There are two questions you need to consider when it comes to doing the Birdsville Track with your caravan. Firstly, is it possible with the rig that you have? Secondly, should you? In this article, I’ll give you some info that might help answer these two questions.
Firstly, though, I must put my hand up and declare that I am biased. I’ve driven the Birdsville Track many times over my 35 years of four-wheel driving (Pajeros, Nissans, Toyotas, roof-top campers, trailers, and several caravans), and I love it. But I’ll try to keep my bias in check.
The Birdsville Track
The southern point of the Birdsville Track starts about 670 kilometres north of Adelaide in the Flinders ranges at Marree. The track wanders (roughly) north for about 530km on gravel roads to Birdsville in Queensland.Â
There’s not much in between except a few bush campgrounds, a pub and the imposing Sturt Stony Desert. What this Track does offer is the pleasure of remote travelling, a genuine outback experience, bush camping with some basic facilities, and a few driving challenges. So, what about the track itself, and what does it mean for you?
Birdsville Track conditions: is it possible for you?
Let’s start with a caveat! If it’s been raining or looks like rain, don’t go. While plenty of vehicles do take on the track when it’s wet, I certainly wouldn’t advise it with a caravan, especially if you are not overly familiar with this type of driving. Also, when it’s very damp, a bypass ferry operates, and it won’t take caravans. So, let’s talk about dry conditions.
It’s not sealed, but the Birdsville track is maintained in pretty good condition. It is even okay for conventional vehicles most of the time. The vast majority of it is a comfortable, easy, flat surface. Lots of four-wheel-drives scoot along at 80km/h, which I think is too fast but is quite doable without a load behind.
But you do need to be careful because the surface of the Birdsville Track is also patchy in places. A lot of the surface is covered with small rocks called ‘gibbers’ that can cause some sliding and movement of your vehicle, especially when braking or on corners. These little suckers also spit out of the back of your rear tyres and ping off the trailer or van right back into the rear of your vehicle (think smashed glass).
You might also strike the occasional patch of soft-ish sand, and while it’s often not enough to pull you up, it could flick the rig around, especially at speed. Finally, there are a few mild ruts across the Birdsville Track, or along it where some idiot has ploughed through mud.
These things mean you’ve got to be cautious. However, they’re all manageable if you keep your speed in-check and remain attentive at the wheel.
Fuel on the Birdsville Track
Fuel (unleaded and diesel) is available at the Mungerannie Hotel, about 315km south of Birdsville. Even though the track is good, I still suggest factoring in a safety margin when calculating your fuel needs. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to give the hotel a call before you depart to check availability. After all it is the bush. I’ve never had any problems with contaminated fuel from here.
Where can you stay along the Birdsville Track?
Both Marree and Birdsville have a caravan park, hotel and cabins. Mungerannie has a camping area and dongas for the more adventurous. There are a few designated campsites along the Track with (wait for it…) toilet facilities!
One is at Clayton, about 53km north of Marree, and another at Tippipilla Creek, about 180km south of Birdsville. There is plenty of flat space but not much shade at these two, and no firewood. Then, there is the campsite at Cooper Creek. Here, you will get a bit more shade and a better chance of getting firewood if you work at it.
Apart from that, there are heaps of places along the track to camp out. Pick a spot, any spot, but don’t upset the local cockies.
Your vehicle and van
The Birdsville Track would be considered easy by most caravanners. Driven conservatively, a robust vehicle (ideally a four-wheel-drive) with appropriate towing capacity can do the job. A strong van, with adequate off-road features would be more than capable. But there are some risks.
Perhaps the most significant threat is puncturing your tyres. Both caravan and vehicle need to be adequately shod with plenty of spares.
Conventional passenger-spec tyres just won’t cut it. On our last trip, we had to help out a couple in a Subaru Forester with low-profile city tyres. We put some plugs in the sidewall, which gave him a spare to get to Birdsville and some peace of mind. He was lucky.
In these remote areas, it is also sometimes challenging to find replacement matching tyres other than the standard A/T.
I also strongly recommend that tyres be deflated by perhaps 10psi (but you need to experiment with this). Lower pressures give a softer ride, better handling and less likelihood of damage from the gibbers.
The other main worry will be from vibrations and pressure on the van from the road surface. While I have described the Birdsville Track as having a good surface, your suspension will still cop a pounding, and if everything isn’t well packed and the van well constructed, you could get some movement and possibly damage. Speed is key to minimising potential damage. There is no need to travel faster than 50 or 60km/h. Relax and enjoy.
Do you want to do the Birdsville Track?
Well, as with any travelling decision, there are pros and cons to doing the Birdsville Track with your caravan. It really is a lovely track. It’s remote, with plenty of bush camping and an opportunity to immerse yourself in classic Australian desert country.
If you read up on the history beforehand, you’ll also get the opportunity to reflect on aspects of our past: Afghan Cameleers, Tom Kruse and his mail truck, the Page family tragedy and the general challenges faced by our early settlers. This could all come together into a relaxing and rewarding experience stretching over a few days.
On the downside, there is always the possibility of vehicle or van damage due to the general nature of the track, driver error, or the stupidity of other drivers. We had a cracked windscreen last time around caused by a vehicle overtaking us at about 90km/h. You will probably get some spotting from rocks tossed around by vehicle movement. You might even get some dust in your van, and if something more serious goes wrong, it could be expensive because you are a long way out in the back of beyond.
So what do you reckon?
With a reasonably strong vehicle in good condition with suitable tyres and a few spares, you can get up the Birdsville Track pulling a caravan. The van will be up to the task if it is reasonably solid, has good tyres and spares, and is adequately dustproofed. You can’t be overly precious about things getting dirty and would need to accept the risk of some surface damage (or maybe more).
Risk mitigation involves excellent preparation (including tyres, UHF, and thorough van inspection), and defensive driving (slower speeds, maximum space between you and other vehicles, and an awareness of the challenges of driving on unsealed roads). For me, it’s a no-brainer. This is what we look for when we hook up the caravan.
But as I said, I am biased. Maybe something to think about?
Bush camps
- Tippipilla Creek: 26.9878° S, 139.0001° E
- Clayton (Station): 29.3108° S, 138.4387° E
- Coopers Creek: -25° 22′ 14.09″, 142° 44′ 44.18″
Words and images by Greg Cartan
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