ROAD CONDITIONS @15/5/2019
Birdsville to the North
Roads into Bedourie are OPEN from the North.
Bedourie to Windorah OPEN.
Bedourie to Birdsville OPEN to all traffic via Lake Machattie By Pass with caution (Approx extra 70klms).
Birdsville to the East
Birdsville to Windorah OPEN to 4WD High Clearance with caution .
Arrabury Road to SA OPEN
Cordillo Downs Road to SA OPEN from Birdsville Developmental Road to Arrabury Road turnoff.
Birdsville to the West
The Simpson Desert National Park Road (Birdsville to Big Red) is CLOSED.
The first 5klm leading out from Birdsville west has had water across it since February and although the water has now receded the ground is wet and boggy.
A few more days of drying out in the sun and wind is needed to ensure the integrity of the road and to prevent any further damage to the road surface.
Access to the Munga-Thirri National Park via the QAA line (Big Red heading west) is CLOSED.
The Eyre Creek has crossed the QAA line. It will be some time before water recedes and the tracks dry out.
The Eyre Creek By Pass was assessed and remains impassable at this time, the bypass will be checked again in a weeks time but authorities believe it may be at least 2 more weeks before the by pass crossing can be used safely.
Travel into the Simpson Desert is possible from the west (Mt Dare) and northern areas however travellers should be aware of the need to take enough fuel for the return trip as access to Birdsville (Fuel) will not be possible.
Birdsville to the South
The Birdsville track remains CLOSED. South Australian road crews plan to travel and assess the track within the next week to plan opening strategies.
The Birdsville Inside Track and the Warburton Crossing will remain CLOSED.
Walkers Crossing will remain CLOSED until assessments can be made of the Birdsville Track in that area.

Big Red Bash
For those travelling to the Big Red Bash will be happy to know that the event site is currently high and dry.
Barring any further weather events access to Birdsville from all directions will be possible.
Travelling to the area will be simply stunning, so please as well as enjoying the magnificent small towns and wonderful people along the way be sure to take your time and enjoy the once in a lifetime scenery that will be on display.
Finke Desert Race
In past years there has been an increase in the number of people travelling through Birdsville across the Simpson Desert to Finke for the annual motorbike races.
With the Eyre Creek cutting the QAA line heading into the desert it is expected that access will still not be possible around the expected time of crossing for the Finke (Early June)
People that were considering travelling from Birdsville to Finke via the Simpson Desert are asked to re-assess plans and have a plan B ready should access not be possible.
Weekly updates will be provided regarding the Eyre Creek/QAA crossing.

Local Councils and Authorities will continue to monitor and work to open closed roads as soon as it is safe to do so.
People planning to travel to this area need to plan their trip carefully and always check local road condition reports online as they travel out west.


Cheers



Stephan Pursell
Officer in Charge, Birdsville Police Station, Mount Isa District | Queensland Police Service