Birdsville via Innamincka (from Melbourne)

sjm

Forum Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2011
Messages
199
Location
Victoria, Australia
Merry Christmas to all,

I've just returned from a 7 day, 4200 km trip from Melbourne to Birdsville and return.
It was a trip of extremes - 46 degrees one day, and miles of slushy deep mud the next!

The full trip report is here: https://stevenmerrifield.com/birdsville/index.html, but I've attached a couple of teaser pics below:

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Some lovely pics there, SJ :).

Looks like a terrific trip :biggrin:.
 
Great trip mate, and although probably not most people's choice of time of year I do realise that sometimes choice isn't available.

Fantastic pics too. Certainly was an early start at Silverton based on the long shadows. When we were there you could hardly see the pub for parked vehicles. You snapped some of John Dynon's brilliant artwork too, but the best was inside his studio (bound to be closed that early).

Looking at that tyre, whatever tore it a new one was sizeable and nicked the wheel - did you see the offender?
 
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Enjoyed your photo journal of the trip immensely, some of the scenery and architecture reminds me of my childhood in South Africa. Going to have to put Oz on one of my have to get to places!!
 
zippo said:
Great trip mate, and although probably not most people's choice of time of year I do realise that sometimes choice isn't available.
...
Looking at that tyre, whatever tore it a new one was sizeable and nicked the wheel - did you see the offender?
Click to expand...

The time of year wasn't my first choice, but now having done it over Christmas, I'd definitely recommend it - the tracks were empty - other than in the township areas, I didn't see another vehicle at all. It was awesome.

As for the first puncture - I did see the offender, but there are so many rocks out there it's a case of swerve to miss one, and hit another. The second puncture was more of a surprise though, as it was a rear wheel - I guess I must have dislodged a sharp stone with the front tyre, and it then stabbed through the rear. I was getting a little concerned after the second one blew - I only took three spares!
 
Awesome trip report - looks like you had a great time. Cool photos too. 46 degrees is a tad warm though - I'd definitely be cooling off in the water. Hope you had lots of drinking water and a satphone (or spot)!

Just out of curiousity - what size of Geo got the puncture - is it a 215/65/r16?
 
Tweaksta said:
Awesome trip report - looks like you had a great time. Cool photos too. 46 degrees is a tad warm though - I'd definitely be cooling off in the water. Hope you had lots of drinking water and a satphone (or spot)!

Just out of curiousity - what size of Geo got the puncture - is it a 215/65/r16?
Click to expand...

Thanks. I started out with 100 litres of drinking water, and for the record my tyres are 225/55R17.
 
Awesome trip, that flooded section looked almost impassable ! Those tyres look like stock HT ones, if so that was pretty brave I wouldnt attempt this trip in anything less than an AT pattern, anyhow cant wait now to do this trip myself.
 
Gidday TC

:welcome: to the talkie part of the ORS forum, mate.

It helps if you put your (approximate) location in your user profile ...

It's been my experience that most tyres work reasonably well, regardless. However, it is always best to have reasonably appropriate tyres for the job at hand. Just don't get hung up on it ... :poke: :cool:.
 
hey SJM was wondering is your Subbie diesel or petrol, if petrol how easy feul to buy on the way and did you carry extra in jerry cans

Les
 
G'day & Welcome Taroona

SJM hasn't posted for over a year. I've been out there several times (both petrol and diesel) and yes, you can get fuel OK but you must fill up at every opportunity and never count on fuel being available at the next fuel stop as they do sometimes run out. So, yes, always carry extra fuel. In my Foz I would carry extra 40L; my Triton has 150L capacity so I don't have to worry too much.
 
Thanks Kevin,

I wasnt going to go birdsville down to Port Augusta but Brisbane, Broken hill to Port Augusta and then up the track to Ayers Rock ( I'm not PC, to old to care) and then three ways to Qld. The last time I travelled up the track was in 1970 in a Holden Ute when I left Tassie for the mainland..

I have a 2.5 so wondering more about the availabilty of petrol.

Les

And thanks for the welcome
 
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Hi SJM, I'm planning to do a central Australia trip and would like to know if you did any mods to your car. Looked like a great trip and great pics memories. I've just joined and looking for general information about conditions etc. Cheers Les
 
Ground clearance is fairly important and minimise weight. Some of those sand dunes are a bit bouncy.
Carry a second spare and extra 40 l fuel.
Tyres down to about 16/18 for the sandy bits if you intend on desert crossings.
SA Subaru Car Club is, hopefully, traversing the Simpson in July. Might be worth talking to them.
 
If anyone is planning travelling in the next few weeks, check for track closures. There's been a heap of rain and many of these tracks are still closed
 
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