Walkers Crossing

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesBirdsville
FinishInnamincka
DifficultyDifficulty 2.5/5
Suitable For4WD Motorbike 
Distance364.62 km
Minimum Days1
Average Speed57.4 km/hr
Travel Time6 hrs 21 mins
Page Updated: 25 Mar 2023

Description

This track is a designated Public Access Route. It offers an alternative route for driving between Birdsville and Innamincka through the flood plain country of the nothern overlow of the Cooper Creek before rising onto the Sturt Stony Desert on the Birdsville Track. Unmaintained and often impassable due to rain or floods this track is strictly dry weather only. It takes around 6 hours in good conditions. The track also passes through private property and SANTOS gas and oil field operations. Please follow the markers carefully to avoid becoming lost in the maze of tracks. It is definately 4WD only and travel in the company of a convoy or with a digital navigational mapping system guiding the way is recommended.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2024 mapset!

Environment

Use wood for cooking sparingly in these places and take out all rubbish.

History

Walkers Crossing is a an actual point along this route that is signed with PAR markers (WKX 126.4) The crossing is named for Syd Walker who worked in SANTOS Field Services Division at Moomba. He was responsible for the rebuilding of this crossing of the Cooper Creek which suffered regular flood damage. Soon after the project was completed Syd had a massive heart attack and in his honour, the men of Field Services decided to name the crossing after him and built a memorial at the crossing. Later an attempt was made to steal the plaque so Field Services removed it to Moomba for safe keeping.

TrekID: 78

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
All travellers are recommend to read the 4WDriving Topic for related articles and checklists for preparing your vehicle and ensuring you are aware of the necessary driving skills to tackle a trip of this nature.

All travellers should understand that mobile phones are not a reliable form of communication when driving in this region. We advise that you refer to the Communications Topic for related articles to help you decide what communications devices suit your budget and purpose.

NOTE: The Diamantina Shire (comprising the towns of Birdsville, Betoota and Bedourie) request that UHF Ch 8 and 38 are NOT to be used unless in an emergency - these channels are monitored by the Clinics, Police and station operators and must remain clear.

Permits

None

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 51 litres4cyl 59 litres4cyl 73 litres
6cyl 56 litres6cyl 66 litres6cyl 64 litres
8cyl 56 litres8cyl 60 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Birdsville Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 123.99km NW
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C40.238.135.231.825.621.121.824.729.932.936.038.5
Mean Min. °C26.424.721.717.111.27.37.08.713.617.021.223.8
Mean Rain mm20.933.040.51.36.411.85.44.17.211.418.28.4
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Birdsville to Birdsville Tk & Birdsville Dev Rd
Driving: 3.91 km
Heading: 131°
Avg Speed: 49.39 km/hr
EST Time: 04:44
Birdsville Tk & Birdsville Dev Rd to SA-Qld Border
Driving: 9.22 km
Heading: 182°
Avg Speed: 43.79 km/hr
EST Time: 12:37
SA-Qld Border to Birdsville Tk & Pandie Pandie Access
Driving: 14.32 km
Heading: 169°
Avg Speed: 83.62 km/hr
EST Time: 10:16
Birdsville Tk & Pandie Pandie Access to Wiripirie Bore
Driving: 27.45 km
Heading: 159°
Avg Speed: 80.4 km/hr
EST Time: 20:29
Wiripirie Bore to Page Family Grave Site Turn Off
Driving: 33.01 km
Heading: 159°
Avg Speed: 73.71 km/hr
EST Time: 26:52
Page Family Grave Site Turn Off to Page Family Grave
Driving: 7.32 km
Heading: 27°
Avg Speed: 53.34 km/hr
EST Time: 08:14
Page Family Grave to Page Family Grave Site Turn Off
Driving: 7.32 km
Heading: 207°
Avg Speed: 53.34 km/hr
EST Time: 08:14
Page Family Grave Site Turn Off to Blue Ute Bore 1
Driving: 10.41 km
Heading: 168°
Avg Speed: 84.38 km/hr
EST Time: 07:24
Blue Ute Bore 1 to Birdsville Tk & Walkers Crossing Tk
Driving: 22.73 km
Heading: 210°
Avg Speed: 62.41 km/hr
EST Time: 21:51
Birdsville Tk & Walkers Crossing Tk to Christmas Creek
Driving: 74.9 km
Heading: 145°
Avg Speed: 43.83 km/hr
EST Time: 01:42:31
Christmas Creek to Kilanjennie Waterhole
Driving: 15 km
Heading: 167°
Avg Speed: 61.88 km/hr
EST Time: 14:32
Kilanjennie Waterhole to Walker's Crossing - Cooper Creek
Driving: 9.69 km
Heading: 181°
Avg Speed: 54.33 km/hr
EST Time: 10:42
Walker's Crossing - Cooper Creek to Gidgealpa Waterhole
Driving: 51.81 km
Heading: 145°
Avg Speed: 59.52 km/hr
EST Time: 52:13
Gidgealpa Waterhole to Wadrawadrinna Waterhole
Driving: 39.47 km
Heading: 102°
Avg Speed: 73.86 km/hr
EST Time: 32:03
Wadrawadrinna Waterhole to Fifteen Mile Tk & Wills Grave Access
Driving: 20.73 km
Heading: 60°
Avg Speed: 76.05 km/hr
EST Time: 16:21
Fifteen Mile Tk & Wills Grave Access to Fifteen Mile Tk & Kings Marker Access
Driving: 10.29 km
Heading: 74°
Avg Speed: 38.34 km/hr
EST Time: 16:06
Fifteen Mile Tk & Kings Marker Access to Strzelecki Tk & Fifteen Mile Tk
Driving: 5.59 km
Heading: 57°
Avg Speed: 42.98 km/hr
EST Time: 07:48
Strzelecki Tk & Fifteen Mile Tk to Innamincka Town Common Turn-Off
Driving: 0.67 km
Heading:
Avg Speed: 35.8 km/hr
EST Time: 01:07
Innamincka Town Common Turn-Off to Innamincka
Driving: 0.78 km
Heading: 40°
Avg Speed: 19.68 km/hr
EST Time: 02:22
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Facilities

Where to Stay

Camping is available in Innamincka Regional Reserve, or along Christmas Creek. Do not camp in other sections of this track - this is part of the agreement of the PAR.

Services & Supplies

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

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