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all you need to know to experience an outback adventure holiday - four wheel
driving, camping, accommodation, facilities, services, and much more.
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
Mundoo Island
Mundoo Island is a privately owned cattle station only 1 1/2 hours drive south of Adelaide in the Coorong on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and is accessed from the Goolwa side of the lake. This unique property is the last farming property on the River Murray - where the river meets the sea, and the station is run over a series of islands nestled in the mouth of the River Murray, the largest being Mundoo Island - 3,000 acres.
Campers wanting to experience this unique environment at the mouth of the Murray River have a number of exclusive sites to choose from and camping is limited to small groups. For bird lovers (the bird life is amazing) and fishermen, walkers and canoeists, and those who want to explore the nearby lakes and the Coorong, this place takes a bit of beating.
There is no public access to Mundoo Island. An entry fee is payable to be escorted to and from your camp site (across the barrage).
You can also enjoy a 1 1/2 hour mini-bus station tour or book a private birdwatching tour (and at the moment the bird life is fantastic) and marvel at the diversity of the unique freshwater / saltwater environments providing varied habitat for numerous bird species.
For more information on the station contact Sally, ph: (08) 8555 2242 or 0418 843 299, or visit: www.mundooisland.com.au.
Beachport - Nora Creina - New Bypass Track
With approval from DEH and the Coastal Protection Board, the Wattle Rangers 4WD Club in conjunction with the Millicent Sand Buggy Club have re-opened existing tracks just behind the beach to bypass Buggy Club grounds at Beachport.
These tracks have not been used for many years.
The purpose of this bypass is to eliminate the possibility of 4WD vehicles and sand buggies crossing paths. Sand buggies in their club grounds may travel at speeds in excess of 10Omph.
A large bulldozer contracted by the Buggy Club for work on their tracks was used to re-cut a 200 metre section of overgrown track. Much work was done clearing and pruning over the following few months.
You are urged NOT to enter into the buggy club grounds at any time. The new section only affects the track between points 15-21 on the Beachport to Nora Creina track.
To read more about it go to the Four Wheel Drive South Australia web site at: http://www.4wdsa.asn.au/trackse.htm#bypass
and to get a copy of the map go to:
http://www.4wdsa.asn.au/willdate/Beachport%20Map.pdf
Tastes of the Outback
Running from the 1st April to the 10th is the very popular Tastes of the Outback centred in and around the Flinders Ranges of SA. There’s plenty of 4WD tracks to enjoy, some great spots to camp and a plethora of fine food. For more info go to: www.tastesoftheoutback.com.au.
Marion Bay Delights
If you are heading down to the southern rugged tip of Yorke Peninsula in South Australia for a spot of diving, surfing or fishing, then Marion Bay could well be the ideal base for you. Check out: www.marionbay.com.au.
Far west coast of SA Appeals
There’s some great fishing, camping and sand and beach driving on SA’s far west coast. Fowlers Bay camp ground makes a good base if you want a few facilities and its central to all the action – ph: (08) 8625 6143 for more details.
Running Robe’s Beaches
The beaches around Robe in the south east of SA offer some of the best beach drives in Australia. They are pretty popular amongst four wheelers but there are a few detours you need to know about and you are also urged not to enter the dune buggy club area. For the latest info and maps visit: www.robe.com.au and www.saafwdc.asn.au/trackse.htm.
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.
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.
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.
Camping at Kalamurina
Kalamurina station, another property owned by Australian Wildlife Conservancy (see www.australianwildlife.org)
has recently re-opened the camping along Warburton Creek in northern SA.
The property is open from June 1st to August 30th, in designated camp sites. Bookings are essential, at least 2 days in advance. There are no facilities; no fishing, vehicle movement is restricted; campfires are not allowed and cost is a pretty hefty $20/person/night. Phone Tess or Mark, (08) 8675 8310.
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/
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.
