b'dry sand of the Finke River. Onceover the river the track follows the oldGhan line all the way to Alice Springs. The annual Finke Desert Raceutilises the track that in the railwaydays would have been travelled byworkers maintaining the line. The raceon Queens Birthday weekend is wellworth attending. Alice Springs comes Pedirka station. 1989alive with thousands of spectators,drivers, riders and support crews. To A self-confessed rail fan, Jeremy spares and tyres may be available atfit in with the crowd, you really should Brown has detailed the whole route Oodnadattas iconic Pink Roadhousebe driving something like a 70 series from Port Augusta to Alice Springs. but be prepared to wait and pay highLand Cruiser with a few swags and a There are photographs of everything prices due to the location and freightcouple of big Eskys in the tray. Its you are likely to see. The book costs. Replacing tyres that are not aamazing to consider that the best contains very detailed maps of all the common size can be a real issue ascompetitors will cover the punishing sections of the route and comprehen- they might have to come up from Port229 kilometres of whoops, deep sand sive descriptions, timelines and Augusta or Adelaide. If you have anand rocky sections, in about two charts. This would be a brilliant book issue it is probably better to try tohours.to have as your companion on a trip head out to a bigger centre likeBundooma Siding is probably the along the route or as a shared Coober Pedy. Although the Ghan linebest of the sites along the Old Ghan resource for a 4x4 club trip exploring tracks are in remote locations you willHeritage Trail, with its dark brooding the history of the Ghan line.not be alone. Plenty of vehicles travelwater tank and backdrop of red sand Camping along the route is not as the routes during tourist season, thisdunes. The ruins all along the old easy as it used to be. Station is particularly true now that moreGhan line make fantastic subjects for managers are less tolerant of tourists people are travelling within Australiaphotographers. For bird watchers, the setting up on their land due to the due to overseas travel restrictions. water and shelter at the ruins attracts bad experiences many of them have Following the old Ghan line wouldmany different species, some that had with campfires left burning, make an excellent easy paced clubwould not normally venture into those groups camping near water sources, trip or family adventure. There arearid regions.which prevents cattle drinking, cutting plenty of places to explore and soakThere are some excellent resources down trees for firewood, rubbish left up the history. Best tackled in winterfor further research and tour planning. behind and people driving across months, the nights will be chilly, butWestprint Maps have both digital and their land. As one exasperated cattle the days are usually pleasantly warm.paper maps of the Oodnadatta Track station manager we knew told me a Rain can quickly turn the roads intoand the route Oodnadatta to Alice few years ago, these people think skating rinks and the OodnadattaSprings listed on their website. Hema that just because a track is on a Track can be closed by authoritieshave maps covering the areas with all topographic map, it is O.K. to use it. after heavy rainfall to protect thethe key places shown. You might be Tread lightly and be mindful of private surface. Be warned, the old Ghan lineable to find a copy of The Ghan, The property. flies still love the smell of bacon andStory of The Alice Springs Railway by Marree, William Creek and eggs in the morning!Basil Fuller, it was first published in Oodnadatta all have fuel available. By Greg Rose.1975 but has been reprinted. Fuel is usually available at Aputula Land Rover Owners Club ofAn outstanding book is Along The however we have often found the Gippsland.Old Ghan Line, A Guide To community store to be closed. Fuel is Land Rover Owners Club ofDiscovering The Old Ghan Railway also available at the community of Victoria.by Jeremy Browne. The book is very Titjikala (Maryvale), but opening hoursnew, having been published in 2020. would need to be checked. Repairs,Finke River crossing. 1989Finke Desert Race. How to loadyour swagsBundooma Siding. 2006TRACKWATCH MARCH 2021 17'