Family Trip - Melbourne - Coober Pedy - Oodnadatta Track

by Tammy
(Melbourne )

Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy

Hi, I am very excited to be planning a trip accross S.A, Coober Pedy and then Marla down to Marree. Our Kids are rather young, 5 and 4 at the time of travel (they have done a few car holidays ) But not to this extent.

I have been constantly for 3 or so weeks looking on your web site. I have found it most helpful in every way possible. I was hoping that you may be able to help with a few questions..

We Plan to travel mid September 2010, will Lake Eyre still have water in it ...LOl.? As this is my main objective for my kids and us to experience (otherwise we will go to Alice Springs)

And how can I find out about the cost of fuel to get an understanding of the expence that trip may cost?

Is it safe to camp along the Oodnadatta track with young kids ?

I have found a few camp sites from your web site which seem to be ideal for us, so thank you .
Can u also please give me some idaes for sleeping as i am not sure ! We wanted to get a camper trailer , but want to save the cost on fuel, and the way we have so far planned the trip it is really going to bed hard with the kids to set up a big tent for an over nite stay !

I realy hope you can help with some of my questions and thank you in advance .. Keep up the awsome 'work on this web site. I love it .

Tammy

Rita's Reply


Hi Tammy,

Thanks for your kind words about my website, I am pleased that you find it helpful.

Well, how much water will be in Lake Eyre in September? I reckon nobody can predict that. On my Lake Eyre page is an info box "current lake status 2010" with two links, check those pages during the next months, they get updated quite frequently.

Whether or not you'll see water from the shore is uncertain. Everyone says you can best see the vastness of the lake from the air.

The caravan parks along the Oodnadatta Track are mostly basic but it is definitely safe to stay there. Sure you need to keep an eye on the kids as these places are often very busy in the afternoons and mornings when people come in or leave.

I understand that you don't want to set up a tent each night so there is also basic cabin accommodation available. I imagine that it might be busy along the Oodnadatta Track in the coming months, so if you decide for cabin accommodation you'll better ask if you should book ahead. You'll find some phone numbers on this page.

During the day you'll see very few cars on the Oodnadatta Track, and I was always surprised to see the CPs fill in the afternoon. We broke the Oodnadatta Track into 3 legs, so we arrived quite early and could choose the best site for the night.

As for the fuel costs, sorry I can't say much about that. It's been a while since I was in the Outback, and you know that fuel prices go always up and down (usually up, unfortunately). I read somewhere that fuel in the NT is usually more expensive than elsewhere in the Outback, but I don't know if this is always the truth.

Watch this page, perhaps another reader can give you some info about current fuel costs out there.

Have a great trip, and don't hesitate to ask more questions.

Rita

Comments for Family Trip - Melbourne - Coober Pedy - Oodnadatta Track

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May 08, 2011
coober pedy and Broome travel
by: Judy

I needed to add...two Obedience trained dogs...so they are well behaved Blue Heelers....
Judy

May 08, 2011
travelling to coober pedy
by: judy

Travelling from Melbourne...we can leave our dogs in kennels but hate to leave them for too long....we have a 4 wheel drive ...thinking of a caravan or a tent ....but would like to do the first trip in the car with the dogs....see how we go...before we decide
Just don't know of places to go...interesting things to see....
Travelling Melbourne to Coober Pedy...then later on will travel to Broome...

May 08, 2011
Where do you start?
by: Anonymous

Hi Judy,

Coober Pedy and Broome, that's quite a distance! Do you come from Broome, or do you want to see both places and live somewhere else?
To find accommodation with dogs (how many?) you need to have a rough route plan and check accommodation places along the way.
Tent or caravan? You have to decide what is more convenient for you and your husband.
It is hard to answer your question with that little information. Please give more details.

Rita


May 06, 2011
thinking of travelling to Coober Pedy
by: judy

We want to travel to Coober Pedy...Broome..we have dogs..will we get accommodation...what is the best way to travel...thinking of a caravan (husband is 73 will we spend all that money to used it once ) or should we get a tent....what are some good places to see.??
We can put our dogs in kennels

Jun 12, 2010
Thank You
by: Tammy

Thank You Tony and Rita for your imput of information. It's greatly appreciated. Tony as I like to over budget I will take $2.00 per ltr as we are on diesel. And thank You Rita I didn't realise there was c/parks along the Oodnadatta Track. I can't wait I'm having fun in just researching information. Thank you once again.

May 20, 2010
Fuel prices along the Oodnadatta Track
by: Tony B

Hello there,

In response to your inquiry regarding petrol prices, I'd be budgeting for an average around $1.50/litre overall. Having said that, some places will be more, some less. I have just returned from a trip through the Channel Country in far SW QLD, and paid 175.5 cents/litre at a place called Noccundra.

Are you planning to travel the Painted Desert road from Marla to Oodnadatta? Very worthwhile, with spectacular scenery along the way. Just make sure you check road conditions with the authorities and the locals before you set out. It's also worth calling the Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta for an update.

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