Welcome to The Lindsay Family Big Trips Australia Blog! We aim to provide useful information about camping and caravanning around Australia. From planning and preparation, building itineraries, getting equipped, education on the road, where to stay and what to do. We also hope you enjoy following us on our family travels, and aim to keep this blog fun, informative, interesting and inspiring!

Tuesday 19 April 2011

LAKE EYRE MAY FILL TO THE VERY TOP but can we get there?

Hi everyone,
Only 10 days to go. One of our first destinations is the Lake Eyre region which is experiencing a gigantic flood event. Australia's largest salt lake which on average usually has a large flood of 4m every 10 yrs is flooding for the 3rd year in a row! The 2011 flood will surpass both 2009 and 2010 due to enormous rainfall in the channel country and local rain west of the lake. Cyclone Yasi helped by dumping over 8 inches to the west of the lake, sending feeder rivers into record breaking floods.  This combined with the floods from the Channel country may see Lake Eyre fill to the top, something that hasn't happened for 37 years!
Water flowing in to Lake Eyre from Coopers Creek in 2010
Rain rain go away! We are certainly departing after a phenomenal wet season, which unfortunately hasn't completely finished yet. As our departure date draws closer we've been  monitoring the outback QLD and SA road closure and weather sites.....The Birdsville Track has finally opened, and parts of the Oodnadatta Track are opening too.
Have a look at the link below to see the road conditions in the area.

Green = Open to all traffic
Yellow = Open to 4wd only
Red = Closed
Blue = Warning

http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/quicklinks/northern_roads/northern.asp

The question is will they stay open?  The town of Roma has undergone evacuation again today and more rain has fallen in the Birdsville area with flood warnings for the Diamantina and Cooper Rivers! Mmmmmm lets see what happens in the next 7 days....We might be up for a major re-route of the first stage of our Big Trip!
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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous20 April 2011 at 06:07

    My god....amazing challenges before you begin - ahh, the joy of travelling!
    Thanks for the post - you all write so beautifully (thanks Hannah for your past post!), makes us feel like we want to be there - about to embark on such an adventure.
    Jane and I are together in the middle of Croatia on my last days before I fly home. We have had a wonderful trip the last 3 weeks and wish you much love and wonder on your travels,
    Anna xxxx

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  2. Craig and Jo20 April 2011 at 12:41

    hopefully the weather Gods are nice from here on in and you can stay on track for your original route.

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  3. Sally20 April 2011 at 18:14

    Its come around so quickly for you all Lisa, how exciting, hope the flooding doesn't disrupt your first leg too much, good luck with your adventure - we miss you all :) xx

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