Anyone else doing Oodnadatta in April?

[sheepie]

Hiya guys - we're off in about 6 weeks for our annual trip. This time we're headed to Oodnadatta plus a bit further

Around 7,500km's over 3 weeks, all spent towing the camper trailer.

Anyone headed in that general direction? Would be great to keep an eye out for each other

[Pa]

Have a great time Leon & Luke

[willer]

Hey, I might join you!

[AJ4WD]

We will be visiting Lake Eyre for Easter, so only going up the track as far as William Creek.

[photohiker]

We will be visiting Lake Eyre for Easter, so only going up the track as far as William Creek.

So Halligan bay then? Do you reckon there will be water visible?

People seem to be predicting something similar to 2000 in terms of water levels. I've searched but not found much info on what that might look like at the publicly accessible points of the lake... Anyone have any idea?

I'd be very interested to visit as long as it wasn't crawling with people and there was actually water visible at the shore...

Michael

[sheepie]

The discussion at exploroz is suggesting there won't be water visible at public access points, which is a pity - and the opposite of what the news would have you believe (gotta love mainstream media hype don't you?).

Consesus seems to be the only way to see the water would be to take a flight from William Creek.

No doubt there'll be more than usual doing the track, which is also a pity. We're intending to do Oodnadatta and continue on up to the rock - hopefully it won't be ruined by hundreds of people towing their boats up there in case they can get on the lake!

http://www.lakeeyreyc.com/:

Of course the tourist industry would prefer the Lake to be full for only the second time this century every year. The possibility of any water being in the Lake generally causes a flurry of exagerated claims to reach an ignorant city based media. Roll out some file footage and you've got a story.

It remains to be seen how far the water makes it - I have my fingers crossed, but I'm not too worried either way.

[Oneputt]

I am heading up that way the first week in May, with the express intention of hiring a plane out of William Creek (which I will do before I leave). Whilst undoubtedly there is water in Lake Eyre there are very few vantage points to see it given the current levels.

[Oneputt]

Just booked a flight out of William creek for a bit of aerial photography in early May. Spoke to a pilot who had flown over Lake Eyre yesterday and at this stage water has not started to flow into the lake proper. It is just in the channels at the northern end.

[photohiker]

Lake Eyre Yacht Club Status Page gives a good summary including comments regarding the various river heights and expected flows.

They also have a graph of the historical flood heights since 1979 Here

Seeing we are so close, I'm tempted to do a run up before easter and another later in the year - June-August. Might do the plane trip as well, but would love to see the water from ground level...

Michael

[AJ4WD]

We will be visiting Lake Eyre for Easter, so only going up the track as far as William Creek.

So Halligan bay then? Do you reckon there will be water visible?

Extremely unlikely.
Last time I saw water there was '96 and it had filled Lake Eyre South.

If you want to see outback flooding go up the Birdsville Track. Warburton and possibly Cooper will have water. Eyre Creek can be visited from Birdsville (into the Simpson Desert) in a one day return drive. As with any outback travel - be prepared and properly equipped.