14/07/2023
A trip to the desert should definitely be on your bucket list this year! 🥰
SIMPSON DESERT IMPORTANT UPDATE !!
We are extremely excited to share with you the following information!
Access to and from Birdsville via the Simpson Desert will re-open to 4WD vehicles from tomorrow Saturday the 15th July 2023!
Please read on below for more detailed information and local advise!
Update #9 (Final) from Birdsville regarding the 2023 Flood Event for your information
Flood waters from the 2023 event which started up north on 8/3/2023 are now flowing into Lake Eyre. The Eyre Creek continues to flow through Simpson Desert National Parks area and will do so for some time.
Main roads to and from Birdsville from the North, East and South are no longer effected by river flooding and are either open or open to 4WD traffic as always drive to the conditions..
Please continue to monitor Qld Traffic and local council web sites for the most current conditions.
Road Closures remaining
Walkers crossing – Closed PAR
Warburton Crossing – Closed PAR
Birdsville Inside Track - Closed
Birdsville to the West
Access to and from Birdsville via the Simpson Desert will re-open to 4WD vehicles from 15/7/2023.
Birdsville Police and local Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger have assessed track conditions along the Eyre Creek in recent days.
The QAA line remains closed at the Eyre Creek Crossing, vehicles will be required to use the Eyre Creek Northern By pass to cross the Eyre Creek.
Travelling West- QAA Line
Travellers will approach the Eyre Creek on the QAA line and then detour North for approximately 35klms before crossing the Eyre Creek at the Northern bypass crossing. Travellers will continue west for a further 15klm before travelling south for approximately 30klm back to the QAA Line at the National Park Boundary.
Travelling East – QAA Line
Travellers will approach a detour sign on the QAA Line just after leaving the National Park eastern boundary. Travellers will detour north for approximately 30klms before turning east for a further 15klms. Travellers will then cross the Eyre Creek Northern By Pass before travelling south along the eastern side of the Eyre Creek back to the QAA Line.
Note: The eastern By Pass track as per most 4WD maps is passable the western by pass track is not this is why the western detour track travels along the National Park Boundary. The western detour track is marked for easy identification.
Please ensure you take all care and safety precautions when crossing Eyre Creek. Take your time and prepare and plan your crossing. Please look after the land you travel on and make sure you enjoy seeing the area after a major flood.
Persons looking to travel along the Madigan Line should check conditions around the eastern end of the track with relevant authorities/land managers, at this time there remains no access east on the Madigan Line past Camp 16/Hay River Track. The area is extremely wet and won’t be assessed any time soon.
Please continue to check Queensland Transport, SA Outback Roads, Local Councils and Desert Parks road reports /closures before any travel. Consider fuel loads/ supplies and alternate travel plans whilst travelling in the outback.
As always people need to be reminded to check local road condition reports online as they travel out west. As we all know conditions can change quickly.
cheers
Stephan Pursell
Officer in Charge, Birdsville Police Station, Mount Isa District | Queensland Police Service
