Thread: Roads around Lake Eyre(SA). Anyone been recently? Suitable for oldies on motorbikes?

I can only speak from experience of the "road' into ABC Bay from William Creek.
3 years ago it was one of the worst corrugated roads I had ever been on, so much so that I found it better to make my own track off to the side when possible.

AFAIR there are a few sandy stretches but it is reasonably firm going. There are numerous Mica outcrops which are really unusual in OZ
Regards Philip A

Having visited Lake Eyre in 1997, a dry year, the track in from Marree via Muloorina Station was soft and sandy. I expect the tide of 4WD trippers doing this track would turn it into a nightmare for bikes.

Lavel Post Bay/Muloorina PAR / Lake Eyre - 4x4 Earth Australia for 4WD Tracks

http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quick...oads/area1.asp

The following has some relevance to current discussion in this thread: Fencing to help protect outback Lake Eyre - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Cheers
KarlB

Hi David, SWMBO and I've been to both Lake Eyre and Lake Eyre Sth last year and in 2010.
Don't know much about bikes but I agree with PhilipA's comments on road conditions. I would not like to be riding a heavily loaded road bike in.
It's about 70 Km in to Lake Eyre from the road just south of William Creek. The road starts out OK but becomes quite corrugated and then sandy as you approach ABC Bay and Halligans Bay.
Generally you cannot actually reach the lake itself (like at the beach) as it's surrounded by very gooy sticky grey mud. Certainly no sticking your toes in the water. I would describe the 'campground' and environment at Lake Eyre as dusty, windswept and flyblown. There is no campground shade but there are toilets and a picnic shelter. It is a very miserable place from a camping perspective.
I would suggest setting up camp at William Creek and taking a day trip into the Lake if this is what you want to do. A far better way to see Lake Eyre and the 'big picture' is to take one of the many flying trips available over the Lake and its environs. I suppose that's easy for me to say as I've driven in to Lake Eyre on a number of occasions and IMO, really, the pains not worth the gain.
Lake Eyre Sth is a bit different though. Muloorina waterhole is about 50 Kms in from Maree on a pretty good road (last few k's a little bit sandy but no big deal). Plenty of good campsites, ample shade, lots of waterbirds and all in all a genuine oasis and pleasant place to stop. Camp fires OK but wood is scarce so you'll need to bring your own.
From here it's another 40 K's or so to Lake Eyre Sth. This track is sandy and corrugated but (from memory) not as bad as the worst bits into Lake Eyre. There is another windswept, flyblown 'camp ground' at the end of the track but, according to the signs, camping is no longer permitted here. I found this drive and destination more interesting than the drive into Lake Eyre.
Note, last year there was a major mice plague in the area. Swags on the ground could be a very entertaining experience.

PS. Don't even think about going into either places between November and March. Way to hot and dangerous.

Deano

You missed the most interesting part... what bikes do you have ?

Originally Posted by VladTepes

You missed the most interesting part... what bikes do you have ?

Yeah... what he said...

This is the beast, back in the days when she was all shiny and new.... down on Goolwa Beach. Not quite the right tyres for sand work......



Had a few drops since then so a few battle wounds, but still a great ride.

Originally Posted by DeanoH

... I would describe the 'campground' and environment at Lake Eyre as dusty, windswept and flyblown. There is no campground shade but there are toilets and a picnic shelter. It is a very miserable place from a camping perspective.

Deano

Haha!! Deano - you make is sound Sooooo appealing!! Maybe we'll give it a miss!!

Saw the ABC1 special last night on Lake Eyre, and it looked fabulous, but they did a lot of shots from Helicopters etc. That's what got us all enthusiastic.