Our next big trip, need some help please..

milo · Guru

Our next big trip, need some help please..

Cruising Granny · Guru

Piece of cake mate, piece of cake!
The roads are sealed and in good condition in SA. NSW roads are not so kind to the bit you sit on, but hopefully the Tardis suspension should cushion the impact.
The Landcruiser was not so kind when I did it last month.
There is only a bit of dirt between Lyndhurst and Maree, but it's pretty good, and as you know with dirt, you just drive to conditions, but it shouldn't shake the sugar out of the shaker or rattle your Dad's bones too much.
You might find Leigh Creek coal mining area interesting on that trip. There's the old Gladstone jail, the Flinders Ranges could be added to your intinerary.
Most caravan parks are ok on this route, and the prices are reasonable. Woomera is quirky as it has a licensed bar for a happy happy hour, and it's cheap.
I stayed at a park on the north side of Alice Springs called the Winter Sun. Good amenities and the price was reasonable. The sites are negotiable with the van, so it should be a breeze for you.
There's a van park at Lyndhurst next to the pub. Nice people there, a fellow from Elliston.
Do you have a bit of an idea which towns you'd like to camp in?
Just point the bonnet west, drop the Tardis into gear or drive, and go. The country should be looking absolutely magnificent at that time of the year after a lush winter. The wildflowers will be spectacular everywhere too.
Ooo, oo I'll come as your tour guide. I don't take up much room.

wendyv · Guru

Milo,
you say Woomera, then up to Marree. The direct route between the two, via Roxby Downs, is dirt beyond Olympic Dam - called the Borefield Track. Might be ok, might be iffy - you would have to ask locally at the time.
There is only one caravan park near Ayers Rock - at Yulara, unless you stay out at Curtin Springs and "commute" in. Yulara is expensive, but what you save by staying out at Curtin Springs, you would probably spend in extra fuel used, plus time, so I would say stay at Yulara. Much more convenient for seeing the Rock in its various moods. Don't forget the Olgas!
In Alice Springs, we prefer the McDonnell Ranges CP - just because it is not right in the centre of town and so feels secure - and because we stayed there on our first time in the Alice, so it is a known quality.
Marree is pretty basic. We have stayed at the Drovers Rest CP, but I am not sure if that is open this year?
There is a very pleasant CP at Copley. That is a good base to do the tour of the Leigh Creek coal mine, have a look at historic Beltana etc.
Peterborough CP is one I recommend.

Esmeralda · Guru

Milo it sounds like a great trip - I'm sure Dad will enjoy it.

milo · Guru

thanks guys,

dad is asking about from Maree to Coober Pedy, via willams track,
i think thats dirt road not sutiable for us in the Tardis..

also i think from coober pedy to Alice its around 788 ks? are there any
service stations along the way?
i have a feeling even going to maree might be tricky for us.? what you think?

jimricho · Guru

I can't give you any info on the roads you mention other than the Stuart Highway which is an excellent road. There are servos/roadhouses at Coober P, Marla, Kulgera and (I think) Erldunda, possibly others too. Both Google Maps and Whereis are handy trip planning tools, use the "get directions" on these sites.

Some good ol'fashion paper maps are handy too. Camping stores usually stock the Hema range of these.

wendyv · Guru

The roadhouse at Erldunda has a little caravan park that is ok for an overnighter.
You mentioned the Rock in your first post. Be aware that it is a good day's drive from Ayers Rock to Alice Springs - about 450km.
Given that you need to stay on sealed roads, or very good gravel, it is going to be a very long way to go round from Coober Pedy to Marree - would have to go via Port Augusta. Personally, can't see the point of Marree as a destination - it really is just a place you go through on the way to Birdsville or Oodnadatta.
I would suggest you revise that plan - maybe come south to Port Augusta and then go up to Wilpena and have a look at some of the Flinders Ranges, before continuing on to Burra.
If dad really wants to see some of the Oodnadatta Track, maybe sometime go with a small group tour - or hire a 4WD camper and drive it yourself.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Some of those places were on the old Ghan railway line which has since been moved. While the pub and a few faithful diehards stayed, there's not much out there except the "outback", which I must say is looking fabulous at the moment.
Sightseeing flights over Lake Eyre have been set up out of William Creek, Maree and Lyndhurst, but I don't know if they'll be operating when you get there.
Going to Port Augusta and then out to the Flinders Ranges sounds like a really good alternative and although some of the Flinders Roads are unsealed, you'd be ok in the Tardis if you drive carefully according to conditions, and put the vegemite in the bottom cupboard so it doesn't get shaken out of the top cupboards. Creek crossings could be a problem if they have a lot of rain over winter.
When in doubt, ask the locals.
You and your dad might be interested in the railway museum at Quorn, and there is the Pichi Richi Railway tourist train, if it's running.
There's lots to see and do in that region.
As Jimricho says there are roadhouses approximately every 300kms across this country of ours. If you think you might have a problem you may have to take a couple of jerry cans, but I don't think you'll have any problems.
It sounds like a great trip you're planning. All the best.