has anybody travelled the Old Ghan Track from Maree to William Creek and if so could you give me information on the road conditions as we planning to travel from Maree to Alice Spring incorporating the Oodnadatta track to Marla.
And if you would take a semi off road van
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BETTER TO HAVE SEEN SOMETHING ONCE, THAN HEAR ABOUT IT A THOUSAND TIMES
Gravel road normally in pretty good condition - does tend to be a bit soft off the main road surface - ensure the surface hardness before venturing off the track to park up - you can go down to the axles on van and tug quick smart. If travelling this road ensure tyre pressures correct, carry puncture plugs and compressor. A good tow rope is also handy. Suitable for vans driven sensibly.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Couple of photos to give you an idea of how we have mostly found it. Of course, any unsealed road can become rougher before it is next graded. Have found the section from Oodnadatta to Marla to be the roughest part. Last time we went Oodnadatta through Arkaringa to Cadney Park. That road was excellent, apart from a slushy section near Arkaringa - but it had been wet and that road had only reopened the day before, because of that. Was worth going that way to see the Painted Desert, and that whole section was much more scenic than the way to Marla.
I did that part of the track last year leading a couple of smaller on-road vans, one a Jayco and the other a Goldstream. The track is generally quite good, although it is dirt, can be a bit stoney and is probably corrugated in sections. Just take it easy and drive to the conditions. Make sure your tyres are good, lower the pressures a bit and don't be in a hurry.
The only issues the two vans had was some minor stone damage to wiring on one van and a cracked pvc drain on the other. So, if you're going to take your van out there, I'd suggest you get underneath and protect any exposed wiring, water pipes - especially where the fittings attach to the tank and exposed pvc drain pipes. You might also make sure you have good mudflaps on the car and/or some protection on the front of the van.
After all that, it's a great bit of the track and well worth it. Make sure you take a drive out to see Lake Eyre, either from Marree or from William Creek - or both.
Enjoy.
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Cheers, Gerry Lexus LX470 2012 Traveller Sensation Pinnacle 21' Member VKS737 - mobile 3535
Thank you all for your help and information we are really looking forward to the trip next year. Regarding the van underbody we have already attended to that as we lost drain taps on the water tanks and the tap on the front going to the Cape earlier this year.
-- Edited by Dreamcatcher on Wednesday 23rd of November 2016 02:49:06 PM
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BETTER TO HAVE SEEN SOMETHING ONCE, THAN HEAR ABOUT IT A THOUSAND TIMES
Track is fine for semi off road type vans. We did it with Jayco Sterling Outback in 2011. When we travelled it, there had been 12 mm of rain a couple of weeks before. Section Marree to about 15 kms north of William Creek was excellent, then the next 140 kms was very bad (took about 4 hours), and then the last 50 kms to Oodnadatta and then Oodnadatta to Marla was very good again.
Check weather reports on BOM and road reports on SA Road Transport site prior to travel, as it doesn't take much rain to make road very ordinary, very quickly
Road can be rough when reopened after being closed for rain as it gets cut up before it is closed. Also gets corrugated at entry and exit to the creek crossings, and there are plenty of those.
Nice camp ground at Coward Springs in heritage Ghan area, caravan park at William Creek is ok, with historic pub opposite, and also nice free camp beside Neale Creek waterhole at Algebuckina Bridge, about 60 kms south of Oodnadatta. Site is a bit stony but nice outlook.
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Regards Ian
Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
has anybody travelled the Old Ghan Track from Maree to William Creek and if so could you give me information on the road conditions as we planning to travel from Maree to Alice Spring incorporating the Oodnadatta track to Marla.
And if you would take a semi off road van
Maree to William Creek is a section of the Oodnadatta Track. A very easy trip towing a van, if you're versed in travelling made dirt roads.
The Old Ghan Track runs from Finke to Alice. It's very sandy along the bit between Finke & the Maryvale turn off. Be prepared to use lots of fuel on that section. After that, its made dirt road all the way into AS.
NB: Finke is an Aboriginal community & the availability of fuel is strictly regulated. We couldn't get any on a Sunday, it was closed.
