The Gawler Ranges & Mt Ive Station

Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 16:24

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Kevin S - Life Member (QLD)

We are planning to visit the Gawler Ranges and Mt. Ive Station during the next two to three months. We are looking for advise as to how best to approach this area so that we see all the things that are worth seeing and camp in the best spots. We will be approaching from Port Augusta and plan to leave to the north via Kingoonya to the Stuart Highway.

We will be travelling in our Mitsubishi Challenger towing our Coromal Magnum Off Road pop top van and have reasonable experience of negotiating outback unsealed roads.

Cheers,

Kevin

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Reply By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 17:06

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 17:06

First up click on the Gawler Ranges link in your post. The shortest way to Mt Ive is from the turn off near Iron Knob.

Have a look at the 4WD Action Article for some ideas.

And the Mt Ive Station website

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Follow Up By: Kevin S - Life Member (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 20:09

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 20:09

Hi Rod. Good input. Thanks.
Cheers,
Kevin

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Reply By: Les - PK Ranger - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 18:32

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 18:32

If you like a bit of 4WD track for sand and dunes, on the way through you could drive Bucklboo Stock Route, and / or Woolford Tks.
Takes you through Pinkawillinie Cons Pk.

Also, for a more adventurous drive, head out back towards Ceduna and head to the south end of (you can bypass Ceduna and go directly to) Googs Track, and come out up near Tarcoola and continue to Kingoonya etc.

Don't know your van or how it might cope, but should be ok if taking it easy.

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Follow Up By: Member - Wildmax - Thursday, Mar 05, 2015 at 23:34

Thursday, Mar 05, 2015 at 23:34

Don't think the van would cope with Googs Track. Great trip, which we did last year towing a TVan, but anything bigger or less solidly build would find some of the dunes a bit of a challenge I reckon.

Wildmax
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Formerly an AOR Eclipse and a TVan

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Reply By: Member - Warrie (NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 18:34

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 18:34

Hi Kevin, read my blog - Gawler Ranges Grandeur. We went north to south from Kingoonya. The road is 2WD standard. Lake Gairdner 's white salt is a fabulous contrast with the red rocks. Enjoy.... W

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Follow Up By: Kevin S - Life Member (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 20:04

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 20:04

Hi Warrie. I will read your blog with great interest. This is just the kind of information that I am looking for.
Cheers,
Kevin

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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 21:13

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 21:13

X2. That's a great drive.

Cheers

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Reply By: Member-Heather MG NSW - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 18:51

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 18:51

Hi Kevin,

I will be interested to read the replies to your post as Mt Ive and the Gawler Ranges are on my list of places to stay and explore, on our way across to Streaky Bay, before we head to WA.

We will be there in late April hopefully, and are planning to take the turn from near Iron Knob.

We would also like to tow our van from Mt Ive along the road through to Pildappa Rock which joins the Highway at Minnipa, providing it is suitable.

Maybe we will meet up with you again.

regards,

Heather

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Follow Up By: Kevin S - Life Member (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 20:03

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 20:03

Hi Heather. On current planning we will be in the area, if we are able to leave on time, at the end of April. It would be good to catch up. We will stay in touch.
Cheers,
Kevin.

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Follow Up By: Member - Murray R (VIC) - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 21:02

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 21:02

Heather
We did that trip a few years back, the roads were good at that time. While your at St Ive make sure you go out to Lake Gairdner, your index finger will get RSI taking photos. Also do their station tracks.
You can also camp at Pildappa Rock,when you get down to Minnipa, if you head back east to Wudinna go out to Mt Wudinna. It's the second largest monolith in Aust after Ayres Rock. Its one massive granite rock with many others on your way there.
Murray

PS:Kevin this might also be of some interest to you seen your in the area.

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Follow Up By: Member-Heather MG NSW - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2015 at 05:47

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2015 at 05:47

Thanks Kevin, and Murray,

We are awaiting the arrival of a grandson, due around the 25th March, and also have babysitting duties over Easter/first week of school hols. Have told the family we aren't available until October school hols after that...much as I love them all, I am also very keen now to get back out on the road!

We have camped overnight at Pildappa Rock a couple of times and find it a lovely place to stay. Also enjoy walking all around and over the top of the rock.

Would be interested in seeing Mt Wudinna too if we have the time, as we visited and did the walk to the summit of Mt Augustus in WA a couple of years ago...another giant rock, double the size of Uluru I think.

I love to go to places where there is good walking and photo opportunities.

I'll enquire at Mt Ive as to the condition of the roads from there before we tow the van through.

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. John Muir

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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 21:55

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2015 at 21:55

Hi Kevin,

WE spent a couple of days in the Gawler Ranges on the way home from Maralinga. Blog is here. Enjoy your trip.

Cheers,

Val.

J and V
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Reply By: bruce bb1 - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2015 at 09:46

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2015 at 09:46

Another place that may be worth a check of, Pondanna Outstation in the Gawler Ranges on the western end of the Iron Knob, Mount Ives etc. track. I believe that the local Historic association have restored the building and it is possible to stay there. Check with the local ranger who is based in the National Park Office locally. Wise to enquire first in case my info is incorrect, great part of the country regardless
cheers - bb

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Reply By: Kevin S - Life Member (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 05, 2015 at 09:27

Thursday, Mar 05, 2015 at 09:27

Thank you, one ans all, for your input. Now I have some work to do with maps, to work out what we will actually do. But that's always fun.
Cheers,
Kevin

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Reply By: Member - Graham N (SA) - Thursday, Mar 05, 2015 at 20:16

Thursday, Mar 05, 2015 at 20:16

Hi Kevin,
There is some nice walking trails in the Gawler Ranges and a good 4WD track through the middle. Most of the camp sites are usually deserted so you can usually find one on your own, depending on how much you wish to see at least two full days would be needed to see most of the sights.
Mt Ive has been a favourite of ours they have several 4WD tracks and a visit to Lake Gardiner is a must, at least another two full days probably longer if you do all their Tracks.
South of Kingoonya you will find some camping spots in Myall country, this timber in my opinion makes some of the best coals for camp oven cooking (plenty of heat and they last a long time). Kingoonya it self has a nice friendly hotel.

Cheers
Graham

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