Simnpson Opens Tomorrow

[dean]

Entry into the Simpson from the East open's tomorrow 1st June.
The northern bypass around Eyre Ck is open, about 60km more.
In 09 the timing of the opening was similar due to Eyre Ck flooding.
Get out and have a look.
Dean

[Pajshomoneroguntero]

I flew over the Simmo the other day from Darwin to Melbourne. There is plenty of water about. The Coongie lakes and surrounds looked full of water. A number of the lakes in the Simmo had some water. The Warburton Creek had water to the top of Lake Eyre and Lake Eyre North still has a bit of water in it around about the middle.

[Ian H]

This is from the area posted today.....

Hi all, we have had some very exciting news regarding roads and tracks around Birdsville! Please take the time to read the feedback below supplied by our Birdsville Police Officer.
Cheers, Ben

Update #10 from Birdsville Police regarding the 2019 Flood Event @31/5/2019 for your information.

Hello All,

It’s fair to say that the Outback is well and truly open for business and the scenery is amazing.
A big thank you goes out to all involved who have either worked or provided information in relation to getting the roads opened in a safe and timely manner.

Council Road Reports and State Traffic Reports provide the most up to date information and travelers should continue to refer to these reports when planning their journey out west.

With the expected increase in traffic movement now that roads have re-opened and the increase in tourist coming to upcoming events, can we please continue to remind people that conditions can change without warning and they need to drive to the current conditions.

Many roads require some roadworks to be completed and in some places temporary detours have been made. Drivers need to concentrate, take breaks, slow down around roadwork sites and ensure they arrive safely at their destinations.

ROAD CONDITIONS @31/5/2019
Birdsville to the North
Roads into Bedourie are OPEN from the North (Road works in progress)

Bedourie to Windorah OPEN to 4WD High clearance drive with caution.

Bedourie to Birdsville OPEN to all traffic via Lake Machattie By Pass with caution (Approx extra 70klms).

Birdsville to the East
Birdsville to Windorah OPEN to 4WD High Clearance with caution .

Arrabury Road to SA OPEN

Cordillo Downs Road to SA OPEN from Birdsville Developmental Road to Arrabury Road turnoff.

Birdsville to the West (Eyre Creek By Pass OPEN @1/6/2019)

The Simpson Desert National Park Road (Birdsville to Big Red) is OPEN. Extreme caution is needed on this road due to washouts, rutting and corrugations as result of recent flooding, please drive to the conditions.

Access to the Munga-Thirri National Park via the QAA line is OPEN (Big Red heading west) via a bypass at Eyre Creek.

Access to Birdsville from Poeppels Corner via the QAA line is OPEN (Heading East) via a by pass at Eyre Creek
The Eyre Creek is still flowing across the QAA line. It will be some time before water recedes and the tracks dry out.
A detour/By pass track around Eyre Creek on the QAA line has been checked and where possible signed with detour and directional arrow signs to assist travellers.
The detour/By pass travels north (Approx 30klm each way) from either end of the QAA line and then east/west (Approx 15klm)

The detour crosses the Eyre Creek at a previously used crossing point. The water level at this point is Approx 300mm and the crossing is Approx 50 meters wide the base is stone/Rock based.

Extreme caution is required whenever completing a water crossing. Ensure that you check before crossing. It is recommended to travel with other people and have appropriate recovery equipment.
Birdsville to the South

The Birdsville track is OPEN to 4WD vehicles only Strictly no towing with Caution at detours and ponded water.

The Birdsville Inside Track and the Warburton Crossing will remain CLOSED.

Walkers Crossing is OPEN to 4WD vehicles, drive to track conditions.

Big Red Bash
For those travelling to the Big Red Bash will be happy to know that the event site is currently high and dry.
Barring any further weather events access to Birdsville from all directions will be possible.

Travelling to the area will be simply stunning, so please as well as enjoying the magnificent small towns and wonderful people along the way be sure to take your time and enjoy the once in a lifetime scenery that will be on display.

Cheers
Stephan Pursell
Officer in Charge, Birdsville Police Station, Mount Isa District | Queensland Police Service