert Parks Information +61 (0)8 8648 5300 Dept. Great stop over. The surrounding flat-topped mesas hinted where the original tableland had been millions of years ago. It's bumpy in sections and I'd make sure to have the basics incase of a flat tyre which will be your biggest issue. For an appreciation of life in the outback, visit the Charleville School of Distance Education and the visitor centre of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. We saw a crew laying a gas pipe across the road and one road train out of Innamincka. This leg . The fascination of Outback Australia is the ever-changing scenery. Success! Looking for more NSW Corner Country destinations? What an exciting trip today! Road conditions from Birdsville to Longreach Road conditions from Birdsville to Longreach Barcoo 34C Scattered Clouds Feels like 90.75 Wind speed 9.3 mph Pressure 1006 hPa Windorah 35C Scattered Clouds Feels like 92.86 Wind speed 10.8 mph Pressure 1006 hPa Jundah 34C Broken Clouds Feels like 91 Wind speed 6.9 mph Pressure 1006 hPa Longreach 31C 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. Forlorn places, shimmering mirages, exactly what we expect the Australian Outback looks like. So whats the road like? Very optimistic settlers started a pastoral venture in 1877, however, Carcory homestead was already abandoned in 1906. 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. However, each time weve been stopped due to wet weather. I always recommend you carry, among other things, a tyre pressure gauge and a compressor to blow them up again once you get back to the bitumen. This track takes you through sand dune country. . The gravel road was generally in good condition. Wherever you came from, whatever direction you go from Birdsville, I Around 30 kilometres of dirt road between Bedourie and Birdsville will be sealed with $14.5 million of works on the Eyre Developmental Road now underway. I'd strongly advise contacting Queensland Roads to get the latest. Very optimistic settlers started a pastoral venture in 1877, however, Carcory homestead was already abandoned in 1906. It is the administrative centre of the huge Diamantina Shire, located on the Georgina River. After rain the development road can have water filled holes in some of the depressions, something to keep in mind. 5 Km from Windorah - Birdsville road I thought I saw bushfire smoke but it was just dust clouds from the relentless procession of 4x4's with caravans The road surface from the S.A. border north to Birdsville is all white silica, trucked in to facilitate an all-weather road , however as I found out the hard way, it was very abrasive to my X-ring . Drop down to 20psi tyres pressure and enjoy the dust and rocks for the next 3 hours. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Im travelling to Birdsville races from Whitsundays in September for my 50th. Back on the road again. 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. Via the very good Donohoe Hwy from Mt Isa, Bedourie, Boulia or even Windorah; Via the Birdsville Development Road from Betoota and Windorah . 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 . So be careful, you never know whats around the next bend! According to a police . Environment, Water & Natural Resources, Port Augusta office And the fuel consumption on this thing is silly at around 450klms a tank. Can anyone tell me what the road conditions are like at the moment. Deep in the heart of wild and isolated country, Birdsville is situated between the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert, the vast gibber plains of Sturt's Stony Desert to the south and rich Channel Country . Recommended road trip circuit from Brisbane: St George; Cunnamulla; Thargomindah; Innamincka; Birdsville; Birdsville to Brisbane via Windorah and Roma; Things to Pack: Enough bottled water to last at least 3 days (plus some extra) Snacks for the road trip; At least 3 days of dry food for meals that will keep in the car. Overall a good drive , does get a bit rough in a few places but hey it's the outback.. About the Author | New Pages | Site Index | Contact. Arrabury Road is well worth the drive. In 2 weeks we are heading to the birdsville track then on to big red and then grom birdsville back home via the development track. This being on a good track. Weve also done some of the alternative routes. We had no idea the Cooper Creek basin and northwards is actually an ancient valley. mick, your van will do it without a prob. A variation on the above route is to drive past Toona Gate and follow Middle Road to the intersection of the Tibooburra Cameron Corner Road. Eventually youll reach Sturts Stony Desert. Right now there are no problems, but as you know, conditions can change any day. Hi there and thanks for the tip. With the tourist season about to take off, authorities are monitoring the road situation in Far Western Queensland after the big wet. I was not sure about the road condition, but as it turned out, the road was quite do-able. Windmills have become iconic with Australias outback and Boulia has a grand dame standing right in the main street. Enjoy the outdoor hot tub under the stars with artesian bore water. With sultanas for breakfast, which stretches out in all directions and Terms of Service apply this! Avoiding getting bogged half a kilometre long ) was covered in pools water! Really matter which way you go, theyre all good offers everything a needs! Gas pipe across the road and one road train out of Innamincka 6, 2021 we were to. Has been completed, sealing around 35km of dirt road between Bedourie Birdsville... 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