Mulgaria 4x4 track (Andamooka to Farina) – closed for all time!

For a few years now, a few of my crow-eating friends have been extolling the virtues of the 4x4 track linking Roxby/Andamooka with the Flinders Ranges, providing an alternative route to travelling all the way down to Port Augusta & then north again to access the Flinders. This involves taking the rugged track across the northern end of Lake Torrens through Mulgaria and Witchelina Stations to Farina. It has been a track I’ve wanted to do for quite a few years now and on our return from the Great Victoria Desert Expedition this month, an opportunity arose for me to give it a go.

You can imagine my disappointment when ringing Mulgaria, to be informed of the tracks closure. The reason, a party of six vehicles deciding they wanted to do a “Mud Run” a few weeks ago tearing up both the P.A.R. to the station, then all the private station tracks after that. I’ll give the morons their due, they did ring Mulgaria and were told that after nearly 50mm of rain, the roads to Mulgaria, and the private station tracks there on, were closed. Not good enough apparently as these idiots went anyway !

They almost ran down the manager of Witchelina who tried to stop them as they tore though his property. Forewarned, they stormed past the house at Mulgaria (without stopping or even attempting to pay the $15 access fee Mulgaria donates to the RFDS) before the young manager finally ran into them half way across Mulgaria. They tried to jack him up as well before turning about and retracing their route out.Mulgaria and Witchelina are still contemplating action against these imbeciles. After many examples of bad behaviour, this was the last straw for Mulgaria and access through the property on their private tracks is now closed.

Thankfully, after a long chat, and mounting a persuasive argument, the manager conceded to letting my mate Russell and I travel the track across, the last vehicle to do so. On both Mulgaria’s private tracks, and later the P.A.R. out to Farina, we were able to witness the damage done by this group of halfwits. Boys, on behalf of the outback travellers everywhere, you bleep -wits. Your selfish disregard has caused the closure of a track rich in history.

Here’s a small taste of what the rest of us have lost through your selfish actions.