Hi lynley.des,
We travelled the Oodnadatta late April this year after doing a flight over Lake Eyre out of Lyndhurst which is the end of the tar coming up from Port Augusta. This is where the Oodnadatta and the Strezlekki Tracks starts (or finish depending on which way you look at it) and the Track was in good condition. We went up through William Creek (where you can also get Lake Eyre flights from) stayed at William Creek for 5 days (along with 10 million flies) and did the tourist thing then went onto Oodnadatta. We were going to Dalhousie Springs but we were told that we may not get through (with the van) as there was heavy rains up around that area in late Jan so we headed back out through the "Painted Desert" and glad we did, it was terrific. We have an Isuzu D-Max 4x4 with a Jayco Discovery Outback 18ft pop top and did it with ease. Remembering that you drive to suit the coinditions at the time. There are some good free camp spots, if your set up for free camp, along the way and the history about the "Old Gahan" rail is also along that way. I noted that you had a Jayco Heritage and would suggest that you invert the axles (put the axles under the springs) if you have not already done so to give you better ground clearance, have good quality A/T light truck tyres and have a dust vent in your roof of the van to stop the dust getting in. We didn't have one and wife spent 2 days cleaning and washing everything. You can also contact William Creek Hotel for road conditions when getting close, 08 8670 7880 or
[email protected] or get road conditions from Port Augusta Info Centre depending which way your coming from. I loved it out that area and we had good dry conditions at that time.
Cheers
OGF