Road Reports are Issued for the Safety of All Members of the Travelling Public and We ask for Your Co-operation. Windorah is smack bang in the middle of the channel country, a fertile area of grazing land that produces some of the worlds best beef cattle. Around 30 kilometres of dirt road between Bedourie and Birdsville will be sealed with $14.5 million of works on the Eyre Developmental Road now underway. With the road being predominantly gibber rock this makes for an extremely uncomfortable and bumpy ride. The Red Stump Tourism and Events Queensland. This is a remote drive, with fuel being few and far between. Let the high mineral content of the water from the Great Artesian Basin relax and revitalise you. Great stop over. Transport and motoring. Day 3: Windorah to Birdsville and Back. If you ever get a chance to do this, jump at the opportunity. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. At the end of the Birdsville Track is the frontier town of Birdsville, one of Outback Australia's most recognised towns. Join Trish McGreil and her husband Ian as they relax on the porch of their station homestead and hear their tales about the lights and many of the possible explanations as to what causes them. ROAD CONDITIONS | VISIT BIRDSVILLE VISIT BIRDSVILLE ROAD CONDITIONS LOCAL ROADS SA OUTBACK ROADS QLD ROADS HOME In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which Birdsville was built. Day 16: Off to Bedourie this morning. Quilpie is a 210 kilometre drive from Charleville along the Warrego Way. Did this stretch in one winter day in a Mazda Tribute towing campertrailer. Conditions change depending on weather and the time since it was last graded. For all other route restrictions use the following link https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au . For all other route restrictions use the following link https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au. Will be doing it again in 2020. After a full day or two in Miles its time to head due west to Roma, 140 kilometres further along the Warrego. Sit back and enjoy the unique flora and fauna throughout the surrounding countryside. This is a special part of the journey and would be a fantastic sight at sunset. the late afternoon. We saw a crew laying a gas pipe across the road and one road train out of Innamincka. Driving from the East: We are 382km west of Windorah, roughly 250km is an unsealed road. We recently 2 weeks ago travelled from Windorah to Birdsville and the road was good it is sealed from Windorah to the turn off then for the next approx 20 k. The unsealed section to Betoota was in good condition we towed a 21 ft van with no problems. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome. No 4wd towing a camper too, I was up in that area in 2014 and passed many 2wds including small hatch backs with low ground clearance and huge overloaded motorhomes full of grey nomads. Driving through the Diamantina Shire is a surreal experience, passing extensive plains of red gibber on both sides of the road and intersected with flat flood plain areas that would be grasslands after a wet season. . The track crosses two large dunes. We are planning to drive from Victoria to Windorah Qld within the next week or so. Back on the Warrego and you pass the little towns of Brigalow and Boonarga before entering Chinchilla. My wife and I are looking to travel to outback pubs, tracks and sites and are after a comfortable holiday caravanning experience off the black top. Everyone, but everyone, stops here as it's the most obvious place to start in Birdsville. Location: Birdsville to Maree (Maree is in the north-east of South Australia and Birdsville, is in the south-west of Queensland) Track Length: 517 km Road Conditions: Stony track with large pebbles (gibbers) and dry sand. Wed never given this border corner much thought before. Eventually the road climbs onto the tableland, which stretches out in all directions. And the road is at least four lanes wide in places. And the alternative routes are just as good. There are a few corrugations. It is home to the mysterious Min Min Light, an unexplained ball of light that . For accurate up to date road conditions for Queensland also check the following sites: RACQ Road Conditions. Weve compiled these as if youre driving from Tibooburra to Innamincka. From Quilpie you have the option of taking a short 108km detour along the fully sealed Cooper Developmental road (79A) to Eromanga. The journey begins along the Birdsville Developmental Road heading East towards Betoota and Windorah. Once Australia's most hazardous stock route, the Birdsville Track is still an unsealed road but maintained so that you can travel in either a 4WD or SUV with a caravan or camper trailer. Return to Your Outback Driving Questions and Stories. Rather than risk getting bogged up to our axles, we decided to camp on the western side of the first dune and walk to Haddon Corner. Depending on the season, you might see some water in the ephemeral lakes along the way. Be prepared, the detour might be a Birdsville-Bedourie road sealing work moves ahead Published: March 6, 2021. A 4WD Kluger should be OK, as long as it's in good shape, and you have paid particular attention to the tyres, which should be as-new, and you've made sure that tyre pressures are lowered to around 20psi for the rough stuff. Im sure during peak season, thered be several travellers visiting Haddon Corner. Thats another reason why we were nervous about taking on the muddy track if wed have become bogged, there was no chance of anyone helping us out. Lake Constance and Hunters Gorge are important wetlands and supporting breeding populations of numerous resident and migratory birds. 4 trips to Birdsville Races in my Commodore , not a worry about puntures if carefull and watch the road . You gaze down into the valley you just drove through and its laid out before you like a map. When a wide loadis coming towards you, slow down and where possible, find a safe spot to pull off the road. as in no trees or water to camp beside. Birdsville has received 45 mm yesterday, and all approachable roads closed, and this is its annual Race weekend. sections are usually in good condition. https://www.service.transport.qld.gov.au/ExcessMassExternal/PublicConditionReport.jsp, Garfield / Pelican Creek (Barcaldine Regional), Restricted to four wheel drive vehicles only, Flooding: Long-term flooding due to heavy rain, Arraburry (Birdsville Dev Rd turnoff) to SA Border, Barcaldine / Barcaldine Downs (Barcaldine Regional), Barcaldine (via Barcaldine Downs) to Isisford (to Longreach Council Boundary), Mooraberree Station to Diamantina Dev Road (Mooraberree Station to Diamantina council boundary), Bimerah to Yaraka (to Longreach Council Boundary), Birdsville to Windorah (to Barcoo Shire Council), "Route of the River Gum" Access to Bladensburg National Park, from Eyre Developmental Rd to junction with Birdsville Developmental Road, Boulia to Bedourie (Boulia to Diamantina Council Boundary), Bedourie to Boulia (to Boulia Council Boundary), Birdsville Dev Rd turnoff to South Australia Border (via Cordillo Downs), Corfield to Richmond (Kennedy Dev Rd turn off to Richmond Council Boundary), From Kennedy Developmental Road to Old Cork Waterhole, (turn off from Kennedy Developmental Rd through to junction with Diamantina River Rd), Crossmoor Road (Longreach Muttaburra Road), Cornish Creek / Sardine (Barcaldine Regional), Muttaburra to Longreach (Muttaburra to Longreach Council Boundary), Crossmore Road (Longreach Muttaburra Road) / Longreach Muttaburra Road, Longreach to Muttaburra (Longreach to Barcaldine Council Boundary), Hobartville / Surbiton (Barcaldine Regional), 93C, 213.58 to 366.98 / 93C, 366.98 to 388.42, Bedourie to Barcoo (to Barcoo Council Boundary, Bedourie (Diamantina Shire) / Farrars Creek (Barcoo Shire), Birdsville Developmental Road Turnoff to Barcoo Shire Boundary, Bedourie to Boulia (to Boulia Shire Council), Boulia to Dajarra (Boulia to Cloncurry Council Boundary), Boulia to Bedourie (to Diamantina Council boundary), Turn off to Collingwood: Conn Waterhole to Old Cork Waterhole, From Old Cork Waterhole to Diamantina National Park (to Diamantina council boundary), Between Kennedy Developmental Road and Old Landsborough Highway, Bedourie - Birdsville via Cuttaburra Crossing, Eyre Developmental Road (Birdsville Track), Home Creek / Moombria (Barcaldine Regional), Barcaldine to Isisford (Landsborough Hwy turn off to junction with Isisford Blackall Rd), Inside Track Road (Birdsville Inside Track), Bimerah to Isisford (Longreach Council Boundary), Between Winton Jundah Road and Cork Mail Road, Jundah to Warbreccan (Southern end of the Jundah-Winton Road), Warbreccan - Winton (Northern end of the Jundah-Winton Rd), Winton to Boulia via Landsborough Hwy turn off I was more wanting to know if anyone had actually travelled along the road to provide some indication of the degree of difficulty. Water from previous rains was still lying around and made the trip a little nerve-racking. Leaving Birdsville you have several choices to go to. Western 2 flight path to Boulia is highlighted in Orange. There are two towns in the shire with the town of Boulia, sited on the banks of the Burke River, being the main administration area for the local Boulia Shire Council. Warri Gate Road is generally a good surface, just watch out for the sharp rocks waiting to damage your sidewalls. me, the black stump is rather in people's mind than a signpost of any Enjoy these tips and articles in the Outback Guide. Any advice would be appreciated. Its definitely remote. The actual marker post at the corner was in the middle of a mini-lake. It is a lonely 460 km drive with no facilities along the way. its sandy, stoney and dirt. Find the Waddi Trees 6. South Australian Outback Roads (SA Government), Queensland Road Condition Report (Live map via the Queensland Government), Road Conditions Report & other Travel Information (Diamantina Shire Council), Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks Road Report (SA Government), 1300 361 033 Northern SA Road Conditions (Automated Service), +61 (0)7 4656 2028 Outback Queensland / Diamantina Shire Road Condition Report (Visitor Information Centre), +61 (0)8 8648 5328 Simpson Desert Conservation Park & Witjira National Parks Desert Parks Information, +61 (0)8 8648 5300 Dept. There is another service station around the corner and if you only want fuel, head around there as the line-ups are much shorter. Forlorn places, shimmering mirages, exactly what we expect the Australian Outback looks like. Hit the gravel road to Birdsville, Australias iconic must visit town. Listen to UHF 40 for instructions. We travelled at approx 70 kph . If you are, either dont go this way or expect suspension damage. After cresting the first dune, the swale between the dunes (over half a kilometre long) was covered in pools of water. Can anyone tell me if the Birdsville Development Road is sealed please. It's a long drive from any direction, but it attracts caravans, 4WD enthusiast and adventure seekers from all over the country. 2015 Land Rover Discovery Nova Vita 216- 9R, OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. Weve tried to take Cordillo Downs Road many times. It leads you into jump-up country and pretty soon youre heading straight for the hills. Visit the Chinchilla White Gums, a beautifully tall and straight eucalypt native to this area. Then, welcome to Roma, the home of the Big Rig and the gateway to cattle country. Theyre pretty hard to miss! A must for visitors to Miles is the Miles Historical Village where more than 20 buildings are open to the public. The centre pays homage to the rich wool and pastoral history that founded the area and its not hard to spend a day walking around there. Road conditions are generally rough, slow going, and will depend on the time of year if there have been any significant rains. diamantina road conditions. Be prepared for remote travel. Dulacca rose to notoriety as the first site for the extensive push to eradicate the prickly pear. Formerly a pastoral holding, the park features weathered sandstone ranges, Mitchell grass plains and the floodplains and tributaries of the Diamantina River to dune fields. During our trip across the non- bitumen areas we passed many a non- 4 wheel drive with several of them pulling caravans. (Commonwealth Development Employment Project) centre; visit the grand old Hotel Corones, the biggest outback pub in Australia, with its resident ghost; and at night take in the star-studded outback night sky at the Cosmos Centre. Turn right then go through Fortville Gate. For an appreciation of life in the outback, visit the Charleville School of Distance Education and the visitor centre of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The hamlet of Warra may not look much at first, but turn down the street and visit the Warra Hotel; a fantastic, rambling old timber pub. Windorah CP, Barcoo council operated, is well worth a short stay. I only have a small low clearance front wheel drive Hyundai i30CW and would appreciate advice as to whether I can travel this road, bearing in mind that I would observe all precautions such as checking the road conditions etc on the day. Hey, I rode an old ex-army dispatch rider's bike from Alice Springs to Port Augusta on what is now called the "Oodnadatta Track" back in 1959. After a hot day on the dusty ps have a look at big red, only about 30 km out the other side of town but worth a look. 12 hours on the bike, 8 hours on gravel to Birdsville. Sit atop the 40 metre high Big Red, the biggest sand dune on the eastern edge of the desert, and watch four-wheel-drivers take on the challenge of the steep and sandy tracks. don't worry about the distance from town as a bus run back and forth all day about every 30 mins. kind. To think Charles Sturt traversed this country then decided to walk back through it because he was fascinated by the landscape, defies belief. Carefully restored and refurbished, each building captures the essence of its original use early last century. . Hear the sound of the didgeridoo and watch Aboriginal artists at work at the C.D.E.P. moment you traverse a barren spot that makes you think it is the end of Apparently it is a fine of $1,000 per wheel if you are caught on a closed road. Visit Website. Could you please tell me if your caravan is an Off-Road caravan? From here on, the changes are more subtle lots of gibber country, mixed with stretches of small flood plains and sand country. Any personal "report" will be out of date and meaningless within 24 hours. Freight and Heavy Vehicles: For more information on Flood Recovery Permits (FRPs) and freight route information, contact the Flood Recovery Road Access Group: 1300 105 647 or floodrecovery_roadaccess@tmr.qld.gov.au. Public Toilets. And this way, you get to see the corner of the three states at Cameron Corner! doubled up on tyres, carried 30L extra fuel & 20L water, CB radio, covered rear window with closed cell foam and we had no problems. We covered this part of the journey earlier, so I wont repeat myself here. Most times it would be extremely arid. It's a little under 400km between Windorah and Birdsville, and while much of the road is unsealed, it's a beautiful drive, achievable in a single day. You can refuel at Innamincka, Birdsville or Windorah. Has anyone travelled from Windorah to Birdsville in the last week? Right now there are no problems, but as you know, conditions can change any day. Bedourie, another small bush town with true Outback character. Leaving pretty Miles you pass through the townships of Drillham and Dulacca, both established with the coming of the railway into the west. Lets just say we were glad to reach the Innamincka turnoff. So you should be okay. Head north out of Tibooburra towards Warri Gate. However, I imagine it would be horrendous after the Birdsville races or Big Red Bash. The Windorah Red Sandhills are located 12km to the West of town on the Birdsville Road. We couldnt quite figure out why. The city is blanketed in a kaleidoscope of blooms, with many private gardens open for viewing during the Carnival of Flowers Festival in September. There are many heritage buildings to enjoy on the leisurely self-guided walk and theres a brochure available from the visitor information centre. However on Wednesday they were told by a local to get out to Windorah, they were expecting up to 100mm, the horses had been trucked to Windorah. Just make sure you take some spare fuel and water and try to avoid doing this trip in the wet season or at night. Its not often you get to see the desert like this. We had no idea of the extent of oil and gas production out here. Established as a camping site for bullock teams and originally called Sadliers Waterhole, the collection of immaculate miniature buildings creatively whittled by the late Bob Johnson representing early Morven and district is most worthy of inspection at the Morven Historical Museum. New events are defined as any event entered since 8am the previous day. Ipswich was once a thriving river port and the wealth generated by its pioneers is clearly reflected in the grand early nineteenth century architecture. Bedourie, meaning 'dust storm' has . And while theyve tried to build a decent base, its full of rocks embedded in the road. 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