Solar Eclipse @ ExplorOz

AnswerID: 8025 Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 30, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Andrew replied:

Here's some of the info being thrown around on 4WDing South Australia
at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4wd_out_of_adelaide

Andrew
-----------------------------------------------------------
G'Day all,

I'm planning on flying over from Sydney for the solar eclipse on 4
Dec. and then doing a few days touring with my brother in law (keen
astronomer). I'd like to come over in my car (GU3 Patrol TD42T), but
time, cost of fuel, food etc. and the fact we're driving to Adelaide
for Christmas makes it probably impractical :(

My BiL's only got a 2wd wagon. Can anyone tell me if the condition of
the main dirt roads linking Leigh Creek, Marree, then south to Roxby
Downs are suitable for a normal car, with his expensive telescope in
the back ?
BiL reckons Roxby's a more reliable clear sky site for the eclipse
than Ceduna (which will be a zoo anyway, with thousands of people
from all over Oz and overseas).

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Richard C
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hello Richard,
I haven't been up that way this year but prior to that have travelled
the
roads you mentioned by 4wd and seen a number of normal passenger cars
on
them.
Leigh Creek to Maree - No problem, last time I was there it was
bitumen to
Lyndhurst and smooth unsealed road to Marree (it had just been
graded).
Marree - Borefield Road, along the Oodnadatta track was a little
corrugated
but there were a number of cars on it.
Borefield Road down to Roxby was a very smooth unsealed road.
However, this was some time ago and I guess conditions could change
quite
quickly.

Cheers,
Jerry.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hi Richard and the rest of the group,
We have just returned from a trip to Dalhousie Springs ans traversed
the Oodnadatta track up and down. The track is quite suitable for
single axle drive (2WD) The track up to the turn off to Roxby is
good. Some areas had deep ruts in the loose rocks so watch out for
your underbodie or try to ride on the crests of the build up. We took
a Ford Falcon Wagon to the Curdimurka Out back ball a couple of years
ago and came back to Adelaide via Roxby so I dont have any update on
that track. But it was fine at the time. Enjoy the 30 seconds of
Eclipse.... :-)

Cheers Paul
Subaru Outback
-----------------------------------------------------------
Re Marree, Lyndhurst, Borefield rd (which runs north from Roxby downs
to the Ooodnadatta Track)conditions etc...try the RAA (our state
motoring body).

Or ring the pub at Marree & ask them,

Or the caravan park at Roxby Downs. Telstra phone directories should
be able to give a #.

Also try the Govt. road conditions reports. There is a link in
ExplorOz...somewhere.

I would find it hard to beleive that there will be more or less light
pollution at either Lyndhurst and/or Roxby. Remember there are
observatories in the northern Gammon ranges (Gammons are the very
north of the Flinders Ranges slab of uplifted country). Why would
they put one there when they coulda gone on flat ground at Roxby
Downs or Woomera region??

Cheers

Rick
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hi all,

Let me introduce myself. I am from Sydney, and drive a 1HDT 80 eries,
and am looking at driving over for the eclipse of the 4th December. I
would prefer to view it from somewhere other than the bitumen, and
would perfer to be inland to avoid possible cloud cover. A bit of
4x4ing to get there would also make the trip more fun :)

I was thinking of trying the track which is to the west of Lake
Gairdner, which starts at Iron Knob, goes up via Nonning, Moonaree
and ends at Kingoonya.

Has anyone been out in this area?

Is the area accessible to the public, or do you need permits etc?

Is possible to get from Kingoonya to the Stuart Highway, and avoid
the Woomera prohibited area ? (Some of my maps show that the Stuart
Highway passes by Kingoonya, others show it that is goes nowhere near
it. The Auslig 1:250000 of Kingoonya is dated 1984)

What is the terrain like? As the eclipse will be quite low in the sky
at totality, a clear view to the west is required.

Any assistance / advice or other opions on where to observe the
ecilpse is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

David

-----------------------------------------------------------
Hi David,
Check out this site http://astronomy.trilobytes.com.au
The guy's a friend of my brother in law in the Astronomical Society
of S.A. His site has some useful links and lots of excellent 1st hand
information. He doesn't have a 4WD however, so his locations may not
suit you. Most of the astro people are heading inland.
I'm flying down for the eclipse (see my previous post re: road
conditions). Enjoy the trip :)

Regards,

Richard
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hi Richard,

Thanks for the link. I am going with a friend who is a keen amateur
astronomer and photographer. I would like to do some 4WDing along the
way, so as to make the trip more enjoyable. As my wife points out, it
a long way to go for 30 seconds of darkness!!

Cheers

David
-----------------------------------------------------------
>> SNIP
> I was thinking of trying the track which is to the west of Lake
> Gairdner, which starts at Iron Knob, goes up via Nonning, Moonaree
> and ends at Kingoonya.SNIP>
>
Easy driving, well maintained dirt roads. 2wd territory, really.
Lovely scenery, gentle rolling hills in the southern section.

Towards Kingoonya, landscape flattens out, less timber etc. In the
northern leg of that trip, I would imagine it would be good for sky
gazing, good 360 dgree views mostly. From Kingoonya it is an short,
easy run east to Glendambo on the Stuart highway (pub, caravan park,
2 x servos etc).

No permits needed.

In reality only one campsite, in a Public Access Route, near the
southern end of Lake Gairner. But there are hills there; however,
just behind the campground there is a hill with a walking trail to
the summit. 15 minute walk to the top - watch out for 'roos at dusk.
From there sweeping, panoramis views 360 degrees.

Enjoy

Rick (who was there 4 weeks ago)

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