The Real Outback - Oodnadatta Track (Leigh Creek to Mt Dare). Ep.47 ROADTRIP AUSTRALIA
Here we go! We have just left the Flinders Ranges and now we are en-route to Mt Dare! Last year we started the Oonadatta track from Marla however we had car troubles and only made it the Old Ghan Bridge.
This time we were more prepared for our endeavour. We stopped in at the most iconic spots along the track, our favourite being Coward Springs and the Old Ghan Bridge.
Starting at Marree (the southern end of the track) means you start in an iconic outback town - the site where both the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks begin.
There’s quite a bit to see at Marree
The Blitz Truck that belonged to the famous Birdsville Track Mailman, Tom Kruse
Grab a beer, a bite to eat, or stay overnight at the famous Marree Hotel
Historic Hergott Springs (just outside of the town)
The famous Marree Hotel: make sure you have a beer!
When you get to Coward Springs, stop and take a swim or should that be bath in the hot tub? (Yes, it really is a spring-fed hot tub, but there’s only room for 5 or 6 people).
Coward Springs is a popular campground, located next to a natural wetland and nestled beneath a grove of massive Athel Pines. Oh and for travellers with Optus cover it has its very own tower.
Coward Springs Campground
The campground can get busy here, but whenever we’ve stayed, we’ve always been able to find a place to camp a little away from others.
The current fees for the campground (2018) are $12.50 per adult, with children half price.
As well as the hot tub, Coward Springs has showers and toilets, camel tours (during winter), a small museum and several walks. If you’re into birdwatching then it’s a must!
The Bubbler
It will only take you a few minutes to drive out to these unique springs from the main track, and they’re well worth a look. They are hugely important water sources for the fragile ecosystem in this area, and were used by Arabana (Aboriginal) people for several thousand years.
The Bubbler is a great little spring that does exactly what it says bubbles but not quite as you’d expect.
Heading north again up the Oodnadatta Track, you’ll come to Beresford Siding, another of the old Ghan railway stops.
Beresford has a few things to look at. The prominent tower that’s pictured below was used for the desalination of artesian water which was used in the steam trains. Also, there are the ruins of the fettlers’ cottages to explore, a flowing bore and a tree-lined dam.
William Creek is the next stop along the way.
It’s most famous for its pub, where you can also get fuel, meals, ‘donga’ style accommodation and book flights over Lake Eyre.
At the very least, have a drink at the bar! It too has Optus cover
There’s a campground across the road from the pub (you can’t miss it - there is nothing else in William Creek!)
Heading north again, you’ll come to one of the best known sites on the Oodnadatta Track, and what is probably Australia’s most photographed railway bridge: Algebuckina.
The Algebuckina rail bridge is the longest in South Australia, at 578 metres in length.
Algebuckina is located on the Neale River, and there’s a series of permanent waterholes here, which make it fabulous place to camp.
Whilst many people camp right near the bridge, if you want something a little quieter, head back to the Oodnadatta Track and right across the road, on the eastern side of the track, you’ll find some Pink Roadhouse signs and a gate.
Follow these to a much quieter camping area, which is on the banks of another waterhole.
The drive north from Algebuckina to Oodnadatta is probably the worst section of the track, as there’s a lot of corrugations, some bulldust ruts and a series of sharp bends. They have been working to repair this lately.
Be very careful driving these bends. Several tourists have died on this stretch this of road, as they were simply travelling too fast.
Before you reach Oodnadatta, you’ll pass the Mt Dutton lookout and ruins. Mt Dutton was another of the sidings on the Ghan Railway. These ruins are on private station property, so if you visit them, please leave them as they are.
Oodnadatta. At last, you’ve reached the little town for which the track was named!
As well as food, fuel, automotive repairs, grocery items and tourist information, the Pink Roadhouse has basic accommodation and camping as well. Guess what? It also has Optus cover.
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Пікірлер: 55
Very informative vlog and thank you for visiting afghan cemetery . I didn't know that Marree had afghan migrants. They were my ancestors. I am going to simpson desert in June and will definitely be going to Marree on the way.
Ref the "baby emus with heir Mumma" - Pretty sure the Dad is the one who looks after the chicks. Once the female lays the eggs her job is done!
@Sparkysontheloose
4 жыл бұрын
Fact of the day 🤙
You guys have a knack - a perfect mix of story, scenery and sharing. I look forward to the next installment!
@Sparkysontheloose
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks Benny!
What a cool adventure! Thanks for sharing!
Nice one guys..Good to see back on the road 😎
It's bitumen from Leigh Creek to Marree now. Did it in a Hybrid Camry, was 44 degrees outside, sat on 111klm/h getting 4.4l/100klm with A/C set on 17 degrees. Surreal drive.
As always great video.
@Sparkysontheloose
6 жыл бұрын
Cheers Ron!
As always great video, great couple and dog, great adventure in this country named Australia, thanks for sharing.
@Sparkysontheloose
6 жыл бұрын
Cheers Andre!
Really awesome vid! Welcome back :) U guys have some killa feeds hey nom nom. Shame about the bombsite in the caravan after the long bumpy drive haha keen for the next vid cheers!
@Sparkysontheloose
6 жыл бұрын
Haha cheers Mazda! We're just about to hit the Gibb so fingers crossed the rigs make it.
Awesome trip
Australia is clearly a magnificent land I wish I cud live there 🇦🇺🇦🇺 💖 From 🇭🇰🇭🇰
I love the South Australian desert. Great video guys.
@Sparkysontheloose
5 жыл бұрын
Cheers mate, we love it and can't wait to do the Simpson crossing
@BikerBytes
5 жыл бұрын
Sparky's on the loose that and the cape are my two big bucket list items. Oh, and the Nullarbor and numerous others lol.
@mtl-ss1538
4 жыл бұрын
The ; Million Dollar Bogan ; has broken down @ Williams Creek, & needs help.!!!
I found at Bunnings picture hanging hooks 20kg. 6mm bungee. Put it through the hook tied and bent. Screwed it to the bottom frame of pop top. There was a screw there so used to that but adding a new screw would be ok. Then put the looped bungee over the cupboard handle.
good one.
Hahaha you guys got to the Farina Ruins Bakery 10 days before it opened we got there 1 day after it closed, we did the Birdsville Track for Boulia to Birdsville and then to Marree, love your vids by the way.
@Sparkysontheloose
6 жыл бұрын
Haha we will both never know whats its like. Cheers Dennis!
Bloody fantastic content guys! Loving it. Subbed :)
@Sparkysontheloose
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jimbo!
@jimbojones2457
5 жыл бұрын
@@Sparkysontheloose cheers!
Thanks for the great content. Heading that way in a week or so o n a motorcycle!
@Sparkysontheloose
5 жыл бұрын
That sounds awesome Adam, hopefully the flies have calmed down. You will love it anyway.
@mtl-ss1538
4 жыл бұрын
The ; Million Dollar Bogan ; has broken down @ Williams Creek, & needs help.!!!
Hoping to do this track in the next year or so. Question if I may, what pressure do you run on the car anda van when on dirt ?
@Sparkysontheloose
5 жыл бұрын
Hey Kym! Everyone's setup is different so tyre pressures can vary. For us the Navara is 25 front 30 rear and caravan 25 all tyres. These pressures are cold so when the tyres heat up they should increase between 0-5psi. The track was better then we expected and could of run a little higher psi if we wanted.
@kymbiddell7467
5 жыл бұрын
Sparky's on the loose, thanks for the reply, yep understand all are different, just curious, we run our BT ( when fully loaded ) 30 f, 35r and our van at 35 as a start and go lower if the rd is bad. Lowest we have been to was 15 on all at Ningaloo station on the beach 😀
Great clip guys . Loved the picture quality, can you please tell me what you used as your hand held device ?
@Sparkysontheloose
5 жыл бұрын
Cheers, That would have been go pro 6
@maxcole1961
5 жыл бұрын
@@Sparkysontheloose Thanks
What breed of dog is it , it is the. Perfect size for a traveling dog and appears obedient as most terriors tend to run away and not listen thanks john
@Sparkysontheloose
Жыл бұрын
Cattle / Kelpie
Just wondering do you guys use 5th when towing? Also do you have a heavy duty clutch?
@Sparkysontheloose
4 жыл бұрын
G'day, we do use 5th but only when cruising flat with no head wind. Highly recommend excedy hd clutch, I can't believe its still going.
Hey guys we are currently travelling Aus with our dog too but was wondering how you went with your dog at Mt Dare as it says it’s not dog friendly?
@Sparkysontheloose
5 жыл бұрын
Strange it was dog Friendly when we went through. Always best to call them up and double check. They have a lot of dingos there so be careful in that respect.
Do you have a long range tank on the Navara?
@Sparkysontheloose
5 жыл бұрын
Nah, just 2 Jerry cans, there's fuel everywhere in Aus.
What time of the year did you travel.
@Sparkysontheloose
4 жыл бұрын
Can't remember now, so long ago. It will be on our blogs on the website.
I cant believe you did not go to the Breakaways north and east of Cooberpedy
@Sparkysontheloose
4 жыл бұрын
Check out kzread.info/dash/bejne/dJ2d27mHnMWvfso.html
We need some new content
@Sparkysontheloose
3 жыл бұрын
We need some money to keep going :S
so my 170 litre long range tank would be ok LOL!!!!
@Sparkysontheloose
5 жыл бұрын
Omfg Michael haha!! Just remember if you fill it then that's 170kg of weight! That would be 1000kms for us, damn!
@mtl-ss1538
4 жыл бұрын
The ; Million Dollar Bogan ; has broken down @ Williams Creek, & needs help.!!!
I don't see the need to deflate tyres on a hard dry gravely road . Just exposing the sidewalls to extra potential for damage on sharp rocks and chewing extra fuel . Deflate when the road is soft , sand , mud ,deep bull dust and your sinking into it .
$2.40 for a litre of petrol???