Googs Track

Goog’s Track was named after John (Goog) Denton who envisioned that a road heading from Ceduna to Tarcoola would be of considerable value to the region. Goog decided to undertake this enormous task in 1976 and with the help from his family, the track was finished in around three years.

Goog’s Track is a single vehicle track that traverses through Yumbarra Conservation Park and Yellabinna Regional Reserve. The trek covers in excess of 300 sand hill crossings and it is recommended that the trek be negotiated from south to north. The journey starts at Ceduna and heads due north until you meet the Transcontinental Railway Line at Malbooma. The trek then heads east and follows the line towards Tarcoola.

To access Googs Track you will need a Permit issued by the SA Department for Environment and Heritage. Permits cost $4 per day per vehicle. So a 3 day stay will only cost you $12. Most of Googs Track is now located within the Yumbarra Conservation Park and the Yellabinna Regional Reserve. Best camping areas are at Googs Lake and at Mount Finke. You will get a small information package and mud map with your permit.

For More Information:

Department for Environment and Heritage
11 McKenzie Street
PO Box 569
Ceduna SA 5690
Australia
Phone: (08) 8625 3144
Fax: (08) 8625 3123

Vermin Proof Fence

All dog fences such as the gate on the eastern perimeter of Yellabinna Regional Reserve and Lake Everard Station must be kept shut at all times. The owners of Lake Everard Station may grant access to Childara Rock but please ask for permission prior. If permission is granted - please do not venture further east from Childara Rock towards the property.

Your vehicle will need to be extensively prepared for remote area travel, with all fuel, water, food and vehicle repair equipment and spare parts. All travellers should read the 4WDriving Topic for related articles and checklists for vehicle setup and driver awareness.

The Department for Environment and Heritage advise vehicles to travel north along the track, due to safety concerns. It is recommended for all travellers to lower tyre pressures to about 60 to 70% of normal highway pressure. This is to avoid damage to the track and consequent track closures.
The nearest FUEL stop is at Ceduna prior to the trip or Glendambo on the Stuart Highway. The recommended campsites are at Googs Lakes and Mount Finke. Firewood can be collected at intervals along the track and should only be used sparingly. Vehicles are prohibited from driving off track and on the lake.
Vehicles should engage 4WD and lower tyre pressures as this helps by making travel easier and protecting the track from becoming severely corrugated.
Vehicles should also carry the appropriate recovery gear, including shovel and air compressor.
Mount Finke is the highest landform at 369 metres. Begin the climb from car park and sign the visitors book located beneath the trig point. The view from the summit is spectacular of the surrounding sea of mallee.
Visitors planning to visit Childara Rock-hole or travel through Lake Everard station strictly need prior arrangement with station management. Telephone: (61 8) 8648 1884.
Respect Aboriginal Cultural sites and please do not remove any artefacts.
Please contact DEH in Ceduna prior to travel for update on road conditions and visitor numbers to the track.

The journey traverses through Yumbarra Conservation Park and Yellabinna Regional Reserve. This area is a nature enthusiasts dream as there are plenty of great wildlife and birdlife to be seen. Mallee fowl and Sandhill Dunnarts are two rare species that are found in this area. Kangaroos, wombats, dingoes and a large variety of birds are also present.

It’s a fascinating story how the Goog’s Track came about. It all started with the purchase of Lone Oak in the mid 1960s where John (Goog) and Jenny Denton had cleared their property for farming. Additional children were born to the Denton’s including Martin, Debbie and Jeffery and they all had nicknames with two being well known. John was nicknamed ‘Goog’ for his interest in eggs as a child and Martin was called ‘Dinger’ by many of his mates.

Goog was very passionate about the area and strongly believed that a road heading through the scrub to the north of his homestead would be extremely viable to the region. It was then in 1973 that he preceded from his farm boundary with a Fordson tractor fitted with a blade to clear scrub and light timber as well as levelling a rather rough track. As the going got tougher, Goog decided to use a bulldozer and with the help from Jenny’s brother Denis and Martin (Dinger) they built a support 4WD out of wrecks lying around. The whole family were involved nearly every weekend for almost three years and one could only imagine how hard and dirty the work was for them. This included driving the bulldozer, bringing up fuel and equipment in the rebuilt 4WDs and clearing stumps and loose sticks. After purchasing a grader, Denis gave the track a more levelled surface making it more suitable for regular traffic. It wasn’t until August 1976 when Goog’s Track had finally met up with another track to the north which was started in 1955 and finishing not far from Mount Finke.

Goog and Dinger and the rest of the family would have been extremely proud of their achievements. Although Goog would have appreciated some support from the government sharing his visions of a major road, his enthusiasm, perseverance and efforts will always be recognised. Today, Goog’s Track is a well known trail for 4WD and adventure enthusiasts alike. John (Goog) Denton and Martin (Dinger) Denton have now passed and there is a memorial dedicated to them just west of Goog’s Lakes. When you are there, please think of them and the work they had undertaken as well as their families. One day, this work may pay off when Goog’s Track is formally recognised as Goog’s Road.