Thread: Which Outback track?

I've "done" some of them, but of those that I haven't I would pick the Canning Stock Route. Long, remote, legendary and interesting.

The other would be Madigans Line which may come under the Simpson Desert, but its not the commonly used route. Why, because it is remote, rugged and history rich also. Oh, and I never made it on the trip last year that I was going to go on.

I have just come back from the "victorian Loop" Flinders ranges, Birdsville Track, Innaminka, Camerons corner, Tibborra Broken Hill etc. Interesting easy and Historic area so this one is a good one to start. Interesting to note that Diesel is certainly king out there. Innaminka 4 pumps-3 Diesel, 1 regular unleaded. No LPG gas anywhere
Living in Gippsland, I have been through all the high country and these are best done October through to May as most of the better tracks are closed for the Winter. Lots of good historic areas and allot of medium to hard 4wding. Free camping over most of the High country and all within easy distances of a fairly big population center to replenish supplies.
I would guess being from WA is going to make most of your mind up for you as it is a long way to go just to go to the Vic High country for example.
Whatever track you end up going to just do it. I always talked about going to the Birdsville track and it seemed like such a hard thing to do but once you are there and actually doing it, you wonder what all the fuss and concern was for.
I always say the best destination is the one you are going to today!!!

Absolutely, likewise the destination is the journey.

Interesting. We actually have a plan for Cape York in September, but some of those who were coming may pull out (fancy using having had a baby as an excuse to stay home!), so we have to decide if we go anyway or divert somewhere else with them.
Have done the lower Flinders but didn't continue up the centre.

As for the vehicle, I'm thinking of adding lockers, new MTs, a larger fuel tank and maybe even a winch before we go (if the budget allows). Older son's wedding is consuming our spare cash at the moment, but he gets hitched next weekend, so after that there's hope.

Ahhhh, no.... most definately keep heading up to the Cape!!!!! It is a simply stunning area to see and there is lots and lots to see and do. "Doing" the Cape is probably the word. I loved every millisecond of it up there..... well, except for when I punctured the radiatior at least. Cape and Fraser Island are my favourite destinations, both being very different. To be honest I would take the cape over the Outback, and I do still love the outback + desert.

In terms of additions, we went up with all of the kit, and the Simex and long range fuel tanks were the most used mods. Used the winch once while trying to keep a troopy on its wheels at Gunshot and the lockers when playing silly buggers. These tyres meant we could run low pressures all day not only for traction, but they absorb the vast majority of the vibrations from the corrugations. The long range fuel tanks because it used a fair bit of fuel to get to some of the places and to do some of the tracks - it also meant we didn't have to buy fuel at the start of the OTL where it was the most expensive!

Just not sure about going on our own towing the camper, particularly if we go up the coast power line track to Cooktown, assuming it hasn't rained. Can take the chicken tracks from there I guess.

Do you mean the Bloomfield track or the CREB track?

The Bloomfield can be steep, but the steep parts are sealed. CREB - wouldn't even consider it with the camper. I'd be more concerned about other parts up at the cape with a camper. Then again, how many of the good tracks would you do solo with a Camper... I wouldn't even cross the Simpson solo with a camper. Birdsville/Oodnadatta/Strzlecki etc are all graded highways.

Yeah, we're going to review our whole plan.
The camper is a heavy-duty Aussieswag so it can handle corrugations, but I'm not planning to tackle too many sand dunes or too much mud with it, mainly for traction reasons.
Its been through the Flinders, and dry unsealed roads are generally no problem, but I wouldn't tackle the Simpson with it, certainly not alone.
The original plan was for the Cape was for our camper to be the kitchen for the whole party, with the others using tents.
That's going to be reviewed if we go alone. Might be buying an OzTent.