Border track from top to Red Bluff (1 day driving), then veer into Big Desert for another day of offroading and from there we will have a couple of options. Either play around on some sand and some dunes and camp in Big Billy Bore, or mission it to snowdrift camp ground which is a good camp spot but is a bit far due to lack of linking tracks according to maps. If we make it to snowdrift it will be around 300kms in total of offroading for both days.
Day 1 - Drive up to Pine Soak Hut Campground $12 Camping Fee booking required + SA Park Entry Permit ($10) - 6.5 hrs drive approx
Day 2 - Border Track to Red Bluff - SA Park vehicle entry permit same as day 1 - Camp at Red Bluff free camping
Day 3 - Big Desert day, find some tracks and some dunes. Camp in Big Billy Bore or Snowdrift - Free Camping
Day 4 - Drive back to Melbourne - 5.5 hrs drive approx.
Border track is in the Ngarkat Conservation Park which has a $10 ($8 concession) per vehicle entry fee. Booking is mandatory -
https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/Murray_River/ngarkat-conservation-park/booking/vehicle-entry-fees
Friday night we will camp at Pine Soak Hut Campground ($12 per night) - Booking Required - https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/booking/details#/accom/73211
This place is relatively remote once you are in the desert, so please be prepared. The tracks will be normally very easy driving, the sand in most places is quite compact and some places it's wavy (not corrugated) but it's quite fun area especially giving a red hot go at some of the dunes for a play. Also Border track is one of those iconic tracks that you must do at least once.
Looking at average temperatures and weather in the past around this area, looks like end of September, beginning of October is best as days average 20 to 25 degrees, which is the kind of weather you want to enjoy this environment. Also Daylight savings will enable us to enjoy the days longer. At night it also gets quite cold so be prepared.
Please note that starting point is 6.5 hours drive from Melbourne and where we ending from is rougly over 5 hours drive to Melbourne. So you will need the full 4 days for this trip. You cannot come Saturday and leave Sunday (unless you live in Mildura or close by)
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