Discover 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

AUSTRALIA ALL OVER

Going somewhere and neet a Permit?
On the National 4WD Council website at, www.anfwdc.asn.au/tour_info.cfm, you’ll find handy information on the permits you may require when travelling remote areas of Australia and how to apply for them. This includes permits for national parks, Aboriginal land and some of the tracks and remote regions of Australia that us four wheelers want to visit.

 

 

Emergency Contacts
You should call triple zero (000) first. This will connect you to an operator if you are within range of your normal GSM mobile phone network.
If your mobile phone is out of range, dial 112. This will connect you directly to emergency services - if you are within the range of another GSM operator.

Dialling 112 will connect you to emergency services even if the phone keyboard pad is locked. 112 cannot be dialled from the fixed phone network, and may not be available for CDMA phones - you should check with your phone provider.

 

New Sat Phone Supplier
Thuraya is the latest name to provide sat phone services in Australia.
Compact and stylish the Thuraya SG-2520 phone is a dual mode GSM tri-band and satellite phone. It also features a camera, GPS navigation facilities, is fax and data compatible and offers mobile sat internet access amongst a heap of other hi-tech features. For more info check out www.thurayaphones.com.au, or contact Telstat Communications, ph: (03) 9786 9422; www.telstat.com.au.

 

 

HF to be Affected?
The Australian Government is trialing the use of sending computer broadband services over powerlines (BPL). If this is adopted Australia wide it could well have serious effects on HF transmissions and all uses of HF radios and providers of HF services will notice it! For more info check out: www.vks737.on.net under ‘Bulletins’. You can also check out the web site of ACREM - Australian Citizens Radio Emergency Monitors who are also following this closely.

QUEENSLAND

Outback Events

Saddle up for the Harry Redford Cattle Drive which sets off from Aramac on the 17th May. This three week trip will take you along the Redford Trail; for more details go to: www.aramac.qld.gov.au.

Later in the year in early October you can try your hand and see how good a bush cook you are at the Australian Camp Oven Festival in Millmerran. For details go to: www.australiancampovenfestival.com.au.

There's a host of other ideas and events for the happy traveller heading to the Sunshine state; check out www.queenslandevents.com.au.

Carnarvon Camping
Bush Heritage Australia owns a 59,000ha block of land adjoining the fantastic Carnarvon National Park. You can camp here between April and November and access is restricted to no more than four 4WD vehicles at any one time and you must be totally self sufficient. Or, why not join one of their field trips or working bees. For more info go to: www.bushheritage.org.au.

 

 

 

Discover Guide
Queensland's outback has a great new guidebook that covers the area from the border north to Camooweal and Richmond and west from Cunnamulla to the Simpson Desert. Produced by the Queensland Museum the 350-page full colour book is rich in natural and historic detail, which makes interesting reading and every journey an epic in discovering new and exciting things. The Discover Guide to Outback Queensland is available from all good mapshops for about $33.

 

Fishing out of Weipa
There are few places that can equal Weipa and the surrounding area for exciting action packed fishing. To get into the fish why not hire a houseboat - Weipa Houseboats, ph: (07) 4069 7469 Web: www.weipahouseboats.com.

Or if you really want to get away from it all why not Aurukun Wetland Charters who fish the mouth of the pristine Archer River – ph: (0407) 575 618, web:http://www.aurukunwetlandcharters.com/index.html

  Cape York Alcohol Restrictions (see Updates to our Guide Books)

Skardon River Coast Closed (see Updates to our Guide Books)

NEW SOUTH WALES

Snowy River Festival
Here's plenty of warning for this event which will be run on the banks of the Snowy River at the small high country town of Dalgety in the far south east of the state between the 14-16 Nov. All the mountain cattlemen will be there and there's plenty on offer. For more details check out:
www.snowyriverfestival.com.

 

 

Outback on the Darling
Historic Trilby Station situated on the banks of the Darling River near Louth, about 120km south west of Bourke, offers a range of accommodation and camping. You can explore the property with the help of a mud map, go fishing, bird watching or just enjoy the every day atmosphere of a working station. For more info ph: (02) 6874 7420 or visit: www.trilbystation.com.au.

 

 

Camping on the Nowendoc
Set amongst the picturesque upper Manning Valley the Knorrit Flat Riverside Retreat offers 40 acres of private camping. The river is great for swimming, canoeing and fishing, while the grassy campsites are large and shady with hot showers and flush toilets nearby. For more details see: www.knorritflatrr.com.au.

 

 

Dept of Environment & Climate Change - Plans Released
There has been a number of draft management plans to a wide range of national parks and reserves released by the Dept of Environment and Climate Change. For details go to www.environment.nsw.gov.au and get your comments or your club comments in ASAP.

 

Goldmine Opened
The Three Creeks Goldmine at Bingara is again open to travellers. Worked since the 1880s the owner, Paul Myer, guarantees everyone will find some gold while panning there. You can tour the old mine, pan for gold, enjoy the extensive displays while camping and van sites are also available. For more details, ph: (02) 6783 2224.

 

VICTORIA

Track Closures in the Victorian High Country
Many tracks that were in areas closed to the public because of fire and floods during 2006/2007 have been reopened but still, many remain closed. Some of these are due to be opened up over the next few months. Check out, www.parkweb.vic.gov.au, and go to ‘Before You Go’ for all the details and planned opening dates.

 

 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Cooper Creek Flood
You'll need to keep an eye on the flood coming down Cooper Creek and what that means to access along the Cooper in the vicinity of Innamincka.
Due to rains back in January in Queensland, large volumes of water have caused flooding of the Innamincka area and visitor sites are likely to be flooded for some time. It is recommended to check local conditions and contact the Desert Parks hotline on 1800 816 078 before travelling to the area.

 

Arkaba Camping & Tracks
Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges have upgraded their accommodation to the stage where it was recently voted by a UK newspaper as one of the best five lodges in Australia. But you can still bush camp in a delightful setting on the property, while the self-drive 4WD tracks remain a highlight of any visit to the Flinders.
For more details, ph: (08) 8648 0048, or check the web: www.arkabastation.com.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Kalamurina Station
You could once camp along the Warburton River on this remote outback property but that changed with the new ownership a couple of years back. Now the Australian Wildlife Conservancy are trying to raise funds to buy it. Will they open it to the public? Time will tell - some of their properties are, others are not. See www.australianwildlife.org.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.

 

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY

A 'New' 4WD Route
Linking up routes such as the tracks from Mt Dare in SA through Old Andado to Alice Springs, the Binns Track is the latest four-wheel drive experience for NT visitors looking for a route off the blacktop. Taking seven days or so the adventure finishes in Timber Creek. For more details contact Central Australian Tourism, ph: (08) 8952 5800, web http://en.travelnt.com/experience/driving.aspx

Fuel at Rabbit Flat
We’ve heard that during the winter ‘touristy’ months the Rabbit Flat Roadhouse, half way along the Tanami Road between Halls Creek and Alice Springs, is supposedly open every day of the week. We say ‘supposedly’ as somebody we know found out differently recently. It pays to check – ph: (08) 8956 8744.

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

Tobermorey Station Closed
Tobermorey Station on the NT Border, when you travel the Plenty Highway, have closed their fuel and camping facilities from late last year due to a change of management. Now the only fuel between Alice Springs and Boulia is at Gem Tree and at Jervois station, leaving a run of around 470km without fuel.

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.

 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Permit System for CSR
If you are planning a trip along the Canning Stock Route it’s best to get a permit which will allow you access to some of the iconic spots, although not all, along this fabled route. Go to the ANFWDC website at www.anfwdc.asn.au/permit and you’ll get all the relevant info.

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/

 

 

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 out: www.mininghall.com.

 

 

TASMANIA

Weld Valley Re-opens
At the end of January, Forestry Tasmania re-opened multiple forests sites in the Weld Valley and welcomed the public back into state-managed forested areas. Many areas were closed because of illegal protests and could be closed again if they occur. Hopefully for those who love to horse ride, 4WDrive, trail bike ride and more, they wont! Check out the Forestry Tasmania web site where you can download a brochure on the Valley and a tour map at: www.forestrytas.com.au/topics/2008/01/visit-the-weld