Outback back roads re-run July 2014

Sydney to Birdsville and return.

This was a repeat of the trip I did in 2000 but this time done clockwise which is a much better option, if done anti clockwise you could be driving into the afternoon sun and dust clouds over the crests from Cameron Corner and into Birdsville.

Quite a few photos in this post, I hope they will be of interest and useful if you are planning a similar trip. Feel free to contact me via the comments section at the end of the post if you have any questions. Total distance was just over 5000 kms. and we used $1200 in fuel [petrol].

We took three vehicles, a new Toyota FJ Cruiser, a new Toyota Prado and a 2001 Pajero with 230000 kms. on the clock. The only mechanical problem was a broken battery support on the Pajero, fixed using a velcro strap. We had no tyre problems. CB antennas on both Toyotas broke and both had cracked windscreens but I don't count those as a ''vehicle'' problem. Reading a few 4WD forums today it seems broken aerials are a common problem, especially for diesel Prados with a bull bar mount. 

There was a lot of traffic around Birdsville, there was an ultra marathon across some of the Simpson Desert which finished in Birdsville the day we arrived there and a concert on Big Red the following week. We saw hundreds of 4WD's during our trip but not one of those was from Europe, Japan rules the Outback.

We left the bitumen at Yunta S.A. and took a little used track across to Hawker, great scenery, the next two nights were spent at Wilpena Pound. 

From Wilpena Pound we travelled to Leigh Creek and then north to Marree where we joined the Birdsville Track, camping at the Mungerannie Roadhouse halfway to Birdsville.

We had two days at Birdsville and did the pilgrimage out to Big Red.

We used Walkers Crossing to travel to Innamincka, it saved us 250 kms. compared to our original plan and was a great drive, rough and sandy in places but a lot of fun.

The best thing to come out of Innamincka is the Strzelecki Track, we used the new and then the old Strzzies to get to Cameron Corner.

From Cameron Corner we went to Sturt National Park and then via Tibooburra to Mutawintji National Park. Both parks were fantastic and both are on our list to do again.The following photos were taken on the way to and then in Sturt National Park.

The following were taken at Mutawintji National Park.

We decided to do the 60km. out and back drive to the Ngiyampaa rock art near Cobar, this turned out to be a very good decision as it was the 10th. anniversary of the handover of the land to the traditional owners, there were hundreds of people there and a real party atmosphere, we were made to feel very welcome. They have leased the area back to the National Parks and it is now open to all visitors.

Unfortunately I couldn't find out the name of the group or the singer in the following video but they were so good, a great way and a very special way to finish the trip.

Gloucester Tops

I can't recall the number of times I have driven between Sydney and Brisbane on the Pacific or New England Highways or on Thunderbolts Way but until April of this year I have never taken the road from Scone to Gloucester which travels through the Barrington Tops and Gloucester Tops National Parks.

We spent 4 days camping there with a small group of friends, it really is a beautiful part of Australia. This was a test run for our planned drive to central Australia later this year. There are serious 4WD tracks in this area but most of the main sections of the parks can be reached by a normal sedan. It hadn't rained for a few weeks so the roads were very dusty but there are plenty of shallow river crossing to rinse it off, after a few kilometres what was dust then becomes mud but it was a lot of fun.

There are numerous hiking trails in the parks but no drinking water or food. You need to carry everything in with you. It is the leech capital of Australia, especially the path that goes into the forest from the ruins of Barrington House. I haven't found any repellant that works so far but salt makes them drop off. If anyone has a tip on what to use please leave a comment.

A quick drive through the last car wash for the day got some of the countryside off the car.

There's no phone or internet signal across most of the area, that in itself is a good reason to go there but there is coverage if you need it in Gloucester and also a few good coffee shops and pubs.