Over 300 livestock trucks use new barge to transport 12,000 cattle

Since opening in early November as an alternative to the flooded Birdsville Track, over 300 heavy vehicles have used the Cooper Creek barge, transporting approximately 12,000 cattle.

The Cooper Creek barge has been ferrying vehicles and passengers across the flood-affected outback for over a month, reconnecting pastoralists, tourism operators, and essential freight routes.

The $27.4 million barge, jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, allows for safe crossings in Cooper Creek until permanent road access is reinstated.

Following the closure of the Birdsville Track in June due to floodwaters, cattle have needed to make a much longer journey to Adelaide or be sold in Queensland. This had a significant impact on the South Australian economy – putting both meat supply and jobs at risk.

Since commencing public operations, the new barge has carried 608 vehicles, including 305 heavy vehicles and 1664 passengers.

The SA Government says it has been working closely with pastoralists and locals in the area to ensure operations are meeting needs, including extending running hours to best accommodate truck movements and prioritising the transport of livestock and essential supplies.

The barge will continue to run seven days per week, from 7am to 5:30pm – including over the Christmas and New Year period. It is expected to continue operating throughout January 2026.

Water levels and weather conditions continue to be closely monitored, with planning also underway for the re-opening of the Birdsville Track. As this track has been inundated since June 2025, some repairs are expected before traffic could safely travel.

The exact timing of the track re-opening and the barge finishing operations depends on any further heavy rains received, the volume of water travelling down from Queensland and impact on water levels at the crossing.

Historically, outback flood events have occurred in consecutive years – including 1974-1975, 1989-1990 and most recently 2010-2011.

With the barge fully owned by the State Government as a long-term investment, it will be available to minimise disruption during future major flood events.

The barge is the largest of its type in South Australia, capable of transporting fully loaded A-doubles.

Constructed from 12 modular pontoons and assembled on site with two cranes, the barge ensures safe crossings until permanent road access is reinstated, effectively opening the Birdsville Track corridor for both freight and tourism.