Following the closure of the Birdsville Track in June 2025 due to floodwaters and the subsequent opening of the Cooper Creek barge to ferry vehicles across, waters have receded and the final closed section of the Birdsville Track in South Australia has reopened to traffic.
The re-opening of this final five-kilometre section will allow freight operators, locals, and tourists with heavy vehicles and 4WDs to fully access the Birdsville Track in South Australia.
This also means the Cooper Creek Barge will no longer be required.
The $27.4 million barge, jointly funded by State and Federal Governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, transported approximately 13,200 cattle since opening in early November.
A total of 760 vehicles, including 330 heavy vehicles and 1295 passengers, used the barge while it was in operation.
The barge will however remain on site in the immediate future as conditions and water coming down from Queensland are monitored. And in the event of future flooding events, will be ready to operate if required.
Although the Birdsville Track has reopened in South Australia, it currently remains closed in Queensland.