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TRAVELLERS UPDATE - TOURING AUSTRALIA - WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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Keep a check on road and track closures and conditions by looking at the following websites:

Main Roads WA: http://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Pages/Welcome.aspx

Dept of Environment & Conservation:  www.dec.wa.gov.au

DEC Parks, Trails & Road Closures: www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/category/33/910/1558/

 

Black Point and Lake Jasper Closures
The Black Point and Lake Jasper area within the northwest part of the D'Entrecasteaux NP will remain closed until further notice due to the recent bushfire. This includes site closures to Lake Jasper, Black Point, Jasper Beach, Twin Karris and White Point recreation sites and areas. Road closures are also in place for a number of roads. For more info & enquiries, please contact the DEC Kirup Office on (08) 9731 6232, web: www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/category/33/910/1558/.

 

 

Holland Track Meander
You couldn’t get a much better time than now to head out along the Holland Track, which runs 350km between Hyden and Coolgardie in the SW of WA. A book on the track is available from good mapshops, or just Google, ‘Holland Track’ and you’ll end up with a heap of info.

 

Nullarbor Muster
Local pastoralists and many visitors get together and have an action packed weekend at the Rawlinna Nullarbor Muster. This year it will run from the 13th to 15th Apri.
The program consists of novelty and gymkhana events, barrell racing, bull riding, skeet shoot, children's races and a ute muster. For more details, ph: (08) 9022 6435; www.nullarbormuster.org.

 

 

Diggers Bushcamp In Pilbara
A Veterans Retreat is being established on the old Meentheena cattle run east of Port Hedland. It has the Nullagine River passing through it and fairly good roads to and from the proposed camping area, although it is a good three hours drive from Port Hedland.
The setting up of the camp has begun in earnest and any body who is passing that way is more than welcome to drop in and crack a tinny with fellow ex servicemen and women.
For more details contact Norm Whitburn on nwhitburn@bigpond.com.

 

New Wilderness Parks in Kimberley
As part of the proposed Kimberley Wilderness Parks, the Prince Regent reserve will be upgraded to a national park, a number of marine parks will be proclaimed and a conservation reserve corridor will link the Prince Regent NP to the Drysdale River NP. First on the list is a marine park around Camden Sound to protect a humpback whale nursery. To find out more go to: www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6171/2183.

 

 

 

 

4WD trips out of Perth
The popular guide, 4WD Weekends out of Perth, has just been released in its updated third edition and features a couple of new routes along with older favourites. Now with 14 great treks you’ll find the book at 4wd stores, map shops and newsagents.

 

Fuel at Well 23 CSR
There have been rumours around that the Capricorn Roadhouse (ph: (08) 9175 1535) wont be delivering fuel to the fuel dump on the Canning Stock Route at Well 23. Reports of fuel being pinched haven’t been helping matters, and they are trying to sort the security issue out. They will be trying to deliver fuel once the travelling season begins again – check for details.

Fuel is also generally available at the Kunawarritji Aboriginal Community (Well 33), but it pays to be sure - ph: (08) 9176 9040.

 

Fitzroy wilderness camp
Oongkalkada Wilderness Camp is situated on the southern bank of the mighty Fitzroy River in far northwest of WA, about 60km east of the main highway. The camp offers not only some excellent accommodation in upmarket safari tents, but also some unique tours where you’ll be guided by local Aboriginal guides and hear the stories told by the traditional owners of the land. For more info, ph: (08) 9191 7020; www.uptuyu.com.au.

 

 

 

Chile Creek Community Stay
Chile Creek Community Stay is located -2-3 hours drive from Broome on the Dampier Peninsular and is just one of a growing number of camping and accommodation options you can have on the peninsula.

For the self sufficient traveller they have non-powered camping grounds and basic bush style shelters. Chile Creek abounds with coral and sea life making it perfect for snorkelling and diving, or you can throw a line off one of the many isolated beaches and estuaries, head out on a boat for a spot of bottom fishing or troll for an elusive game fish. Other tours are available on request.
For more details visit: www.chilecreek.com, or ph: (08) 9192 4141.

 

 

Camping on the Murchison
Murchison House Station (only 14km from Kalbarri in WA) has recently opened up 4WD camping on the northern side of the Murchison River. Access and camping fees apply. For details check out: http://www.murchisonhousestation.com.au/

 

 

 

 

 

Lancelin Defence Training Area Closed
The Defence of Dept has previously allowed people to travel through the Lancelin Defence Training Area to access Wedge and Cervantes but this is now closed. A sealed alternative, Indian Ocean Drive, now provides access and the Training Area will be policed to prevent unauthorised entry.
Legitimate users, such as bee keepers and the Yued people,  will not be affected by this closure.

 

 

Ningaloo Turtle Centre
As part of the programme to save turtles on the west coast of Australia the Jurabi Turtle Centre has now been opened. Situated 13km from Exmouth township it is situated between a couple of pleasant beaches and close to popular rookery for three threatened turtle species. Amongst other things they run a guided trip to view the turtles.
For more details check out: www.ningalooturtles.org.au.

 

 

 

 

Fabulous Shark Bay
Shark Bay offers some of the best 4WDriving in WA with the sandy tracks within Francois Peron National Park and out to Steep Point being extremely soft and challenging. Then there is the fabulous camping and fishing. For more information on current conditions contact the DEC office in Denham, ph: (08) 9948 1208, or visit: www.sharkbay.org.

Steep Point Access
If you want to head for Steep Point - the most westerly point on the Australian mainland - and camp, the area is booked out till the end of May.
When camping you need to book a campsite and submit a completed access permit before entering the area. Campsites are often full, so submit a permit ASAP. For more details go to: www.steeppoint.com.au.

 

 

New Island National Park - Dirk Hartog Island
Most of Dirk Hartog Island is now national park. We’ve been in touch with DEC WA and they assure us that access and camping will remain the same in the foreseeable future, with even upgraded facilities at Urchin Point Camp and The Block happening soon. For access details see: www.dirkhartogisland.com.

 

 

Hut Stay in D’Entrecasteaux NP
A great new hut … a pretty fancy one at that … with a couple of rooms, large verandah, tables, toilet, paved area and outdoor fireplace is now available for hire in the D’entrecasteaux NP in south-west WA. To make a booking contact the DEC, Pemberton, ph: (08) 9776 1207, or for more information on the park check out the Dept of Environment & Conservation website:
http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/

 

 

 

Marion Downs Station
The remote Marion Downs station in the central Kimberley has been sold to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (www.australianwildlife.org). This 289,000ha property adjoins the AWC’s Mornington station making a private conservation reserve of 640,000ha – one of the worlds biggest. While you can visit and stay at Mornington at their Wilderness Camp, which is a beauty, we can only hope that a similar camp will be established on the Marion property for keen four wheelers to visit.

 

 

 

Official Gibb River Road web site
Created by Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge, and supported by the Gibb River Road Community, this is the official web site of the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley in Western Australia. It's a great site with heaps of information.
http://www.gibbriverroad.net/index.html

 

 

Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge - Gibb River Road, Kimberley - Located in the heart of the King Leopold Range Conservation Park, on Western Australia's spectacular Gibb River Road, Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge is the ideal base for exploring the stunning outback gorge country of the West Kimberley.They are also now offering camping!!!!
http://www.mthart.com.au/

 

 

CSR Permits & Info
The National 4WD Council provides a permit system for access to places along the Canning Stock Route not covered by the public access corridor. This permit allows access to such places as Sunday Well, Durba Springs and others. It does not allow access to Savoury Creek Track, Killagurra Spring, the Calvert Ranges or others. For full details visit: www.anfwdc.asn.au/canning_stock_route.php

 

 

 

Durba Springs Request
Track Care WA have requested that people do not wash down their vehicles at Durba Springs on the CSR. This beautiful camping spot is in danger of being ruined by travellers washing down their vehicles with water from the spring after coming through Savory Creek. The water in Savory Creek is like brine and the salt laden mud from the creek is being transported & deposited at Durba. This will pollute the spring and eventually kill the delightful vegetation and trees. Also please keep showers well away from the springs as soap is already polluting the water supply. Track Care WA web site: www.trackcare.com.au/

 

 

Northwest Events
The fantastic Northwest region of WA (inlcuding the Pilbara& Kimbelrey regions) has a range of terrific events happening during the year. For all the information on dates and events, check out the excellent web site of 'Australia's Northwest' and look up the events links:
www.australiasnorthwest.com.

 

Track Care Info
You can find the latest track closure and opening info at Track Care WA's website, www.trackcare.com.au. It's a beauty.
Recently the Lennard Track, which is a popular 4WD route along the Collie River in the SW of the state, needs a bit more help to ensure it stays open for four wheelers to enjoy. While the local 4WD club is doing a lot of work they need some more help - contact Geoff Couper by emailing info@trackcare.com.au if you can help.

Warlu Way
Taking in most of the tourist highlights between Coral Bay in the south through the rugged red range country of the Pilbara to Karratha and then along the coast to Broome is the newly proclaimed Warlu Way. For more details check out: www.westernaustralia.com

 

Malleefowl Visitor Centre
The Yongergnow Australian Mallefowl Visitor Centre is located in Ongerup, about 150km north of Albany in the south west of WA. Created to support the continual existence of the malleefowl the centre offers interpretive displays, conference facilities, bushwalking trails as well as a well established malleefowl aviary. For more details, ph: (08) 9828 2325 or check out: www.yongergnow.com.au.

 

 

 

 

Eurardy Station
Located 530km north of Perth and adjoining the Kalbarri NP this property is now owned by Bush Heritage Australia. There are around a 100 species of birds and over 600 species of plants making a visit during the wildflower season fantastic. There’s homestead accommodation as well as caravan sites and camping to choose from. For more details contact the reserve managers, ph: (08) 9936 1038, web site: http://www.bushheritage.org.au/our_reserves/state_westernaustralia/reserve_eurardy/eurardy_history/

 

Mining Hall of Fame
When you are next in Kalgoorlie take the time to visit the well set-up Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame. Established at what was the original Hannans North mining lease, which was worked from 1893 to 1952, there’s a great tour underground as well as interactive museum galleries and art works. The Garden of Remembrance is a beauty. Check ou:t http://www.mininghall.com/

 

 

Beach Track Info
If you are heading to a beach in WA check out the website, www.bushtrax.com/. It has a lot of info, pics and GPS plots, all linked with Google Earth maps to highlight points of interest, camping areas and more.

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