Ceduna to the Mitchell Falls - a few questions

[Wildmax]

Hi all

Starting to plan next year's trip, and I'm looking for any feedback on a couple of aspects of the trip.

By way of background..........we'll be on the road for about three months, meeting late Autumn at Ceduna to travel Googs Track and then via Glendambo to Coober Pedy. Then through the Painted Desert to Oodnadatta and on to Dalhousie Springs and Mt Dare, continuing via Finke and Chambers Pillar into Alice Springs.

After catching our breath a bit, we'll head up the Tanami to Halls Creek, travel the bitumen for a bit to Kununurra and then go along the Gibb before turning off to Drysdale Station and up to King Edward River and Mitchell Plateau.

On the way home we're looking at the Buchanan Hwy from Timber Creek to Dunmarra as an alternative to the bitumen. And finally onto the Gulf via Borroloola and Burketown OR via the Plenty and Boulia to Winton, before starting to head back south again.

We have done some bits of this previously, travelling in our Hilux with a canopy and towing TVan Canning, and have had no problems up the Cape and Gulf or on the Gibb etc, but a few questions about next year's trip:
- Has anyone towed up Googs track with similar vehicle set-up to ours, and if so what degree of difficulty? (I've noted on the forum the Landcruiser/Patrol brigade have no problems)
- What is the track like between Mt Dare and Chambers Pillar?
- We're thinking of tenting the last section into Mitchell Falls, so is it better to leave the van at Drysdale or at King Edward River?
- Is Kalumburu also worth a visit?
- Also any recent condition opinions on tracks like the Tanami, Buchanan, Savannah, Plenty?

We have plenty of time to plan all this, but if anyone has some relevant experience or thoughts on what we are proposing, I'd appreciate hearing them.

All the best

[leachy_9]

We where up there earlier this year and took the Tvan all the way to Mitchell Falls and we were glad we did. I can't see why you would leave a Tvan at Drysdale or at King Edward River and tent into Mitchell Falls.
I wouldn't bother going to Kalumburu as a destination in itself, only if your heading up to McGowans or Honeymoon Bay, in which case you pretty much have to go through Kalumburu. We spent 3 nights at Mc Gowans and reckon that time and time traveling up and back would have been better spent elsewhere in the Kimberley.
Cheers,
Leachy

[wrose]

I used to run tours up there a few years ago,
The track from Mt Dare to Finke can get water logged depending on the amount of recent rain, ive been through there in July bone dry one year and need your guide dolphin the next. From Finke to Alice the track follows the Old Ghan Railway, and jumps from track to old rail corridor and back to track all the time, no probs just a dirt road really.
The turn off to Chambers Pillar is at Maryvale Station and about 60ks out to the Pillar, good track all the way.

We used to camp at King Edward River and do a day trip into Mitchell Falls. Main reason was the camping, swimming and rock art around King Edward River is far better than camping in the dust bowl at Mitchell Falls Campground with choppers flying in and out all the time.
You could quiet easily spend 3-4 days just chilling out on the banks of the King Edward.
Again the track conditions vary from year to year, and wet season to wet season, crossed the King Edward one year over the bonnet of an 80 series, and only up to the hubs the next.

Enjoy, great part of the country.

[Jim and Lyn]

G'day Wildmax,
We were on the Mt Dare/ Chambers Pillar Rd in May or June this year. It was just after the Finke Desert Race anyway. It was pretty corrugated from Dalhosie to Finke and then from Finke to the Chambers turn off was as bad a bit of corrugated road as I have ever been on. We did the Canning as part of the trip which is renowned for its lumps and bumps but it wasn't in the same league as this bit of track for sustained, solid corrugations. BUT it is only a couple of hundred clicks.
When you are at Chambers and heading to Alice you can avoid a big lump of it by turning west just after the bottom of the big jump up on a farm type track. This takes you over to the railway line. You run up that then west again to the highway about 50 k south of Alice. The ranger put us onto it.
Cheers,
Jim

[chris_a]

We crossed the Tanami in May this year and were pleasantly surprised at how good it was, especially on the NT side.  We were hit by a massive storm that turned the Tanami into a slippery lake of porridge for the final 200kms before rejoining the tar. Our wheel tracks are possibly baked into the surface now.

We camped at King Edward crossing and spent a day up at Mitchell Falls. The final 80kms from King Edward were slow going - I think we averaged 40kms per hour for that stretch. The Tvan would have made it there and back without any issues but we agreed that the King Edward camp ground was a better place to stay and we enjoyed the local rock art and frequent swims in the River. The number of campsites was being extended together with additional toilet blocks throughout the grounds. The volunteer host were also excellent are a great source of local information.

[Wildmax]

That's very useful background from each of you, and nothing to suggest major problems with our planned route - so long as we are well prepared and travel sensibly. Really looking forward to the trip, and will note the advice that Kalumburu doesn't rate as a destination in its own right.

Still hoping to hear from anyone who's towed up Goog's Track in South Australia with a Hilux and TVan

Thanks to all of you for the feedback.

[boobook]

I recently went through that area, unfortunately we cancelled googs track due to a ton of rain in June. However I did research it quite a bit and it should be fine if you are familiar with towing in sand. S-N is easier than N-S and I would allow at least 2 days preferably 3. I'm sorry we didn't get to do it.

There are no facilities at Tarcoola, though it is a very interesting ghost town. It looks like it was abandoned just yesterday.  The trains are massive with double stack containers and a sight to see. The track from Tarcoola to the highway is a good dirt road. Kingoonya has diesel and a pub. The diesel is at an automatic pump, make sure you have a credit card with a PIN, signature ones won't work.

IMHO you should take the opportunity while in the area of visiting Maralinga. It is a very easy and beautiful 6 hour drive across to Maralinga following the railway line. Stay 2 nights and 1 day there for one of the best tours you will every have in your life. It was the highlight of our trip. It really is a must. You have to book with the caretaker Robin and call/ email him a few days before you arrive. Robin will even do a tour of EMU if you want. Let me know if you want his contact details. You can get fuel, water and shower / accomodation at Maralinga. We paid $100 per head for 2 days accommodation and the tour. Robin is the nicest guy you will meet and a wealth of information about the Nuclear tests in the 50's. Absolutely fascinating. Then you could go up to EMU and across the Anne Bedel highway to Cooper Pedy.  You will need permits and need to check the timing with the Dept of defence though.

[Wildmax]

Thanks for that Tony - especially the advice re Maralinga, which I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. Yes, I'd appreciate the contact details for the caretaker (email to: wildthing_h@hotmail.com)
Cheers

[boobook]

Robin Matthews at Maralinga
0433807683
08-86704089

Robin Matthews <robin.matthews@y7mail.com>
Ask him about going north. Also accommodation. There are a couple of dongas in good nick with 4 beds and full facilities. Tons of fresh rainwater. ( enough to supply several hundred people apparently)

Plan to spend at least 1 full day at Maralinga, possibly more if you are going north.
http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/Deserts/Maralinga_Range_Tour.aspx?s=maralinga#rqc_tabs=0
Do it.

[Wildmax]

Great, thanks !!

[Grandis]

Great information, we are hoping to do a similar trip next year, starting in mid to late April from NSW for about 3 months.  Hoping to do Eyre peninsula and Googs track, then explore more of SA including now Maralinga. 

[davandeb]

Great info from all respondants!  That what make this one of the best forums to spend you time on!