Melb - Adelaide - Coober Pedy - Albany & rtn
 

I'm in the early (probably late-early, rather than early-early) stages of planning the above trip to take place in November this year. I'm going to cheat a bit, by hiring an XT600 (with rescue cover, kit and a tent) from a reputable firm in Oz.

I'm pretty happy with most of the route - Melb - Echuca, follow the Murray to the coast, Adelaide, then head north to Coober Pedy, west to Albany then coast road back to Melb.

The problem area is the Coober Pedy - Albany bit. The are roads but they seem a bit out of the way and, having spoken with a Southern Australian yesterday, it would seem that the popular route is to double back and go via the coast.

Does anyone have experience of travelling the inland route? From the maps I have there appear to be enough towns etc on the way to make sure I cannot 'disappear', but I would like to know that the settlements do have access to petrol and a roof over my head if necessary.

Any help at this stage would be gratefully received.

Dave

I can only speak with semi-authority here as although I spent a bit of time in Oz I didn't actually ride from CP to Albany. I think the SA guy was sensible in recommending a different route as there really is absolutely nothing at all between these places, and a permit is required to travel the Tallingara track west of CP, as it crosses the woomera bomb area thing.
However all is not lost, as you could have a helluva lot of laughs (?) and adventure going east from CP (reversing the way I did it). Head off to William Creek, Maree, North to birdsville, back east to Windorah or SE to Innamincka then follow your nose south again to Melbourne.
I can vouch for this region as I had the time of my life riding there last year. Desolate and empty enough to be a challenge, but relatively safe as you're never more than a couple of hundred kms from life or petrol. Campsites available in all the above mentioned places. Although personally I thought CP was a hole....
HTH
Andy
Mail me for more info

You simply must take the inland route. It would be boring as all hell riding all over aus on the black top. I know because I've travelled 4000kms on an XR600 and 20,000kms with the XR in the back of a trailer there. Take the Oodnadatta Track, from Marree to William Creek, you can then shoot across to Coober Pedy from there, on an even quiter but great fun dirt track. The XT will be like my XR "Wanda" - quite fantastic - see my web site for details ...

Many thanks to the guys who responded both on the message board and direct. I am now heading from Adelaide up to Uluru via CP and then taking the Warburton trail en-route to Albany....

XTZ660 booked for 12 November- 17 December and its all for 'charidee' - Riders for Health - so anyone who fancies pledging a quid or two, please just give 'em the money at the next bike race you see them at.

Thanks for all the advice - any more will be greatly appreciated.

Dave

Uluru to the bottom of WA in December will need some very serious preparation. But hopefully you are on top of that.

It can be extremely hot then and a long way between settlements. Heat is the main enemy, someone dies almost every year in the Outback from heat related problems.

I have not been west of The Olgas, near Uluru, but I do live in the outback and have done many rides in the desert environment. My last ride to the centre was in April, cool nights and warm days. I was around Innamincka in September, also a good time.

Have you considered a more temperate time of year to go?

Cheers
Peter

About 2 years ago a bloke crossed from east to west following the Railway Maintenance Road that parrallels the main rail link running across the Nullarbor, rather then taking the blacktop. How hard is it? Well, he did it on a Honda 90 'Step-thru' postie bike. There's fuel etc available along the track at some of the old rail heads, more travellers then you may think actually do it. Personally i don't think there's a problem with your timing, though I wouldn't leave it any longer...at least you won't cop the humidity of crossing at the northern end.

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Stay Upright,

Andy D.