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all you need to know to experience an outback adventure holiday - four wheel
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TRAVELLERS UPDATE - TOURING AUSTRALIA - SOUTH AUSTRALIA
OUTBACK ROADS TEMPORARY CLOSURES, RESTRICTIONS & WARNINGS REPORT
For outback roads temporary closures, restrictions and warnings reports contact the Transport SA Road Condition Hotline on 1300 361 033 or visit the Transport SA web site:
www.transport.sa.gov.au/quicklinks/northern_roads/northern.asp
Desert Floods - Innamincka
The Innamincka causeway may be closed till early May or longer. All campgrounds are closed and may not open until mid May or later. The Coongie Lakes area may be closed until the end of the year.
The Strzelecki Track is cut at the Strzelecki Crossing.
Please contact the Innamincka NPWS office, ph: (08) 8675 9909 for more info.
For some great pics go to Lyndhurst Hotel website at: www.lyndhursthotel.com.au.
Desert Floods – Simpson Desert
The Simpson Desert crossing may remain closed for some time yet – probably to the end of May because of flooding of Eyre Creek. The Warburton Crossing is closed until further notice.Birdsville is isolated by the flood waters.
Currently the only access to Birdsville is from the north. The Birdsville track will remain closed probably till mid May or later.
Check local conditions before travelling into this area. Remember you need to purchase a Desert Parks Pass before travelling across the Simpson. See: www.parks.sa.gov.au, for more information.You can also contact the Desert Parks hotline, 1800 816 078 or contact the Mt Dare Hotel, ph: (08) 8670 7835 or visit: www.mtdare.com.au.
Historic Copper Mine Trail.
This track connects three historic copper mining sites, Sliding Rock, Nuccaleena and the Blinman mine. It is a one-way track that follows the old road that once connected Sliding Rock town with Blinman in the 1870's.
Please contact Stoney at Warraweena CP, ph: (08) 8675 2770 www.warraweena.com.
A real Flinders Experience
Located north west of Blinman in the heart of the Flinders Ranges is Moolooloo Station. There is something for everyone here with breathtaking scenery, bushwalking, 4WDriving, bird watching, horse riding, the historic Nuccaleena Copper Mine, Aboriginal carvings, gorges and natural springs. To plan your next trip, ph: (08) 8648 4861, www.moolooloo.com.au.
Flinders Bush Festival
This annual bush festival will next be held in and around Quorn in the central Flinders Ranges, SA, from the 23rd to 26th April. There will be 4wd trips, open air film nights, markets, 'Tastes of the Outback', bird watching tours, while the town is the centre of the Pichi Richi Railway. For more details visit: www.flindersbushfestival.org.au.
Yorke Peninsula … differently
South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula is one of the most popular holiday spots in the state whether you are into fishing, surfing diving or camping. You can have a different experience and get a completely different perspective about the peninsula by joining any of the tours run by multi award winning, Aboriginal Cultural Tours. For more info, visit: www.adjahdura.com.au.
Dept for Environment & Heritage, SA
Edward Gregory Leaman, Director of National Parks and Wildlife, has authorised the closure to the public -• parts of Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park;
• parts of the Western River Wilderness Protection Are.For all the park closures, check out the website of the E&H at:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/visitor/parkclose.html
Lake Eyre National Park
Water has started to flow into the Warburton Groove, and there is talk that water will again flow into Lake Eyre after all the flooding over recent months from the north. If you want to keep track on how the flow of water is progressing, then have a look at the Lake Eyre Yatch Club website and the image they have: www.lakeeyreyc.com/Status/latest.html#bottom.
Flying from William Creek with Wright Air (ph: (08) 8670 7962; www.wrightsair.com.au) is the best way to view the extravaganza! They are also now running trips to Bedourie and Windorah in outback Queensland, where recent flooding has replenished waterways for water birds. They also have some amazing pictures of the flood waters: www.wrightsair.com.au/floodwaternews.htm.
Kalamurina Station on the Warburton is now owned by Australian Wildlife Conservancy and access is restricted. Cowarie Station nearby offers camping on the Warburton, ph: (08) 8675 8304.
Etadunna Delights Etadunna Station
Situated on the Birdsville Track, Etadunna Station allows 4WDriving on the property and from near the homestead. There is a 20km track to the old Bethseda Mission, situated on the shores of Lake Killapaninna which fills with water when the Cooper floods. Keys have to be collected from the station and access/camping costs apply; Ph: (08) 8675 8308 for details.
Fossil Experience
Fossil remains of a marsupial lion and diprotodon have been discovered near Burra in SA and the DEH have developed a fine visitor experience centred around them and the site where work is still carrying on. For more details contact the DEH's office in Burra, ph: (08) 8892 3025, or you can check out the Visit Burra web site at: http://www.visitburra.com/Megafauna_discoveries/
Wines & Tracks
Bartagunyah Estate, south east of Melrose in the southern Flinders Ranges is a small, rather new winery on a much older surrounding sheep property. While the cellar offers a range of wines, there is an easy 4WD trail to enjoy, which offers great views while a number of campsites can also be enjoyed. For more details, ph: (08) 8666 2136 or on the web vist: www.bartagunyah.com.au.
Stay on the Track at Robe
Rumours have been around that the beach route between Beachport and Robe has been closed … or will be. This is not true. However, at times the route does pass thru private property for short distances – Nora Creina being one – drivers need to slow down and respect the privacy of the people there. A Recreational Vehicles Working Group has been established and the Wattle Rangers 4WD Club has created a detailed colour map of the route which is available free at the Beachport Visitor Info Centre, ph: (08) 8735 8029. For more info on Robe itself check out the web site at: http://www.robe.sa.gov.au/
Outback Experience
Mt Ive station in the Gawler Ranges in the far north of the Eyre Peninsula was established in 1869 and is a working sheep property. It also offers a range of accommodation and camping as well as 4WD tracks and access to the vast salt lake of Lake Gairdner. It’s well worth a visit for a few days. For more details ph: (08) 8648 181, web: www.mtive.com.au.
Camping at Sceale Bay
There’s a well set-up and enjoyable bush camping area now at Sceale Bay, 32km south of Streaky Bay township on the far west coast of SA. Set back a little from the magnificent beach the camp offers toilets, BBQ’s and shelter sheds and is run by Peter and Michelle who can also organise a day out fishing, a 4wd trip, or a day with the seals. Ph: (08) 8626 5006 for more details.
Snorkel with the Seals
You don’t have to be a good swimmer to experience one of the great wildlife experiences of this country. Swimming with the friendly seals of Baird Bay on the west coast of SA is an unforgettable experience. For more details contact Alan and Trish Payne, ph: (08) 8626 5017, or visit: www.bairdbay.com.
Coward Springs Camp
When you are heading up the Oodnadatta Track take the time and stop at the Coward Springs Campground. It's a beauty. The camping area is beside the old Ghan railway line and was previously known as Coward Springs Siding. A bore sunk in 1886 to service the railway has created an extensive wetland that attracts over 100 species of birds.
For more details, ph: (08) 8675 8336 (April to October); web: www.cowardsprings.com.au.
