Lake Eyre Trip

Lake Eyre Trip

by Laura

Oodnadatta Track between Marree & William Creek

hello, we would like to travel to lake eyre now the waters are there, but would also like to visit coober pedy and see the flinders national park.
We would have 7-9 days and would be driving. can you suggest a suitable route originating in adelaide.

thank you

laura

Response to Lake Eyre Trip

by: Rita

Hi Laura,

It must be beautiful to see Lake Eyre right now. This is a nice round trip from Adelaide.

Here are my suggestions:

1. Day Adelaide - Flinders Ranges, you can stay either at Wilpena or Rawnsley Park for 2 nights.

2. Day Exploring Flinders Ranges National Park

3. Day Flinders Ranges to Marree or William Creek for 2 nights, at least.

Do you have a 4WD vehicle? There are three possibilities to get to the shores of Lake Eyre.
The Oodnadatta Track itself comes close to L. Eyre south about half-way between Marree and William Creek. But there is not much water there yet.
From Marree, the Level Post Bay track is a strictly 4WD to L. Eyre north. Same is the Halligan Bay Track from William Creek, strictly 4WD. See my Lake Eyre page for more information, and a link to a satellite map with the water levels.

Recommended maps for your tour:
This map covers the Lake Eyre Basin & tracks in the south-east.

You can also take a scenic flight over the lake, which is probably the best to see the water, and the water birds.
The Oasis Cafe in Marree and wrightsair.com from William Creek operate scenic flights over the lake. Wrightsair has scheduled 4 flights daily.

5. Day William Creek to Coober Pedy. This 165 km road crosses Anna Creek Station and the Woomera prohibited area, so you have to stay on the track.

Another option is to continue the Oodnadatta Track and take the road from Oodnadatta to Coober Pedy, with a detour to the painted desert.
For accommodation in Coober Pedy you can check out Coober Pedy hotels on my site.

I'd suggest to call the South Australia Outback Roads Report 1300 361 033, or check their website for road conditions in this area before you go.

These Outback roads are no problem when they are dry. Take it easy, drive slowly, and you'll see hazards like washouts in time.

From Coober Pedy back to Adelaide it is roughly 845 km with plenty of stops along the way if you don't want to drive it in one day.

Have a safe trip. Just use the comments link to ask more questions. Of course, it would be great if you come back after your trip, and tell us how it was. :)

Rita

Comments for
Lake Eyre Trip

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May 13, 2009

Track to Lake Eyre from WilliamCreek
by: Ric

If your planning to take the track to the lake from William creek, it is worthwhile as you can see and walk out to the water edge, (Depending on which way the wind is blowing as the water moves with the wind)
However as there is a lot of traffic on this road so depending on when it was last graded it will be heavily corrugated, allow 2 to 2.5 hours each way.

Below are some pics links taken last week May 6th, 2009

Ric's footprints to the water

Seagulls on the lake

Walk at Halligan Bay

Northern end of lake

Lake Eyre North from air

May 14, 2009

Thanks for the update
by: Rita

Hi Ric,

thank you so much for your update on track conditions. I can imagine that the track is very busy at the moment.
It is hard to imagine for someone never been on the rough tracks, that you need up to 2.5 hours for just 64 km. But you should take it easy!

Thanks for the links to these awesome photos. Check them out folks!

Feb 10, 2010

maggie
by: Anonymous

What is the lake like at the moment Feb 2010? Is it worth a visit?

Feb 10, 2010

Lake Eyre is dry
by: Rita

Hi Maggie,

the lake is dry at the moment (February 2010).
The Lake Eyre page has a link to a map of the water levels. The Lake Eyre Yacht Club updates the page whenever there are changes.

You can also use the form on the Travel West Tours page to contact Debbie and Graham Reid. They will be happy to let you know when they run a tour to Lake Eyre.

Rita

Mar 12, 2010

Lake Eyre Flows
by: Anonymous

You will have better updates on the Lake Eyre National Park 2010 updates web page then Lake Eyre Yacht Club I have watched this site over a number of years and it is not very accurate. There has been water from 3 different sources going into Lake Eyre since 17.02.10. It's run by a guy in Victoria. I live on the Warburton Creek so I would know what's happening.

Mar 12, 2010

Tell us more
by: Rita

Hi,

thanks for the tip, here's the link to 2010 Lake Eyre Water Status Update for everyone who wants to know the latest news on Lake Eyre.

Feel free to tell us all the news from the Warburton creek.

Rita