Cooper Crossing Ferry

[ab56452001]

Hi , asking those with more knowledge about the subject . Do you thingk that with all the continuing Rain and flooding in Central and Western QLD and the Outback areas of S.A. having already recieved plenty that the Cooper will reach the BT this year ?, cheers .

[Bad Scott]

I see the cooper creak ferry coming into operation this year

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[ab56452001]

Just had a look at the updated Rainfall and Flood Maps , By golly even without further Catchment Rainfall , of which there;s more predicted , one would think that the Ferry being needed would be a certainty , cheers.

[westvic]

So about when??

[ab56452001]

The latest prediction 28/05/25 is that thee water will arrive around the 15th of June and the Ferry be operational start of July , though ive been told the Ferry is still in Marree . Might go up next Week , anybody ever stayed at the Cooper Crossing Free Campground ? . cheers .

[duncan]

Yes, I stayed there when the ferry worked last time. On the northern side. A great experience. However be aware if the conditions are right there may be heaps of rats at night. I recall we were sitting around the fire and the kids were cooking damper and rats came from everywhere Around the fire. Pretty amazing. luckily we didn't end up with any chewed wires in the vehicle.

[Fizzie]

Bush Rats or House / Black Rats?

[Rowlie]

 I recall we were sitting around the fire and the kids were cooking damper and rats

Duncan, I don't mind roughing it and I quite enjoy a bit of bush tucker from time to time but really? Mate if things are that bad I will try to organise a whip round. Depending on how much we get the kids should be able to get some sauce at least. Maybe even upgrade to sausages. 

[ab56452001]

Im hoping that if i get up there early that the rodents wont of had enough time to multiply  . Also was told its worse when the water recedes, they are starting to starve by then ! .

[WilSurf]

We were there many years ago when the ferry was running.
The line of cars waiting was long, I counted them, over 70.
As the ferry only runs during day light hours and it takes 30minutes to go across, it will take a few days to clear the line.
Lucky for us we were only there to see it all happening.

[ab56452001]

By the look of it , it can take up to a month between the time it takes from the first trickle coming through and it being deep enough to require the Ferry service ?

[duncan]

I recall we were sitting around the fire and the kids were cooking damper and rats

Duncan, I don't mind roughing it and I quite enjoy a bit of bush tucker from time to time but really? Mate if things are that bad I will try to organise a whip round. Depending on how much we get the kids should be able to get some sauce at least. Maybe even upgrade to sausages. 

Very funny, isn't the English language amazing. Fortunately we did have proper food for the kids and they didn't have to fend for themselves and resort to cooking the rats. And I don't know what sort of rats, could drag out the old photos. But anyway we were camping in what I would call the bush. So maybe they were bush rats 

[boobook]

Yes, I stayed there when the ferry worked last time. On the northern side. A great experience. However be aware if the conditions are right there may be heaps of rats at night. I recall we were sitting around the fire and the kids were cooking damper and rats came from everywhere Around the fire. Pretty amazing. luckily, we didn't end up with any chewed wires in the vehicle.

You were luckier than I. I did the same and was planning to stay on the Northern side. It was the last day of the Ferry. I caught the ferry northwards and drove back south on the same day.

BUT the mozzies were so bad. I've never seen anything like it. They were coming in through the vents.. I dared not wind the window down and kept diving, unfortunately.

I doubt the water will make it to the Birdsville Track this year, sadly.

[ab56452001]

12/06/25  Headwaters 45km  away from Ferry Point , travelling at around 8.5km a day its been reported . By the looks be around a week till it starts trikling over the Track id say , plenty of water behind ! , cheers .

[westvic]

not yet

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-16/channel-country-far-north-sa-floods-2025-new-barge/105538352