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UPDATES TO OUR GUIDE BOOKS - THE KIMBERLEY
From time to time, as updates to the information in our books occur, we will post it here at our updates page. Keep an eye on this section for the very latest news and information that you will not be able to find anywhere else.
Updates to Previous Editions
The KIMBERLEY – An Adventurer's Guide book
Return to main Updates Page
Book Early for Broome
If the last few years are anything to go by finding accommodation and camping in and around Broome on the spur of the moment will be difficult. While most of the camping grounds in Broome don’t take bookings those north around Cape Leveque and Middle Lagoon do. It pays to book!Pg 52
Permits for Aboriginal Land
There’s a new web site to get your permits to travel through Aboriginal land in WA. The new site is: http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/en/Entry-Permits/
Kimberley Closure - pages 178 & 179 - 4th edition
The track past Tablelands HS and through Bedford Downs station in the central Kimberley has been closed and a locked gate has been erected. It seems early travellers winched their way through Teronis Gorge and destroyed this private station track thereby making it all but impassable, except with the use of a winch and that hasn’t pleased the local landowners!
Access from the Gibb River Road end to the delights of Old Mornington Station and the nearby gorges are still possible.
The Purnululu Pass is no longer current. You must pay a one-off entry fee and a camping fee for every night you are there.Pg 110
Wyndham Museum contact number has changed and you can now phone them on (08) 9161 1857.Pg 112
Map - no track access to Spillway Creek or Ord River, as shown on our map. This track actually leads to Roy's Retreat and is private property.
Pg 133
No camping at the Drysdale River crossing itself, as in our trek notes, but there is a range of accommodation and camping at the Drysdale River homestead and very pleasant camping at Miners Pool.
Pg 134
Theda Station is closed to the public – in fact, they don’t want to see the public on their land at all. With that in mind forget going across through Old Theda to the Carson River Escarpment (pg 141).
Pg 136
McGowan Island Camping Ground - Kalumburu - is well worth a look for a camp at Kalumburu - open from April to November. It is right on one of the best beaches with fantastic fishing, oysters and crabbing within easy reach by dingy or off the rocks. Or you take advantage of their Charter Fishing Tours now operating.
The camp ground has showers and toilets, laundry, lawned areas, telephone, internet, boat launching off the beach, fuel (diesel), bulk fuel for boats is available off a dumb barge moored off our beach, Charter Fishing Tours in their 11 meter Surveyed Charter Boat, and mastercard and visa are accepted.It now also has its own web site where you can see the camping and info on facilities, and ph: (08) 9161 4748:
http://www.mcgowanisland.com.au/
Pg 140-141
Theda Station is now owned by the Dunkeld Pastoral Co, and no longer caters to tourists.
Pg 154
Home Valley Station - HV8 - this station has had a MAJOR revamp over the last couple of years. The station, now owned by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) is now an on-site training academy designed for Indigenous men and women from the area.
Australia's ILC continue to expand their vision of offering sustainable employment for town locals and lots of fun for visiting tourists
Accommodation across the Station provides options for travellers of all preferences - from those who prefer their rugged outback adventure with a twist of luxury to those seeking a more intimate experience.
Home Valley Station also provides camping at their Bindoola River Camp, 4km from the Homestead, at the mighty Pentecost River. This picture perfect location is a must-see for all campers seeking the ultimate getaway. The River Camp is famous for its stunning sunsets over the Cockburn Range and abundance of wildlife.
The station also has camping on the Homestead grounds, closed to the Dusty Bar and Grill, Station Store, and the lagoon-style pool. They have powered and non-powered sites, with clean bathrooms, hot showers and flush toilets, gas barbecue facilities and lots of shade.
To check out all that Home Valley now has to offer the traveller, look at their web site, or ph: (08) 9161 4322: http://www.hvstation.com.au/index.php
Pg 155
After the 2001/2002 wet season the facilities at Jacks Waterhole are no more and it is closed. The river is still there but not much else!
Pg 156
Ellenbrae Station, like Theda, is now owned by the Dunkeld Pastoral Co, however it is open to passing travellers with camping and accommodation.
Pg 158
Manning Gorge - The delightful Manning Gorge camping area, one of the most popular sites on the Gibb River Road is open with new toilet facilities.
Pg 160
Galvans Gorge - You can no longer drive to the parking area, 1 km in from the Gibb River Road. You must park your car on the GRR and walk the 1.2 km to the main pool.Pg 162
Adcock Gorge is now a DAY USE AREA and travellers can access this gorge for the day.Mt House Station no longer caters to tourists.
Pg 176
Mornington Wildernes Camp (previously Old Mornington Camp) - The former Kimberley cattle station of Mornington has become a private reserve owned by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. The 300,000 spread takes in four major river systems as well as the impressive gorges cut through the King Leopold Ranges by the Fitzroy River.
There’s pleasant camping at Mornington Wilderness Camp and accommodation in African-safari type tents is also available.
For more info ph: 1800 631 946 or (08) 9191 7406 or check the web at:
www.australianwildlife.org
Note: the phone number detailed on page 179 of the 6th ed is incorrect and should read: (03) 9191 7406.
Pg 177
If you wish to visit Lake Gladstone, you must first obtain permission from Mt House station.Pg 180
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 world's 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. At present it is closed!!
Pg 216
Just north of Beagle Bay, via Broome, is a new spot for tourists to stay called Natures Hideaway Middle Lagoon. Office hours are from 9am -12pm - 1pm - 4pm, or E-mail it to: middlelagoon@telstra.easymail.com.au. It’s a lovely spot and well worth staying a night or two.If you intended going up to Cape Leveque you would need to book in advance. It is a delightful spot, but very popular, being in close proximity to Broome.
Pg 222
Djoodoon camping sites telephone number has changed to (08) 9192 4359.
Pg 237
The Ord River - Canoeing there is no vehicle access or canoe pickup point upriver from where Spillway Creek enters the Ord River. The road just past the Spillway Creek bridges goes to Roy's Retreat only and is private property.
Pg 238
Ord River Canoe Trek - No. 19 - (28km from the Ord River Dam Wall) there is no vehicle access / canoe pickup point to the Ord River.
Pg 280
Northwest Regional Airlines has put on hold for 12 months its regular passenger service between Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek.
