Several adventurous caravanners got stranded on the South Australia’s Oodnadatta Track as rain fell in the north of the state.
The Adelaide Advertiser reports that a number of caravans became bogged on the iconic road, as the authorities warned travellers to check conditions before heading off into remote areas.
A flood-watch warning has been issued for the northeast and northwest pastoral districts with more heavy falls predicted over the next 24 hours or so.
The Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) issued an alert on Sunday warning that several roads in the Outback had been temporarily closed, including a number of sections of the iconic Oodnadatta Track.
“These roads will be reassessed in the coming days,” it said.
Around 80 to 100 people are reportedly staying at the remote town of William Creek as they wait for the track to re-open.
One of them is Grant from East Gippsland.
He told the Adelaide Advertiser said being stranded was all part of the adventure.
Uh oh! Travellers ponder what happens next after a caravan skids off the track. PIC: Supplied / Adelaide Advertiser
“At the end of the day, Mother Nature is in control,” he said. “You just roll with it … there are some great people here and everyone has a different story.”
William Creek Hotel publican Trevor Wright said he was optimistic that things would dry up this week and people would be able to get out before more expected rain on Friday.
“Everyone is in good spirits,” he told the Advertiser. “They are getting used to the Outback life.”
Mr Wright said he would be stocking up on supplies to prepare for more severe weather over the coming months.
“Now that people are back travelling we are really starting to see these problems flare up more and more often and it’s putting a strain on the limited resources we have up here,” he said. “Fuel is the biggest issue, we are really trying to adequately stock up now because we can get food and other maintenance supplies using aviation, but we can’t bring in fuel.”
Mr Wright said problems with communication and signage in the area need to be urgently addressed, and called for the DIT to start prioritising the roads in the area with safe factual signage to alert travellers.
About 12 years ago we were stranded at William Creek for a couple of days as rain started whilst we were at Coward Springs. By the time we reached William Creek all roads had been closed!
They did a fantastic job of housing and feeding everyone!
When the road did open it was supposed to be vehicles only with no trailers – but as always people defied the ruling and at least one camper trailer blew out his tyres because his wheels stopped turning with the build up of mud and it was being dragged.
Sucked in I reckon as they ruin the road for everyone.
There was a fine system on these roads once to try and stop this behavier
Stupidity in the extreme. Make them pay for their own rescue out of their pockets.
This kind of situation is on the rise because people want to have bragging rights over where they’ve been.
It would be an plus for the roads mob to take sand from the nearest river and cover the roads with it because it being pulverized rock water will go through it and provide for a smoother safer road surface without the slippery muddy conditions