Drinking water in the Australian Outback

Drinking water in the Australian Outback

by Noel McVeigh
(Port Noarlunga)

Birdsville Auto Centre

We will be traveling across country from Renmark to Yunta via Lilydale, then on to Balcanoona via Frome Downs. Then to Copley, on to Birdsville, then to Innamincka via Walkers Crossing, then on to Broken Hill via Cameron Corner and Hawkers Gate.

We are not shure of where water is availably for drinking through this area. We plan on carrying 40 litres of drinking water. We are interested in knowing what else we should carry beside two spare tyres, fan, belt and hoses.

Regards Noel McVeigh

Comments for
Drinking water in the Australian Outback

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Sep 05, 2009

Outback water
by: Rita

Hi Noel,
you are planning a wonderful trip to my favourite parts of the Australian Outback.

First of all, although you should be prepared for emergencies and the possibility to get stuck between destinations, you'll be able to restock with bottled water in all towns and roadhouses along the way.

Quality of tab water varies throughout the Outback. Whether or not you'll be able to refill your water cans with edible town water is beyond me. Some towns, like Innamincka, don't even have "prepared town water". People use the muddy water of Cooper Creek and let it settle in their private tanks.

In Copley we were told that their water is the best you can get, they advised us to refill all cans because there won't be any good tab water available further north.

You might also consider to take a
water filter system like the aqua straw..

Apart from the 20 l water supply for the kitchen sink in the camper (we used that for cooking), we always brought at least 20 l as an emergency ration which we didn't touch until we were close to densely populated areas again. Water for daily use we bought along the way, or got it from the tab in towns when the locals told us it is good for drinking.

Carrying two spare tyres, some spare parts and essential tools is a good idea.
Another reader travelled parts of your route a few months ago. Check out his report.

The Birdsville Track was very stony, which resulted in a flat tyre. Don't forget to reduce your tyre pressure on rough and sandy roads.

Marree, Mungerannie and Birdsville have basic spare parts, tyres and repair services. The same is valid for Innamincka, Milparinka and Tibooburra.

Have a safe trip. Would be great if you come back and tell us how it was. :)

Rita

Recommended maps for your tour:
The map below covers the tracks in the north-east of South Australia, including the Cameron Corner area.

Sep 21, 2011

birdsvilee track
by: Anonymous

hi, we have just done the birdsvilee track with no probs of our own but all the rest of our group had probs,i recomend taking u bolts d shacles regular nuts and bolts,also putting cardboard across the back window
(4wheeldrives)and across the gas bottles on your van,we did ours and were fine but saw where the massive rocks had been,others that had not done this resulted in broken windows,it was agreat trip but you certainly need to take care at all times, we loved it.

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