ExplorOz Team - David replied:

Excellent Steve our original treknote went that way however we were alerted to the sign. I will see if I can dig up a plot file for it and publish the notes again for that exact route.

If anyone has a plot file for this route please load it in PlotSwap or send it to me and we will publish this not again.

Thanks again for the advice.

David from David and Justine Olsen's 4WD Tag-Along replied:

excellent news steve

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

Steve,
What about the short cut that leaves the Stock route at the railway line, heads north for 7 km, crosses the railway line then heads west past some stockyards directly to Rainbow Valley? We travelled this some years back as it looked like a public road, and there were no signs, but when we got to Rainbow Valley, the sign in the opposite direction said private property.

MEMBER - Darian (SA) replied:

The mis-informing of tourists, by some outback locals is an art form in some parts of the bush (especially if they don't sell any goods and services to tourists). As those tax paying tourists, its our job to see through the bulldust where and when we can ! and if nothing else, it often saves us hard fuel dollars !! Thanks Steve.

Willem replied:

G'day Steve

Didn't know there was a sign on the gate. The Hugh River Stock Route has always been Public Access since the year dot

North along the railway line and into Rainbow Valley there have been signs erected for years but some of us take scant notice.

South towards Idracowra and the signs are prevalent. Idracowra pastoral lease owners are reknowned for being nasty. Railway authorities like to flex their muscles in signs but the truth is that there is no one out there except the odd railwayline technician.

Not sure if the old track via the Idracowra fence to Chambers Pillar off the Rail corridor is still open. Haven't been down that way for a while but have travelled the track on a number of occasions. No need to go to these places any more...been there done that....lol



Cheers

Motherhen replied:

The Wattos reported on their trip with their Phoenix caravan in May last year. They encountered no problems with the Hugh River Stock Route. I'm sure they would not go on a road if it was closed to the general public, or signed as such without checking out the legalities. They took a few other tracks after that. They are the one's who went along the transcontinental railway after checking that it was OK to do so. They went via the transcontinental again this year.

Motherhen