Pastoralists and tourism operators in outback South Australia are reconnected at last, with the launch of the Cooper Creek barge restoring access to key freight and visitor routes cut off by historic floods earlier this year.
The $27.4 million barge, jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, provides a lifeline for remote communities and industries.
It will operate until permanent road connections are reinstated, securing the state’s beef supply chain and supporting jobs in meat processing and regional tourism.
Reopening a critical outback corridor
The Cooper Creek barge is the largest of its kind in South Australia and can carry a fully loaded A-double road train across the floodwaters.
It reconnects freight routes between Birdsville and Marree along the 517-kilometre Birdsville Track. This is a key corridor for the movement of livestock and essential supplies, as well as a popular route for tourists.
The flooding, caused by major rainfall across Queensland’s Thomson, Barcoo and Cooper Creek catchments, inundated approximately 32,000 square kilometres in South Australia’s northeast, an area nearly half the size of Tasmania.
At its peak, flood levels at Innamincka surpassed the record-breaking 1974 event. The barge will now allow pastoralists to clear a backlog of around 10,000 cattle stranded across remote regions.
Engineering a resilient freight solution
Constructed from 12 modular pontoons, the barge was assembled on-site using cranes and transported to the flood zone. Rigorous testing was completed before it was opened for public use, ensuring it can operate safely under heavy freight conditions.
The South Australian Government collaborated closely with local pastoralists and communities to develop a solution that addresses both logistical and environmental needs specific to the Cooper Creek region.
To support the launch, roadworks have been carried out on both approaches to the crossing to ensure safe access for vehicles using the barge. Additional surface maintenance will continue in the coming weeks.
Futureproofing against floods
The government-owned barge is expected to provide long-term resilience against future flood events, ensuring that essential freight and tourism movements can continue uninterrupted during extreme weather conditions.
An online booking platform, available through the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, allows livestock owners and other users to schedule passage, view costs and access real-time availability.