The trip so far.
Due to the continuing changes in the road conditions our approach to Birdsville was always going to have to be flexible. Would we go via the Central Desert Road and see Ayres Rock on the way over or would we tackle the Nullarbor and run up from Marree?
We had until Coolgardie to decide, was it left for Laverton? or right for the Nullarbor? which roads were open would decide it. As it transpired, the Central Desert Road from Warakurna to Ayres Rock was closed, as was the Plenty Highway from the end of the bitumen to the NT/QLD border. So we turned for Balladonia.
Just before dusk a small bump was the only warning of our first flat tyre, I couldn’t believe it. We have four new tyres on the car plus two spares with new tyres. Was this going to be another special trip? Oh well, changed it after tea at Balladonia and then got the nail removed and the tyre plugged in Ceduna.
We stopped in Port Augusta for a couple of days, waiting for the Birdsville track to reopen, an interesting town, with the street names painted on the curbs.
Then up through the Flinders Ranges for Leigh Creek and Marree.
We spent a night in Marree and took an early morning flight over Lake Eyre. After that it was onto the track, planning to make it to Mungeranie by nightfall. The regular track was flooded at Cooper’s Creek, about 11 km of it, so there is a detour to a ferry crossing 15 km upstream. By the time we arrived the queue had 11 vehicles in it. We waited two and a half hours to cross.
Coolgardie and time to decide which route to cross Australia
We decided to take the Nullarbor
Early morning friend in Balladonia
Caiguna, always bustling
Port Augusta outback centre
Quorn Railway Station, in the Flinders Ranges
Every shop was a treasure trove
Time to stop for a cuppa
Marree Pub
The pilots double as bar staff
The ferry taking vehicles across the Cooper’s Creek
Lake Eyre 50% full by volume covering 75% of its area
Queuing for the Ferry
We were 11th in line and waited 2 1/2 hours
Mungeranie, we’re half way up the Birdsville Track